Chavez, pleading of non-guilt to federal charges of bribery, will now be taken and set for a jury trial to commence on Tuesday April 18, 2017 unless changes from either the defendant or the court are requested and agreed upon.
It is reported that Chavez’s attempt to file a motion to dismiss indictment was ultimately denied by U.S. District Judge Alia Moses on the determination that the motion was to be filed or attempted to be set into play at a late time.
Chavez ‘s motion to dismiss indictment was based on the supposed indictment against his person/company is deemed defective because there is, and wasn’t a contract between Maverick County/ Maverick County Solid Waste Authority (MCSWA) and the engineering firm Chace Management in question on the served indictment.
Chavez will now have the option to continue representing himself or can proceed to seek legal counsel, but must do so in a timely manner due to certain requisites and deadlines that come with counsel representation and proceeding to trial as well.
It would seem Chavez will continue pro se and will go to court defending himself.
Chavez is now scheduled to hold a status conference with the court on January 24, 2017 proceeding to trial by the date given of April 18, 2017.
FBI agents arrested 67-year-old Eagle Pass City Manager Hector Chavez, Sr., on federal bribery and obstruction charges related to his participation in a “pay-to-play” scheme involving a Maverick County landfill contract.
A four-count federal grand jury indictment, unsealed charges Chavez with one count each of paying a bribe to an agent of an organization receiving federal funds; falsification of records in a federal investigation; obstruction of justice; and false statement to a federal agent.
The indictment alleges that from about May 2012 through June 2012, Chavez, doing business as Chace Management, paid a total of approximately $20,000 in bribes to a Maverick County commissioner, intending to influence and reward that commissioner for securing a contract for the County landfill project. The indictment also alleges that Chavez forged a personal services contract to conceal from authorities the kickbacks he paid to the Maverick County commissioner; and, that he provided this falsified contract in response to a federal grand jury subpoena in an attempt to obstruct justice. The indictment further alleges that Chavez then made false statements to federal law enforcement agents concerning the legitimacy of this contract.
Upon conviction, Chavez faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the falsification of records and obstruction charges; up to ten years in federal prison for the bribery charge; and, up to five years in federal prison for making a false statement to a federal agent.
An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.