United States

Ex-Top Staffer to South Texas Sheriff Gets Prison

The former chief of staff to former Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Trevino has been sentenced to 11 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to failing to report a crime.

A federal judge in McAllen sentenced Maria Patricia Medina on Thursday. U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa also fined her $2,000.

The 40-year-old Medina could have been sentenced to up to three years in prison for her April 11 guilty plea.

Prosecutors say Trevino received cash donations from a suspected drug trafficker in 2011 and 2012. Medina, as chief of staff and campaign treasurer, admitted helping Trevino conceal the donations by falsifying election records.

Trevino was sentenced to five years in prison July 17 after pleading guilty to money laundering. He resigned as sheriff March 28.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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