(Deming) - A former Deming law enforcement officer, who admitted to stealing property seized during investigations, was sentenced Tuesday morning a six-month federal prison sentence in Las Cruces federal court.
Armando Perales Jr., 43, was an investigator with the district attorney office in Deming working with the Southwest New Mexico Drug Task Force.
In a plea agreement, Perales admitted to taking an AR-15 rifle, 1993 Chevrolet Camaro and more than $5,000 in cash, items all seized during separate task force investigations.
U.S. District Judge Robert C. Brack ordered Perales to pay $5,000 in restitution, $3,000 in fines and serve three years of supervised release after he completes the six-month prison stay.
Perales, who now lives in Hidalgo County, apologized to the judge, his family and the community for what he said were "mistakes."
Judge Brack said Perales acted as if he was above the law, and called such behavior by law enforcement officers a "huge disappointment" and "huge betrayal."
Special prosecutor Pegeen Rhyne, from the Colorado U.S. Attorney's Office, had recommended a six-month sentence, $5,000 in restitution and a $10,000 fine.
Due to the relatively short length of his prison sentence, Perales will not be eligible for credit for time served and he will serve the entire six months.
Armando Perales Jr., 43, was an investigator with the district attorney office in Deming working with the Southwest New Mexico Drug Task Force.
In a plea agreement, Perales admitted to taking an AR-15 rifle, 1993 Chevrolet Camaro and more than $5,000 in cash, items all seized during separate task force investigations.
U.S. District Judge Robert C. Brack ordered Perales to pay $5,000 in restitution, $3,000 in fines and serve three years of supervised release after he completes the six-month prison stay.
Perales, who now lives in Hidalgo County, apologized to the judge, his family and the community for what he said were "mistakes."
Judge Brack said Perales acted as if he was above the law, and called such behavior by law enforcement officers a "huge disappointment" and "huge betrayal."
Special prosecutor Pegeen Rhyne, from the Colorado U.S. Attorney's Office, had recommended a six-month sentence, $5,000 in restitution and a $10,000 fine.
Due to the relatively short length of his prison sentence, Perales will not be eligible for credit for time served and he will serve the entire six months.
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