JURY TO GET EX-DRUG COP'S CASE

FLORESVILLE - Was Albert J. Villarreal a dirty cop or did local drug users
concoct stories to incriminate the former Wilson County sheriff's deputy?

A jury of six men and six women will ponder that question today at the
close of Villarreal's trial here on 28 charges, including falsifying
evidence and police reports, official oppression and witness tampering.

His attorney, John Longoria, is expected to argue this morning that
Villarreal was set up by the crooks he busted, as well as their friends.

"That's a nice theory, with no evidence to support it," said prosecutor
Carrie Moy after both sides had rested Monday.

Witnesses at the two-week trial painted contrasting pictures of the
clean-cut defendant, who faces up to 10 years if convicted.

Jesse Hernandez, a crucial state's witness, was a confidential informant
for Villarreal during his stint with the 81st Judicial District Narcotics
Task Force.

Testifying to what he called "a drug addict's dream," Hernandez said last
week that he and Villarreal routinely snorted cocaine that the officer bought.

Damning accounts also came from two of Villarreal's cousins, who testified
last week to selling him an ounce of cocaine.

And on Monday, two women appearing as state's witnesses testified that
Villarreal bought cocaine from them and shared the drugs with them.

Another woman, whom Villarreal claimed he barely knew, testified that they
had a sexual affair that lasted for months.

Villarreal, 33, returned to the witness stand Monday to repeat his earlier
denials.

"I never used illegal drugs," he said. "I never gave any of them drugs."

Villarreal said some witnesses against him were motivated by an offer of
immunity from prosecution.

"They benefit from coming in here and saying whatever they want to say so
that they won't get charged with a felony," he said.

The married father of two has been held on a $255,000 bond since his arrest
a year ago.

District Judge Fred Shannon is presiding over his trial.