FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JP Clerk Arrested in Bribery Sting

San Antonio, Texas: September 17, 2009:

Today, Juan Laureles, 43, a clerk assigned to Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, was arrested by the Texas Rangers for Bribery and two counts of Tampering with a Government Record.

The case originated with a phone call by a Bexar County citizen to the District Attorney’s Office. In a sworn statement provided to a DA investigator the citizen alleged Laureles had solicited money in exchange for legal paperwork and instructions as to how to release civil judgment liens filed against the individual. The District Attorney requested the assistance of the Texas Rangers in this investigation. The Rangers, along with a District Attorney Investigator, formulated a plan to set up an undercover “sting” operation. After appearing at an agreed upon location on Gilbeau Road, Laureles was arrested by Texas Rangers after accepting five hundred dollars ($500) in marked bills and providing purported court documents to the citizen. The encounter was captured on a recording device worn by the citizen while meeting with Laureles.

Laureles has been employed as a clerk in the office of the Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, since April of 2008.

Bribery is a Second Degree Felony that carries a range of punishment of 2 – 20 years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine. Tampering with a Governmental Record is a Third Degree felony punishable by 2-10 years confinement and up to a $10,000 fine.

District Attorney Susan Reed wishes to express her appreciation and thanks to the honest citizen who came forward to report this matter and work with law enforcement in an undercover capacity to catch Laureles as he engaged in his alleged illegal activity.

For more information, contact Adriana Biggs, Chief, White Collar Crime Division, at 335-2404.