Changes

In 2012, a federal investigation established that on or about March 25,  Rangel, while performing his duties as a JP, did knowingly and unlawfully accept $250 not due to him or to his office from Juan Enriquez Rodriguez (born May 5, 1979), then a bail bondsman. In turn, Rangel granted a $1,000 surety bail bond on an individual who had been arrested and charged with  DWI.<ref name=formerjp>{{cite web|url= https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/former-jp-and-bail-bondsman-sentenced-federal-extortion-charges|title=Former JP and Bail Bondsman Sentenced on Federal Extortion Charges|publisher=[[United States Department of Justice]]|date=August 28, 2015|accessdate=February 24, 2020}}</ref>

In 2012, a federal investigation established that on or about March 25,  Rangel, while performing his duties as a JP, did knowingly and unlawfully accept $250 not due to him or to his office from Juan Enriquez Rodriguez (born May 5, 1979), then a bail bondsman. In turn, Rangel granted a $1,000 surety bail bond on an individual who had been arrested and charged with  DWI.<ref name=formerjp>{{cite web|url= https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/former-jp-and-bail-bondsman-sentenced-federal-extortion-charges|title=Former JP and Bail Bondsman Sentenced on Federal Extortion Charges|publisher=[[United States Department of Justice]]|date=August 28, 2015|accessdate=February 24, 2020}}</ref>

On September 4, 2014, Rangel pleaded guilty of conspiracy and extortion under color of official right. Juan Enrique Rodriguez entered his guilty plea on December 17, 2014. He could have faced twenty years in the federal penitentiary. He checked into a Houston rehabilitation facility to be treated for alcohol addiction the day after his plea. This was a  condition of his bond. He also resigned his JP position.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/South-Texas-judge-facing-20-years-for-250-bribe-5747972.php|title=South Texas judge facing 20 years in bribery case, checks into rehab|publisher=''The San Antonio Express-News''| author=Kolten Parker|date=September 11, 2014|accessdate=February 24, 2020}}</ref>

On September 4, 2014, Rangel pleaded guilty of conspiracy and extortion under color of official right. Juan Enrique Rodriguez entered his guilty plea on December 17, 2014. He could have faced twenty years in the federal penitentiary. He checked into a Houston rehabilitation facility to be treated for alcohol addiction the day after his plea. This was a  condition of his bond. He also resigned his JP position.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/South-Texas-judge-facing-20-years-for-250-bribe-5747972.php|title=South Texas judge facing 20 years in bribery case, checks into rehab|publisher=''The San Antonio Express-News''| author=Kolten Parker|date=September 11, 2014|accessdate=February 24, 2020}}</ref> U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña, based in Laredo, ordered Rangel, to serve thirty-seven months in federal prison ; Rodriguez received a 13-month-term. Both were ordered to serve three years of supervised release following completion of their sentences. The court found Rangel had received multiple bribes and was a public official in a high-level decision making or sensitive position at the time he committed the crime and that Rodriguez had paid multiple bribes to have Rangel reduce bonds of criminal defendants. Rangel and Rodriguez were also ordered to pay fines in the amount of $5,000 and $15,000, respectfully.

 

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña, based in Laredo, ordered Rangel, to serve thirty-seven months in federal prison ; Rodriguez received a 13-month-term. Both were ordered to serve three years of supervised release following completion of their sentences. The court found Rangel had received multiple bribes and was a public official in a high-level decision making or sensitive position at the time he committed the crime and that Rodriguez had paid multiple bribes to have Rangel reduce bonds of criminal defendants. Rangel and Rodriguez were also ordered to pay fines in the amount of $5,000 and $15,000, respectfully.

Rangel was released from the Bureau of Prisons on June 23, 2017. He served less than two years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/|title=Inmate Locator: Ricardo Rangel (No. 73645-379|publisher=U.S. Bureau of Prisons|accessdate=February 24, 2020}}</ref> On July 13, 2017, less than months since his release from prison, Rangel was seriously injured in an automobile crash on Interstate 35 eleven miles south of Cotulla in LaSalle County. He was airlifted to [[San Antonio]] with life-threatening injuries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/Son-Former-Webb-County-judge-critically-injured-11288553.php|title=Son: Former Webb County judge critically injured in fatal crash "not out of danger yet"|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=July 14, 2017|author=Cesar Rodriguez|accessdate=February 24, 2020}}</ref> He did recover from the accident.

Rangel was released from the Bureau of Prisons on June 23, 2017. He served less than two years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/|title=Inmate Locator: Ricardo Rangel (No. 73645-379|publisher=U.S. Bureau of Prisons|accessdate=February 24, 2020}}</ref> On July 13, 2017, less than months since his release from prison, Rangel was seriously injured in an automobile crash on Interstate 35 eleven miles south of Cotulla in LaSalle County. He was airlifted to [[San Antonio]] with life-threatening injuries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/Son-Former-Webb-County-judge-critically-injured-11288553.php|title=Son: Former Webb County judge critically injured in fatal crash "not out of danger yet"|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=July 14, 2017|author=Cesar Rodriguez|accessdate=February 24, 2020}}</ref> He did recover from the accident.