Former Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office Chief Of Staff Pleads Guilty

McALLEN, Texas - Maria Patricia Medina, 40, has entered a guilty plea to one count of misprison of a felony, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Medina was the former chief of staff for former Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Trevino.
 
The investigation revealed that during 2011 and 2012, the former sheriff received cash contributions from alleged drug trafficker, Tomas “El Gallo” Gonzalez. Medina, who was the chief of staff and campaign treasurer, admitted she assisted Trevino in the concealment of the donations by falsifying election records.
 
Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa accepted the plea today and has set sentencing for July 3, 2014. At that time, Medina faces up to three years in federal prison and a potential fine of $250,000.
 
The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Texas Department of Public Safety, Rangers Division. Assistant United States Attorneys James Sturgis and Anibal Alaniz prosecuted the case.