Former City of Del Rio Employee Sentenced to Federal Prison for Embezzlement

On March 28, 2016, in Del Rio, Texas, Ernesto Valdez, Jr., a former clerk in the City of Del Rio’s utility department, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for embezzling more than $33,000 from the City announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.

In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Alia Moses ordered that Valdez pay a total of $33,714 restitution to the City of Del Rio, perform 300 hours of community service and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.

In March 2013, Valdez pleaded guilty to one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.  By pleading guilty, Valdez admitted that from September 2007 to June 2010, he pocketed approximately $17,000 in cash payments made by utility customers.  At sentencing, Judge Moses also found that during that same time period, Valdez manipulated the billing account of a relative and thus, is liable for an additional $16,954 in free water services provided to that relative.

Valdez remains on bond pending U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility designation.

This case resulted from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Del Rio Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Todd R. Keagle prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.