A Hidalgo County deputy found himself on the other side of the law after authorities learned he had a romantic relationship with a drug suspect.
Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño told Action 4 News that Deputy Blas Garcia has been fired and is now facing criminal charges.
Sheriff Treviño said investigators with his Public Integrity Unit arrested Garcia on tampering with evidence, improper influence and tampering with government records charges.
Garcia is accused of getting into a romantic relationship with 35-year-old possession of a marijuana suspect Lorena Siboney Partida.
According to court records, Garcia used his position as a deputy to get charges against Partida dismissed.
Records show that Partida was indicted for felony possession of marijuana in March but Judge Letty Lopez with the 389th State District Court dismissed the charge in June.
Garcia allegedly told a prosecutor with the Hidalgo County District Attorney's Office that Partida was working for him as an informant and was "pleading almost begging" him to drop the charges.
Sheriff Treviño reported that Garcia was fired after 13 years with his office.
Garcia appeared before Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace Homero Jasso on Wednesday afternoon where he was issued $45,000 dollars in bonds.
Sheriff Treviño reported that Garcia was released after the bonds were later reduced to personal recognizance bonds.
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