Santa Cruz County Deputy Arrested for Drug Smuggling

TUCSON, AZ—Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriff Jesus R. Contreras, 29, and Ernesto Castro, 38, both of Nogales, Arizona were arrested by the Southern Arizona Border Corruption Task Force on federal drug trafficking and gun charges yesterday. Both were ordered detained at their initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Thomas Ferraro. A detention hearing is set for May 7, 2010.

“Arizona’s law enforcement officers have a duty to uphold the law on our border, where many temptations lurk. The vast majority do so with honor,” said Dennis K. Burke, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. “I want to thank the Southern Arizona Border Corruption Task Force for their excellent work on this investigation, and especially the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office for their assistance.”

On April 28, 2010, a federal grand jury in Tucson returned an indictment against Contreras for drug trafficking and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and against Castro for drug trafficking. The indictment alleges that beginning at a time unknown, through March 2, 2010, the defendants conspired to transport 5 kilograms of cocaine. The government alleged at today’s hearing, that Contreras transported the cocaine through the I-19 checkpoint in his marked patrol vehicle, while Contreras was wearing his Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s uniform and carrying a gun. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff has terminated Contreras’ employment.

Convictions for conspiracy, and possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine each carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a $4 million fine or both. The gun charge carries a mandatory consecutive five year sentence and a $250,000 fine or both. In determining an actual sentence, Judge Jorgenson will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Southern Arizona Border Corruption Task Force, made up of agents for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service Office of Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility, U.S. Border Patrol, the Tucson Police Department, and with assistance from the Counter Narcotics Alliance and Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution is being handled by Mary Sue Feldmeier, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.

CASE NUMBER: CR-10-09120TUC-CKJ-JCG

RELEASE NUMBER: 2010-085(Contreras, Jesus R., et. al.)