Call Now  (713) 227-4444 Email Us Hablamos
Español

Neal Davis Blog

  • About
    • Neal Davis
    • Tyler Brock
    • Andrew Jordan
    • Hiring An Attorney
  • Expertise
    • Criminal Defense
    • Sex Crime Defense
    • Child Pornography
    • Child Solicitation
    • Drug Possession
    • White Collar Crimes
    • Shoplifing/Theft
    • DWI
    • Murder Defense
    • Assault & Family Violence
    • Title IX Defense
  • Results
  • Reviews
  • Press
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Criminal Defense Guides
    • Scholarships
Home / White Collar Crime / Ex-Texas Police Chief Convicted of Bribery, Mail Fraud

Ex-Texas Police Chief Convicted of Bribery, Mail Fraud

August 16, 2022

Texas police chief conviction

A former police chief of San Angelo, Texas, has been sentenced to 15 and a half years in federal prison and fined $35,000 for his convictions on 1 charge of bribery and 3 counts of honest services mail fraud.

According to a report by KHOU, Channel 11 Houston, Timothy R. Vasquez was found guilty last March and was sentenced on August 5. His trial was held in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Lubbock, and his sentencing was in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in San Angelo.

His punishment for the white-collar crimes also includes 1 year of supervised release after he serves his prison sentence, which will be at the Federal Correction Institute in Seagoville, near Dallas. Since his convictions in March, he had been jailed at the Terry County Courthouse.

White-Collar Crime Punishments & Defenses in Texas

What are the consequences of forgery, bribery, embezzlement, money laundering, fraud or other white-collar offenses in Texas?

Read more

Vasquez was indicted by a federal grand jury in early 2020. The charges against him reportedly stemmed from his alleged receipt of a bribe by an agent of an organization that received federal funds, as well as 3 cases of honest services mail fraud. Investigating the case was the FBI Dallas Field Office.

Vasquez allegedly used his official position to assist a radio system vendor in getting 2 government contracts valued at over $11 million in exchange for the vendor and its affiliates allegedly funneling over $130,000 to him and his band, Funky Munky, over a period of several years.

The government contracts involved the City of San Angelo. It had solicited bids for a new radio system for its 1st responders, including San Angelo police.

Vasquez allegedly asked 1 of the 3 vendors submitting bids for a vacation trip, but he was turned down. He then allegedly recommended that the City of San Angelo award a $5.6 million contract to a different vendor, which eventually was chosen by the city.

In court, it was shown that he and his band received payments from the 2nd vendor for several years.

What is honest services fraud?

Among the many types of white-collar or non-violent crimes, you may be wondering about the nature of honest services fraud.

As a federal crime, it’s cited in the United States Code Title 18 Section 1346, also known as the federal mail and wire fraud statute. It concerns “a scheme or artifice to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services.”

Honest services fraud is a felony crime with a maximum penalty of as many as 20 years in federal or state prison, a fine of as much as $250,000 for individuals, and up to 3 years of supervised release or probation. When financial institutions are involved, the maximum prison sentence goes up to 30 years.

Every wire or mail transaction pertaining to the fraud is a separate offense. But since Federal Sentencing Guidelines provide stricter sentencing for those convicted of honest services fraud, as opposed to traditional mail fraud, prosecutors often elect to charge honest services mail fraud instead, as in the Vasquez case.

20 Years in Prison for a White-Collar Crime? Believe It

Elizabeth Holmes faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for federal charges involving wire fraud and defrauding investors.

Read more

Charges can be federal or state

White-collar crime charges can also be made at the state level, not just the federal level. Federal charges can occur if the crime involved crossing state lines or involved the banking system or a federal agency. Texas charges tend to involve fraud and deceit in crimes such as investment scams, identity theft and embezzlement.

In Texas, white-collar crime punishments can range from a fine of no more than $500 with no jail time for a misdemeanor (typically stolen property under $50) to 99 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for a 1st-degree felony. (Texas white-collar felonies involve theft of more than $1,500.)

Legal defenses against white-collar crimes

If you or a loved one face a charge of a white-collar crime, whether it’s for bribery, mail fraud, embezzlement, money laundering or some other offense, you need to explore your legal defenses against white-collar crime charges.

In a case such as the one above, a charge of honest services mail fraud could be countered by an experienced criminal defense lawyer by challenging the interpretation of honest services. These are not strictly defined by federal law but are at the discretion of the federal court in each case, and they can range from property to money to “intangible rights” given to the public.

When written, the federal law on honest services fraud was intended to combat government corruption. But alleged interference with the aforementioned “intangible rights,” which also are not defined by law, can be used to prosecute individuals in the private sector.

A skilled white-collar crime defense attorney can contest such allegations and challenge any interpretations of honest services fraud that are detrimental to his or her client.

Neal Davis Client Gets Probation, Not Prison, in Federal Fraud Case

Just how effective is the Neal Davis Law Firm for those needing a Houston white-collar criminal defense lawyer?

Consider this:

A Neal Davis client was the only 1 of 21 defendants to get probation—not prison—in a recent federal telemarketing fraud case involving $300 million.

Read more

Get an award-winning white-collar defense lawyer

For years, the Neal Davis Law Firm has been honored and cited for its work handling criminal defense for those facing a white-collar crime charge. In fact, in every year since 2015, Neal Davis has been listed in the top 5 percent of defense attorneys in the entire U.S. for white-collar crimes, according to peer reviews for Best Lawyers in America.

In the past 2 decades, Neal Davis has successfully resolved state and federal white-collar criminal cases across Texas. By thoroughly investigating a case and communicating effectively with prosecutors, judges and juries, Davis has often managed to negotiate a favorable resolution for his clients without the need of a trial.

Persons living in Houston or throughout Harris County, Fort Bend County or Montgomery County may need help with a different white-collar crime than the ones noted in San Angelo. Rest assured that our law firm has handled a wide variety of cases involving white-collar crime and non-violent offenses.

You may need legal help against a claim, accusation or charge of embezzlement, identity theft, counterfeiting, money laundering, health care fraud, mortgage fraud, securities fraud, insider trading, antitrust violations, extortion, kickbacks, tax evasion, Ponzi schemes or other white-collar offenses.

Whatever the case may be, you must protect your legal rights. That means you must engage a knowledgeable and experienced defense lawyer for white-collar crimes—crimes that can bring years in prison despite involving no violence.

Contact us today at the Neal Davis Law Firm to arrange a consultation for your white-collar crime case.

Related Resources

  • Months Can Pass Between Sentencing and Prison
    Months Can Pass Between Sentencing and Prison
  • 10 Celebrities Sentenced to Prison for White-Collar Crimes
    10 Celebrities Sentenced to Prison for White-Collar Crimes
  • Drug Trafficking Tops Federal Crime Sentencing
    Drug Trafficking Tops Federal Crime Sentencing
5-star review image
My drug case was dismissed thanks to their investigation!
Drug Offenses  |  Houston
Client was looking for a drug offense attorney that would investigate the arresting officers and process of the arrest that was in question.
2016-07-01
"When your attorney enters the courtroom, don't you want to stand out from all the rest? I know ..."
J.B., Verified Customer
5-star review image
Houston's BEST Criminal Attorney!
DWI  |  Houston
Positive outcome in DWI case
2017-01-10
"Never expecting to inquire the services of a criminal attorney for a family member was something I didn..."
Father of Client E.L., Verified Customer
5-star review image
So thankful to have found him
Assault  |  Houston
Client's family violence case dismissed.
2014-12-05
"I've been around great attorneys, and you hire Neal if you want a great lawyer and gentleman. He ..."
Anonymous, Verified Customer

Categories

  • Child Pornography & Online Solicitation
  • Community
  • Criminal Defense
  • Drug Crimes
  • Federal Crimes
  • Firm News
  • Intoxication Offenses
  • Sex Crimes
  • Violent Crimes
  • White Collar Crime

Search

Criminal Defense Court Process

FREE E-BOOK

Learn all about the legal process and your legal rights.

Get Your Free Copy Now

Board Certified, Criminal Law – Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2009-2021), AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell (2015), and listed as a Best Lawyer in America (2015-2022)

He doesn't give up, no matter what you're up against
M.F.
5-star review image
Got my life back
K.W.
5-star review image
Muy satisfechos con su trabajo
Tia de J.C.
5-star review image

Read All Reviews

    Contact Our Law Firm




    We respect your privacy. The use of this form does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

    Address
    Neal Davis Law Firm
    The Heights Boulevard Law Building
    1545 Heights Blvd., Suite 700
    Houston, TX 77008

    Map

    Call 24/7
    (713) 227-4444

    Office Hours
    Monday - Saturday
    8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

    Sunday: Closed


    Experienced Criminal Defense Law Firm in Texas

    While based in Houston, our law firm provides knowledgeable representation and comprehensive legal services for individuals throughout Texas, including:


    Location

    Harris County:

    Houston, Pasadena, Baytown

    Montgomery County:

    Conroe, The WoodlandsWillis, Pinehurst

    Fort Bend County:

    Sugar Land, Richmond, Needville, Cinco Ranch


    Your Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer: Neal Davis


    A principle of the American criminal justice system is that all defendants are "innocent until proven guilty." Houston criminal defense attorney Neal Davis and his skilled legal team represent individuals accused of committing crimes. For over 20 years, Neal Davis has successfully defended clients in Texas and federal courts in all types of criminal matters at all phases, from state misdemeanors to complex federal matters. Often, he has favorably resolved criminal cases quickly and quietly, without the need for trial.


    The Neal Davis Law Firm defends the rights of individuals charged with all types of state crimes, including drug offenses , child sex crimes, online solicitation of a minor , child pornography, DWI and intoxication manslaughter, fraud and theft, assault and family violence, and murder and homicide, as well as all types of federal crimes.


    Board Certified, Criminal Law – Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Serving all of counties and federal courts across Texas, including Harris County (Houston), Montgomery County (Conroe), Galveston County and Fort Bend County (Richmond). Enjuris Texas personal injury guide

    © 2023 Neal Davis Law Firm, PLLC. All rights reserved. Law Firm Online Marketing by SEO Advantage, Inc.


    Legal Information

    The information and materials on this website are provided for general informational purposes only, and are not intended to be legal advice. We attempt to provide quality information, but the law changes frequently, and varies from place to place. The information and materials provided are general in nature, and may not apply to a specific factual or legal circumstance. An attorney and client relationship should not be implied. Nothing on this website is intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney; therefore, if you require legal advice, please consult with a competent attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction. Every case is different and individual results may vary depending on the facts of a case.