FORMER SHERIFF'S DEPUTY INDICTED ON FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES

McALLEN - A former Hidalgo County sheriff's deputy faces federal
charges that he conspired to possess and distribute pot bundles while
on the job.

Heriberto Diaz, a former burglary investigator, was indicted by grand
jurors last week in U.S. District Court in McAllen. Documents
detailing the charges were filed Friday in federal court.

Diaz's former partner, Omar Salazar, pleaded guilty last month in
federal court to the conspiracy charge. Both men also face state
charges in the corruption case.

The probe into the former deputies came after a Mission stash house
raid in October 2009.

The deputies called for backup after a foot pursuit at 120 Ottumwa
St., where the investigators were acting on a tip that marijuana would
be found inside a house.

A Mission police patrolman responded and found Joel and Jorge Duncan
stepping from the garage, pot bundles in hand.

The father and son fled from the scene, but another Mission officer
caught them and took them back to the crime scene.

Salazar and Diaz told the Mission officers to let the Duncans go,
saying they were confidential informants, court documents state.

Sheriff's deputies and FBI agents launched an investigation into the
suspicious stash house bust.

And in early November 2009, Diaz reported his teenage son kidnapped
while in Valadeces, Tamps. - across the Rio Grande from La Grulla.

Investigators later learned Salazar had set up the kidnapping to keep
Diaz from telling agents about their shady dealings while on the job,
court records state.

The Duncans later told investigators that the Mission police officers
exposed the conspiracy perpetrated by Diaz and Salazar, raising
questions about their investigation.

Salazar is set to be sentenced Sept. 16 in federal court. A detention
hearing in Diaz's case is set for Wednesday.

The conspiracy charge carries a sentence of between five and 40 years
in federal prison and up to a $5 million fine.