Woman Linked To Violent Gang Worked For U.S. Public Defender’s Office
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Woman Linked To Violent Gang Worked For U.S. Public Defender’s Office
Officials say a woman accused of ties to a violent gang in Mexico worked for years for the U.S. Public Defender’s Office in Texas.
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(February 12, 2008)--Officials are saying a woman accused of having ties to Mexico's violent Barrio Azteca gang worked for years in the U.S. Federal Public Defender's office.

Sandy Valles New was arrested last week as part of a federal racketeering case targeting the gang's members and associates.

FBI agents believe the 57-year-old woman has been an associate of the gang since 2000.

Federal Public Defender Henry J. Bemporad says she worked as a paralegal and in the investigations section of the defender's El Paso office from 1996 to 2002.

New, who has an address in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, was arrested at the border crossing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.

More than a dozen people have been indicted in the ongoing racketeering case.

Federal investigators have said Barrio Azteca partnered with the violent Vicente Carrillo Fuentes drug cartel in Juarez, allegedly to provide security to the cartel in exchange for a discount on narcotics.

Juarez is across the Rio Grande from El Paso.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 13, 2008 at 01:20 PM

First,Christine go back to sleep and when you wake up this time don't forget to take your meds. people today don't know who important it is to do a background check on people hired for certain jobs,and how dangerous it is not to give information on certain people.It is clear to see that it is very important to do this in the day and time swe live in now.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Mike Location: waco on Feb 13, 2008 at 10:07 AM

Here we go just another example of the corruption that runs rampent throughout South Texas. Head down to the valley and report a small crime (hit and run, vehicle break in, petty theft) if you are anglo and do not speak english you will never hear form the authorities again
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: jack Location: hewitt on Feb 12, 2008 at 04:23 PM

and 9/11 was an inside job and the government took down building 7 too. give it a rest
[ Report Abuse ]
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