FRIO SHERIFF DEFENDED Opting to stand behind their beleaguered sheriff, who last week pleaded guilty to felony drug and theft charges, Frio County commissioners Tuesday refused to consider a motion requesting the sheriff's immediate resignation. Referring to Sheriff Carl H. Burris, Commissioner Jose Flores said after the meeting: "The man is down. Why do we want to go and kick him in the face?" County Judge Carlos A. Garcia had sought commissioners' support in draftinga letter asking Burris to resign. Afterward, Garcia expressed disappointment in the commissioners' refusal to distance themselves from an admitted lawbreaker. "I've gotten several phone calls from people asking why should they be brought to court if the sheriff is still in charge," Garcia said. "It's a good question. They have a point there. It's ironic people are being arrested by that department." On Oct. 3, Burris pleaded guilty in federal court to felony theft and drug charges. He admitted pocketing $7,726 confiscated during a 1994 traffic stop. Compounding the theft, Burris also admitted that in 1997 he tried to sell about 260 pounds of seized marijuana in order to replace the money. Despite the plea, a judge's ruling last week allowed Burris to get his service weapon back. Explaining his order, U.S. Magistrate Judge John Primomo cited manpower shortages and an ongoing investigation into a triple murder. Burris' weapon was confiscated two years ago when federal officials first began their inquiry. Flores said that while he would like to see the sheriff resign, he opted not to support the proposal because it wouldn't have carried much weight. "The sheriff has already said that he wasn't going to resign," Flores said. "The letter wouldn't have done no good." Any conviction is not final until sentencing, a legal phase Burris has not yet entered, thus allowing him to finish his term. Doing so would cap an eight-year term in office, the minimum time necessary to be vested in the county pension plan. Reached at his office after the meeting Tuesday, the sheriff refused to discuss the issue. But in a statement last week to the San Antonio Express-News, Burris, who faces a minimum of five years in prison on the drug charges, said he would withdraw as a candidate for re-election next month but would not resign. "I've been in law enforcement most of my life," the popular, normally genial sheriff said. Despite assurances that he won't seek office, the sheriff remains on the November ballot. Unless she gets written notice from the sheriff of his withdrawal, Frio County Clerk Gloria Cubriel said she's been instructed by the state to leave his name on the ballot. Should Burris win the election against Democratic opponent Lionel Trevi=F1o, commissioners could invalidate the results once the sheriff is sentenced, Cubriel said. Commissioners Jesus Salinas and Adolfo Alvarez joined Flores in opposing Garcia's motion Tuesday. Commissioner Jack Shanklin was not present at the meeting.
No member comments available...
|