JURY WILL SOON DECIDE FATE OF FORMER DRUG COP

Jurors in Wilson County could begin to deliberate as early as Monday in the
trial of a former narcotics agent accused of making up cases and falsifying
reports.

Albert J. Villarreal, 33, of Poteet had worked as an undercover agent for
the 81st Judicial District Narcotics Task Force, which operates in
Atascosa, Frio, Karnes and Wilson counties.

Villarreal has been in jail since his arrest in September 2001, when a
Wilson County grand jury indicted him on 28 charges, including tampering
with a governmental record, fabricating physical evidence, tampering with a
witness, official oppression and abuse of official capacity.

He was fired after his indictment.

Both the state and defense have presented their cases, and Assistant
District Attorney Carrie Moy said she will call rebuttal witnesses Monday.

The 15 prosecution witnesses called to testify since the trial began Sept.
30 included law enforcement officials and admitted drug users who testified
in part that Villarreal had claimed to make phony drug buys, and fabricated
portions of his reports, Moy said.

On the stand, Villarreal denied the charges and suggested he is the victim
of a conspiracy, said his lawyer, John A. Longoria.

"This whole case depends on who the jury wants to believe and what they
believe," he said. "If A.J. is found guilty, they will declare open season
on all undercover officers," Longoria said, referring to "snitches, (drug)
users and sellers."

If convicted, Villarreal faces up to 10 years in prison.