September 27, 2010
Laredo, Texas (HNNUSA) - A federal jury has convicted suspended Laredo Police Department (LPD) officer Orlando Jesus Hale, 27, aka, "El Chacho," of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and using a firearm in furtherance of that drug offense, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced Monday in a press release. The trial of Hale, from Laredo, began on Sept. 20. Jury deliberations began on Sept. 24 and, after a weekend recess, resumed today and concluded with the return of the verdicts late Monday morning.
The jury convicted Hale of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine between Oct. 15, 2008, and Nov. 30, 2008, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possessing the firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime between Nov. 7 and Nov. 25, 2008.
During the trial, evidence was presented showing that Hale and a fellow LPD officer, Pedro Martinez III, met with an FBI undercover agent posing as a drug dealer in a hotel room in Laredo on Nov. 7, 2008. During the recorded meet, Hale and Martinez discussed how the two officers could escort loads of 20 kilograms each of cocaine from south to north Laredo using their personal vehicles and police-issued radios to monitor dispatch traffic.
On Nov. 13, 2008, first Martinez, then Hale, each escorted a load vehicle during afternoon rush-hour traffic. Each vehicle contained 20 kilograms of sham cocaine person. On Nov. 25, Hale and Martinez arranged to meet the payoff person in San Antonio, Texas, to receive payment for the protective escort services they had provided. Hale and Martinez each received $1,000 from another undercover agent posing as the organization’s moneyman. Martinez, who pleaded guilty prior to trial, testified against Hale.
The drug conspiracy conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment along with a $4 million fine. The firearms conviction charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment upon conviction, which must be served consecutive or upon completion of any term of imprisonment imposed for the underlying drug offense as well as a $250,000 fine. Sentencing has been set for Jan. 10, 2011. Hale has been permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Immigration Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and Customs Border Protection with the assistance and cooperation of the LPD. Assistant United States Attorney Roberto F. Ramirez prosecuted the case.
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Laredo, Texas (HNNUSA) - A federal jury has convicted suspended Laredo Police Department (LPD) officer Orlando Jesus Hale, 27, aka, "El Chacho," of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and using a firearm in furtherance of that drug offense, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced Monday in a press release. The trial of Hale, from Laredo, began on Sept. 20. Jury deliberations began on Sept. 24 and, after a weekend recess, resumed today and concluded with the return of the verdicts late Monday morning.
The jury convicted Hale of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine between Oct. 15, 2008, and Nov. 30, 2008, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possessing the firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime between Nov. 7 and Nov. 25, 2008.
During the trial, evidence was presented showing that Hale and a fellow LPD officer, Pedro Martinez III, met with an FBI undercover agent posing as a drug dealer in a hotel room in Laredo on Nov. 7, 2008. During the recorded meet, Hale and Martinez discussed how the two officers could escort loads of 20 kilograms each of cocaine from south to north Laredo using their personal vehicles and police-issued radios to monitor dispatch traffic.
On Nov. 13, 2008, first Martinez, then Hale, each escorted a load vehicle during afternoon rush-hour traffic. Each vehicle contained 20 kilograms of sham cocaine person. On Nov. 25, Hale and Martinez arranged to meet the payoff person in San Antonio, Texas, to receive payment for the protective escort services they had provided. Hale and Martinez each received $1,000 from another undercover agent posing as the organization’s moneyman. Martinez, who pleaded guilty prior to trial, testified against Hale.
The drug conspiracy conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment along with a $4 million fine. The firearms conviction charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment upon conviction, which must be served consecutive or upon completion of any term of imprisonment imposed for the underlying drug offense as well as a $250,000 fine. Sentencing has been set for Jan. 10, 2011. Hale has been permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Immigration Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and Customs Border Protection with the assistance and cooperation of the LPD. Assistant United States Attorney Roberto F. Ramirez prosecuted the case.
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