Pubdate: Thu, 27 Apr 2000
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2000 The Dallas Morning News
Contact:  P.O. Box 655237, Dallas, Texas 75265
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Author:  Todd Bensman, The Dallas Morning News

DEPUTY CONSTABLE CHARGED WITH AIDING DRUG DEALERS

Federal agents arrested a Dallas County deputy constable early
Wednesday on charges that he used official computer databases to
provide information to suspected drug dealers.

Ricardo "Richard" Espinoza was arrested while on precinct business at
Lew Sterrett Justice Center by Drug Enforcement Administration agents
and local officers who work in a multiagency regional task force.

Constable Espinoza was booked on two third-degree felony charges
alleging misuse of official information on two occasions last year. He
was ordered jailed at Lew Sterrett in lieu of $45,000 bail.

Constable Espinoza, a licensed peace officer who was hired four years
ago, could not be reached for comment Wednesday and had not retained
an attorney.

His arrest is the latest tumult in the Precinct 6 office. Constable
Aurelio Castillo was convicted and sentenced this year to six years of
probation for taking an illegal corporate campaign donation.

Last month, Constable Castillo lost to Mike Dupree in a Democratic
primary runoff in which the incumbent's legal troubles were a campaign
issue.

Mike Dromgoole, assistant special agent in charge of the DEA's Dallas
field office, said the investigation that led to Constable Espinoza's
arrest is not focused on the constable's office.

Agent Dromgoole declined to elaborate, saying he did not want to
jeopardize the probe. Constable Espinoza "has an association with one
of the targets of the investigation," the agent said.

According to indictments returned by a Dallas County grand jury,
Constable Espinoza provided information from a Texas Crime Information
Center wanted-person report on two suspects to a Dallas-based
drug-trafficking organization. The alleged offenses occurred in
February and August last year, according to the indictment. No other
details were available.

Constable Castillo called Constable Espinoza's arrest unfortunate,
"but other departments have their problems. It's just going to happen."

Constable Castillo oversees 14 armed deputies whose main functions are
to serve warrants and work as bailiffs in justice of the peace courts.

He said he was aware of the allegations against Constable Espinoza,
and authorities said Constable Castillo cooperated in the arrest by
giving DEA agents access to Constable Espinoza's computer, desk and
county car.

Other colleagues said Constable Espinoza's arrest surprised
them.

"It came as a total shock to all of us," Deputy Constable Don Freeman
said. "The man is a good officer . . . as far as we knew."

Mr. Dupree said the latest trouble in Precinct 6 underscores a need
for stricter background checks, hiring standards and
observation.

"This is another reason I ran for this office, because there has been
a lot of unprofessional behavior coming out of this office," said Mr.
Dupree, a former Cockrell Hill police chief.

"This has been something that's ongoing, and the community wants a
change."
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