A Cameron County bail bondsman has been sentenced to 16 months in federal prison for his role in the Abel Limas cash for court favors scandal.

Francisco "Pancho" Cisneros appeared for sentencing before U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen in Brownsville on Monday.

Cisneros pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme back in August.

Court records show that Cisneros used middleman Jose Manuel Longoria to bribe Abel Limas for court favors back when he was 404th State District Judge.

Cisneros admitted to paying $2,000 dollars to have Limas give drug case suspect Rodolfo Garcia get a personal recognizance bond.

The bail bondsman is the first person to be sentenced in the cash for court favors scandal.

Limas and six other people in the case are awaiting sentencing in the case.

Two attorneys accused in scheme are maintaining their innoncence and headed to trial.