EL PASO, Texas (AP) – A prosecutor in Texas is promising to review about 100 drug cases that were dismissed by a state judge who has been indicted on federal charges.
A federal grand jury in El Paso indicted State District Judge Manuel Barraza this past week on four counts including mail fraud, wire fraud and lying to a federal agent.
The indictment alleges the 53-year-old judge took cash bribes and asked for sex from defendants in exchange for his help in felony cases.
District Attorney Jaime Esparza said that the cases Barraza dismissed will be reviewed to determine if justice was served. He told the El Paso Times that charges may be refiled in some cases.
The state has suspended the judge from his $140,000-a-year post. He is free on bail.
AP-ES-04-04-09 1449EDT
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