Appearing before United States District Judge Alia Moses, 43-year-old Rogelio Mata and 44–year-old Roel

Mata pleaded guilty to one count of federal programs bribery. As a result of their guilty pleas, the defendants

face up to ten years in federal prison; a fine of up to $250,000; a $12,291.73 monetary judgment; and, forfeiture

of approximately $1,000 in U.S. currency seized by authorities during this investigation. Sentencing has yet to

be scheduled.

By pleading guilty, the defendants admittedly used their official positions since February 2015 to enrich

themselves by soliciting and accepting cash bribes from persons seeking to do business in Crystal City. The

defendants also admitted that they voted in 2015 to award a contract to a person who had provided them with

cash bribes.

Rogelio Mata and Roel Mata are the second and third defendants to enter guilty pleas in this case. On May 26,

2016, 38-year-old businessman Ngoc Tri Nguyen pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery

involving an entity receiving over $10,000 in federal funds. By pleading guilty, Nguyen admittedly paid $6,000

in bribes in exchange for various official acts from his co-defendants. Nguyen, who faces up to ten years in

federal prison, is scheduled for sentencing at 3:00pm on November 9, 2016, in Del Rio before Judge Moses.

Former City Attorney and City Manager William James Jonas, age 54, former Crystal City Mayor Ricardo

Lopez, age 40, and former City Councilman Gilbert Urrabazo, age 45, all remain under indictment charged with

one count of conspiracy to commit bribery involving an entity receiving over $10,000 in federal funds. Jonas

also faces three substantive federal programs bribery charges. Lopez and Urrabazo also faces one substantive

federal programs bribery charge. The matter is currently scheduled for Docket Call on October 11, 2016.

This ongoing joint investigation is being conducted by the FBI and the San Antonio Police Department with

assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigative Division and the Texas Rangers.

Individuals who have first-hand information about corruption, fraud, or bribery related to Crystal City are urged

to contact the FBI at (210) 225-6741.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jay Hulings and William R. Harris are prosecuting this case on behalf of the

Government.