El Paso State Court District Judge Charged by Federal Authorities with Wire and Mail Fraud

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that El Paso Criminal District Court Judge Manuel Joseph Barraza, aka Manuel Saavedra, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in El Paso, Texas, on five counts of wire fraud and the deprivation of honest services, mail fraud and the deprivation of honest services and making false statements. He was arrested this morning at his residence and had his initial appearance this afternoon in El Paso where bond was set at $10,000.00 Upon conviction he faces up to twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the fraud counts and up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the false statements charge.

According to the indictment, Judge Manuel Barraza solicited, agreed to accept and accepted bribes in the form of cash money and solicited sex and agreed to accept a bribe of engaging in sexual activity with women, in exchange for his influence and exercise of discretion in his official capacity as an elected Judge. In carrying out his bribery scheme, Judge Barraza promised to intervene in a felony criminal case filed by the State of Texas pending in state district court against Jane Doe in order to influence the outcome of the case against Jane Doe.

“Today’s arrest highlights the FBI’s continued commitment to the detection and investigation of public corruption schemes being committed in our area. The use of a public position for private gain is illegal and will not be tolerated. I would like to ask any members of the public with information that may be similar to the conduct alleged in this case to call the El Paso Division of the FBI at 915-832-5000,” stated Special Agent in Charge David Cuthbertson.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted for the government by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Gregory.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.