HALL OF SHAME ROLLS GAIN ANOTHER SHERIFF

Former Cameron County Sheriff Conrado Cantu would have been wise to
heed his own advice.

It could have kept him a free man.

Instead of avoiding gangs, saying no to drugs and leading an honest
life as he used to advise school children during Red Ribbon Week,
Cantu chose to dishonor the badge he carried.

He was sentenced last week to 24 years in federal prison after
pleading guilty to charges of protecting drug traffickers, illegal
gambling and money laundering.

In a long rambling plea for leniency before the bench, the
Express-News reported, Cantu claimed he violated the law while lost
in sin and alcohol.

Fortunately the judge did not buy into Cantu's courtroom
theatrics.

Cantu brought disgrace to his office, his community and his family.
He has earned the right to spend a couple of decades behind without a
chance for parole.

Court records indicate Cantu started abusing his county post within
days of being sworn into office in January 2001.

Federal officials allege Cantu and his associates took more than $2
million in bribes and protection money from the very crooks they were
supposed to be taking off the streets.

After his arrest, it was discovered the former sheriff was leading a
double life, according to media reports. He had a wife of 20 years in
the Valley and a new family across the border in Matamoros.

Cantu has the dubious honor of being the fifth South Texas sheriff
handed a prison sentence on federal corruption charges during the
last 11 years.

U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle's stiff sentence for Cantu should
send a loud and clear message to all elected officials who might have
the slightest temptation to break the law.

That message is plain: Criminal behavior, especially among law
enforcement officials, will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted
to the full extent of the law.