Jury convicts former Cameron County DA on 7 out of 9 charges of corruption
A federal jury late Friday found former Cameron County District Attorney Armando R. Villalobos guilty of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and five counts of extortion, while acquitting him of two other counts of extortion.
The jury convicted on one extortion count concerning $200,000 that ex-partner Eddie Lucio received from a murder case, and another count involving paying former state District Judge Abel C. Limas $9,600 to $9,700 to squelch the inquiry into a murder case and five other extortion counts.
He was found not guilty of extortion on a count that alleged he received $5,000 in a series of payments for cases and another count that alleged he extorted attorney Oscar de la Fuente Jr. on seven cases.
Nearly five hours into deliberations in Day 11 of Villalobos’ trial, the jury sent a note to presiding U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen: “Two jurors will not open their minds to the other side.” The jury also advised that jurors were getting angry.
More at http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/local/article_5c228f2c-c4ea-11e2-a12c-0019bb30f31a.html .