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Show Friday, Aug. 28, 2009 AggieLife Recession’s grip on economy easing Special agent supervisor Ernie Limon (right) said, “When you take these much narcotics, violence occurs.” during a news conference at the Imperial County Enforcement Coordination Center in Imperial, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 26, with California Attorney General Jerry Brown announing the 16 indictments and seizure of more than 550 lbs of cocaine and marijuana following the infiltration of the Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel. AP photo Texas sheriff among those sentenced in drug ring McALLEN, Texas (AP) — A former South Texas sheriff and a Houston elementary school teacher were among 11 people sentenced to prison Thursday for their role in a conspiracy that moved marijuana and cocaine from Mexico, through Houston and as far as Delaware. The sheriff’s involvement illustrated how intertwined public corruption and drug trafficking are even on the U.S. side of the border. Since late 2006, more than 80 law enforcement officers working on the U.S.-Mexico border at the local, state and federal level have been convicted of corruption-related charges, according to an Associated Press tally. U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced former Starr County Sheriff Reymundo “Rey” Guerra to 64 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release for helping Mexican smugglers move drugs through his county in exchange for thousands of dollars in bribes. The sentence was less than the eight to 10 years recommended under federal sentencing guidelines, but Guerra admitted his guilt early and cooperated with authorities, Crane said. FBI agents arrested Guerra at his office in October as part of operation “Carlito’s Weigh.” Prosecutors termed Guerra a “minor participant” in the drug trafficking conspiracy that so far has netted indictments against 28 people. Guerra, 52, who prosecutors said made it easier for drugs to move through his county, pleaded guilty in May to conspiring to distribute narcotics. He apologized Thursday to his family, community and “to the men and women who wear the badge. I’m sorry I let them down.” Crane told Guerra that “it’s a stain on the badge when somebody in your high position Page 7 engages in organized crime like this.” “For really pennies, nickels, you were influenced by these people,” the judge said. Guerra received one payment of $3,000 and several more payments of $3,000 to $5,000, but authorities aren’t sure how much he actually earned in bribes. His attorney Philip Hilder said the money came as gifts from lead defendant Jose Carlos Hinojosa and was not paid in direct exchange for information from Guerra. By sharing information, and in at least one instance providing false information so a deputy would close a case related to the drug trafficking operation, Guerra made it easier for Hinojosa to move drugs through his county, prosecutors said. Hinojosa, who is still awaiting sentencing, had once worked in law enforcement in Mexico. He later began working for the Zetas, the brutal enforcers of the Gulf Cartel. Assistant U.S. Attorney Toni Trevino said investigators had no evidence Guerra ever cleared an area of law enforcement so that drug loads could move through his county. But he did tell Hinojosa when there would be extra patrols so smugglers could avoid them. Guerra complicated the ongoing investigation of Hinojosa’s smuggling ring because federal agents had to limit their activities in Starr County for fear that Guerra would alert Hinojosa, Trevino said. The wide-ranging indictment swept up those who organized the drug smuggling across the border, drivers who carried drugs to Houston and brought the cash proceeds back to South Texas and distributors who mailed drugs to customers as far away as Delaware. WASHINGTON (AP) — Evidence is mounting that the longest recession since World War II is losing its grip on the U.S. economy. The latest hint is due Friday when the government releases data on consumer spending and income for July. Personal spending is expected to have posted a modest gain last month, driven higher by the popular Cash for Clunkers program. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect personal spending rose 0.2 percent in July after a 0.4 percent gain in June. Economists believe that personal incomes, the fuel for future spending increases, probably rose 0.2 percent as well, following a 1.3 percent decline in June. On Thursday, a report confirmed that the economy shrank at an annual rate of just 1 percent in the spring. Many analysts say growth likely returned in the current quarter. Smaller dips in consumer spending and other areas during the April-June period led some economists to raise their forecasts for the July-September quarter. But with unemployment aid claims stubbornly high, Americans may benefit little from a recovery if jobs remain scarce and spending stays too low to fuel a strong rebound. The Commerce Department estimated that the U.S. gross domestic product, the broadest gauge of economic health, shrank at an annual rate of 1 percent in the second quarter. The new estimate of the nation’s output of goods and services was the same as an earlier estimate released last month. Nothing: A change from pressing somethings -continued from page 3 questions is to provoke stimulating thought, not answers, and the point of my columns this year is not to leave you scratching your head at the obliquitous words I use, but to bring your attention to the quixotic wanderings and outlandish nothings of my mind. Feel free to e-mail me any sort of nothings of your own. Melissa Condie is a senior majoring in music education. Her column will appear here weekly. Contact her at m.condie@aggiemail.usu.edu FREE WI-FI THE $4.00 COMBO MEAL Includes any two super value sandwiches plus small french fries and a small soft drink. Present this coupon at any of the above northern Utah Wendy’s® Restaurants and receive our $4.00 COMBO MEAL (Limit 1 order per coupon) AVAILABLE AT THESE NORTHERN UTAH LOCATIONS: 1305 N. Main Logan, UT 84321 891 So. State HWY 89-91 Logan, UT 84321 810 S. Main Smithfield, UT 84331 2280 W. Main Tremonton, UT 84337 ©2009 Oldemark, LLC. 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