WITH SHERIFF'S SENTENCE, FRIO LOOKS TO MOVE ON

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- A federal prison sentence for Frio County's outgoing
sheriff on marijuana and theft convictions has gotten mixed reactions from
South Texas officials, with some saying the decision was long overdue.

U.S. District Judge H.F. "Hippo" Garcia on Monday ordered Sheriff Carl
Henry Burris to pay $5,920 in restitution. The 53-year-old sheriff received
a sentence of 10 years and one month in federal prison.

The FBI says it is continuing to investigate some of Burris' deputies.

County Judge Carlos Garcia said he hopes Burris' sentencing will enable the
county to open a new chapter in law enforcement. "Everywhere you look,
people think negative things about the county," Garcia said.

Burris remains free on a $50,000 bond. He will be placed under supervised
release for five years after completing his prison term, which will begin
Feb. 15.

Burris pleaded guilty in October to a charge of conspiracy to distribute
marijuana and one charge of theft of federal program funds.

He admitted that he kept more than half of about $11,700 that one of his
deputies seized about November 1994 and used it for personal expenses,
including a trip to Florida. To cover up the missing money, Burris said he
took marijuana from the sheriff's evidence locker and solicited another
person to sell it. He pocketed $5,300 from the sale.

Burris lost his re-election bid in November to Democrat Lionel Trevino, who
will take office Jan. 1.

"Some people will remember the good things; some people will remember the
bad things," Burris said. "But I believe if you make a mistake, you need to
stand up and admit it and take what's coming to you."