EX-COP GETS PLEA DEAL IN STING CASE

A former San Antonio police officer who prosecutors say helped escort
shipments of what he thought was cocaine in exchange for money pleaded
guilty Thursday to a conspiracy charge in the drug-trafficking scheme.

Standing next to his attorney, Peter Saenz calmly replied, "Guilty,
sir," when U.S. District Judge Edward C. Prado asked how he pleaded to
charges that he conspired to distribute and possess 5 kilograms or
more of cocaine.

Saenz's plea deal capped his prison sentence at 11 years and three
months and marks the sixth plea agreement in an FBI undercover sting
that snared 10 police officers and two civilians in March.

As part of the plea bargain, prosecutors could call the 32-year-old
Saenz to testify against other defendants.

Of the original 12 defendants, six police officers, including Saenz,
and one civilian were charged with conspiring to distribute what they
believed to be cocaine.

The "drugs" actually were simulated cocaine bricks supplied by FBI
agents posing as drug smugglers.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Counts said Saenz played a role in the
conspiracy but was not considered "the heaviest of the
heavy(weights).

"According to court documents, Saenz helped escort two vehicles,
carrying a combined total of 150 kilograms of the substance, to New
Braunfels and Seguin on two separate occasions in June 2000 and
September 2000. Saenz was paid $2,500 per trip, court papers state.

While Saenz doesn't deny that a "wrong was committed," his attorney,
Chris Gober, said "whether or not this case should be sentenced as a
routine drug case" will be an issue at punishment.

Gober said the case is not routine in that no actual drugs were
involved. He added that there's no evidence his client had any prior
criminal or drug involvement.

A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Five defendants who previously pleaded guilty are scheduled for
sentencing March 7. Four defendants are awaiting March 4 trial dates,
and two others have trials set in late January and early February.