DUVAL COUNTY (Kiii News) -
It was last week that two former deputy sheriffs from Duval County entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Sentencing for them is set for Nov. 16.
Duval County Sheriff Romeo Ramirez says he is very disappointed in his former deputies, and he does feel betrayed.
Last week, in a federal court in McAllen, 35-year old Ruben Silva and 27-year old Victor Carrillo pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The U.S. Attorney's Office said Silva admitted he conspired with Carrillo and others to distribute 10 kilograms of cocaine, which they would steal from a drug supplier.
Officials said both Silva and Carrillo participated in the conspiracy by performing a pretend traffic stop, using their official Duval County Sheriff's vehicles, and while in uniform, making the owner of the narcotics believe law enforcement had seized the drugs.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said Silva received $5,000 as payment for his role in the drug distribution conspiracy, and Carrillo received $1,000 from that payment.
"I believe that justice was served," Ramirez said. "I don't believe anybody is above the law. We are held to a much higher standard, so we have to uphold the law, not break the law. Obviously, since they plead guilty, then there was more than enough evidence that they somehow conspired to try to traffic narcotics."
The sheriff said he and his department have since moved on, hiring five new deputies in the past couple of months. Meanwhile, Silva and Carrillo face a minimum of 10 years up to life in prison, as well as a possible $10 million fine.
