Print VersionApril 10, 2007
LABORATORY WORKER CHARGED WITH FABRICATING TEST RESULTS TO UNITED STATES PROBATION OFFICE
(LAREDO) An employee of a Laredo laboratory which contracts with the United States Probation Office to collect and test urine samples for drugs has been charged with falsifying probationer lab reports to the Probation Office, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.
Santos Vasquez, 48, of Laredo, was named in a six count indictment returned by a Houston grand jury on Wednesday, April 4, 2007. Vasquez was arrested today by special agents of the Laredo Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation at his place of employment in Laredo. Vasquez appeared before a United States Magistrate Judge this morning. The court has ordered that Vasquez may be released on bond. Arraignment has been set for Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 11:00 a.m.
According to allegations in the criminal indictment, on November 28 and December 11, 2006, Vasquez certified reports to the United States Probation Office falsely stating that he had collected the urine samples of a probationer according to established procedures. Vasquez is also accused of having lied when he reported that probationers had not admitted to using drugs.
The indictment charges Vasquez with two counts of Making False Statements to a Federal Agency which carries a maximum punishment of five years imprisonment. Vasquez is also charged with two counts of Tampering With Evidence and two counts of Falsification of Records in a Federal Criminal Investigation. Each of these four counts carries a maximum punishment of 20 years imprisonment upon conviction.
The investigation leading to criminal charges was conducted by Special Agents of the Laredo Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Gary Cobe.
An indictment is an accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.
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