WASHINGTON – The Panama Unit, an elite counter-drug task force in Hidalgo County, Texas, turned into a house of cards for corrupt law enforcement officers. Instead of capturing drug dealers, the officers stole from those dealers and selling the drugs for a profit. AUSA James H. Sturgis brought the corrupt officers to justice, obtaining indictments against more than a dozen people, including the Hidalgo County Sheriff, his top commander, and several deputies, local police officers, the local CrimeStoppers coordinator, and others on drug, money laundering, and conspiracy charges. The corrupt officers pleaded guilty and were sentenced to a combined total of 114 years in prison.
Thanks to Sturgis’ diligence, the citizens of Hidalgo County and South Texas are reassured that no law enforcement officer is above the law, and that those who violate the laws, especially those in positions of public trust, will be prosecuted and punished.
The Panama Unit’s corruption scheme was a brazen display of law enforcement gone rogue. The officers, who were supposed to be fighting the war on drugs, were instead lining their own pockets with ill-gotten gains. Sturgis’ investigation and prosecution of the corrupt officers brought a measure of justice to the community and served as a reminder that law enforcement officers will be held accountable for their actions.
Sturgis’ work on the Panama Unit corruption case is a testament to his dedication to upholding the law and ensuring that justice is served. His efforts have made a significant impact on the community and have helped to rebuild trust in law enforcement.
The case against the Panama Unit members was a complex and challenging one, but Sturgis persevered and saw it through to its conclusion. His commitment to justice and his refusal to back down in the face of adversity are qualities that are essential for a prosecutor.
As the citizens of Hidalgo County and South Texas can attest, Sturgis’ work on the Panama Unit corruption case has made a real difference in their lives. His dedication to justice and his commitment to upholding the law have helped to create a safer and more just community.
In addition to Sturgis, three other employees of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas were honored at the 32nd annual Director’s Awards Ceremony for their superior performance as criminal Assistant U.S. Attorneys. AUSAs Martha A. Minnis and Katherine L. Haden were recognized for their successful criminal prosecution of a family-run fraud business, the Jariv family, which operated a telemarketing timeshare scheme out of Las Vegas, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston. Using nearly a dozen company names, the Jariv family and their employees targeted nearly 1,000 timeshare owners, many retired and elderly, in a $13 million advance fee fraud that lasted from 2007 until 2012. The prosecution resulted in the conviction of seven defendants and the immediate restitution of $2.25 million for the victims.
Also honored was AUSA Andrew A. Bobb for superior performance as a civil AUSA. Bobb reached remarkable civil fraud settlements in eight separate matters, recovering nearly $115 million that had been defrauded from the nation’s taxpayers. Assembling and leading teams of investigators from various federal agencies, Bobb overcame determined opposition from physicians, hospitals, diagnostic testing facilities, and corporations, and achieved unparalleled positive results in the fight against fraud.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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