Limas, Solis cases delayed

The sentencing date for former 404th state District Judge Abel C. Limas and former state Rep. Jim Solis in federal court has again been pushed back.

Limas pleaded guilty last March 31 in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, to racketeering, and his sentencing had been initially scheduled for July 5 last year. It was then pushed back to Oct. 3, then Dec. 2, then to March 13 of this year and now June 8.

Solis pleaded guilty on April 29 to extortion. His sentencing was initially set for Aug. 1 last year, then Aug. 3, then Oct. 12, then Dec. 2, then for March 13 of this year. Now, like that of Limas, it has been pushed back to June 8.

One court observer said that the rescheduling could only mean one thing for Limas and Solis.

"They are continuing to cooperate and they will likely be required to testify against their co-defendants," said John Blaylock, a former Cameron County assistant district attorney who is now in private practice.

Limas has admitted that he solicited and accepted bribes and extorted money from people with cases before his court, their attorneys and representatives, in exchange for favorable rulings. Solis admitted helping Limas in the bribery and extortion scheme.

"As long as they continue to cooperate and their testimony is required, it is common for their cases to be continued until their cooperation is over," Blaylock said.

Blaylock said that it is clear to him that Limas and Solis continue to provide new information to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which continues to conduct inquiries.

"As more people come in to the focus of the government, more information is provided and investigators then go back to Limas and Solis to confirm what those people are saying," Blaylock said.

Jose Manuel "Meme" Longoria, who pleaded guilty Nov. 21 to conspiracy to interfere with commerce, interfering with commerce and aiding and abetting wire fraud, was initially scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 27 this year. His sentencing date has been pushed back as well, to April 11.

Attorney Jose "Joe" Martin Valle pleaded guilty in August to aiding and abetting extortion. His sentencing had been scheduled for Nov. 11. It has been pushed back to Feb. 14.

Former Cameron County District Attorney investigator Jaime Munivez pleaded guilty Dec. 13 to two counts of aiding and abetting extortion. His sentencing date is March 19 and as of late Friday had not been changed.

Francisco Cisneros pleaded guilty Aug. 8 to aiding and abetting extortion. His sentencing was initially set for Nov. 14 and it has been pushed back to Feb. 14.

Karina Peña pleaded guilty July 19 to aiding and abetting wire fraud. Her sentencing was set for Oct. 31, changed to Jan. 24 and then moved up a day to Jan. 23. Her husband, Armando Peña, pleaded guilty to the same charge July 26. His sentencing dates have been Oct. 31, Nov. 30 and now March 6.

Blaylock expects there is more to come in terms of results of the federal inquiry.

"I do think it is far from over," he said. "I think it will go on for quite sometime unfortunately."