EXOFFICER PLEADS GUILTY

McALLEN A former Donna police sergeant has pleaded guilty for a second
time to drugsmuggling charges while an ex police chief he allegedly
conspired with was set for trial.

Homero Cisneros Gallardo, 44, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring to
smuggle 1,000 pounds of marijuana through Donna in 1995. Last month,
Gallardo pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport 250 pounds of marijuana
in 1995. He faces up to 40 years in prison on each charge, federal
prosecutors said.

Gallardo was one of six former police officers indicted in September on
charges of taking thousands of dollars in payoffs to protect drug loads
moving through South Texas in 199596. All but one defendant have pleaded
guilty. Former Donna police chief Clemente Garza maintains his innocence
and plans to go to trial. Jury selection in his case started Tuesday, with
testimony set to begin in January.

Garza is accused of taking $2,200 to help drug traffickers transport 1,000
pounds of marijuana through Donna between Nov. 8, 1995, and Nov. 27, 1995.
Prosecutors allege he and Gallardo conspired to protect the drug load.