The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the indictment and arrest of Webb County (Laredo, Texas) Precinct 1 Commissioner Kristopher Michael Montemayor on Wednesday after being charged with two counts of bribery according to a press release and court documents obtained by Breitbart Texas.
Court documents reveal that Montemayor took office as a county commissioner on January 1, 2013. Between July, and October of that same year, Montemayor allegedly accepted two bribes from two different people. If found guilty on these charges, Montemayor could face up to 10 years in federal prison for each count of the indictment, according to the DOJ. Montemayor could also face a fine of up to $250,000 for each offense.
In September, 2013, Montemayor allegedly accepted and used a 2012 Ford truck, valued around $37,015 from a man and his spouse in exchange for government jobs for the couple.
The second count of the indictment claims that around that same time period, Montemayor allegedly entered into an agreement with a man he believed to be a Laredo business man where he accepted $11,000 in addition to electronic equipment (cell phones and iPads valued at $2,721.16). Montemayor allegedly promised to take official action to promote the business interests of the business owner. According to the indictment, the business owner turned out to be an undercover FBI agent.
Forfeiture charges were also filed, notifying Montemayor that, if convicted, he will forfeit the $11,000 in cash, two iPhones, two 128GB Wifi iPads with cases and accessories.
Court documents revealed Montemayor appeared in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker where Montemayor was advised of the charges against him. Bail was set at $75,000 and an Arraignment Hearing was set for March 26th where Montemayor will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Son Quiroga where he will enter his initial plea.
Montemayor Indictment by BreitbartTexas
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