HARLINGEN — Former Harlingen police officer Robert Ahrens has taken a plea deal avoiding jail time.
After an indictment revealed he accepted drug money in 2011, Ahrens will serve five years of probation.
According to the indictment, Ahrens took between $1,500 and $20,000.
Following an “extensive investigation” by the Cameron County District Attorney’s office and the FBI, he was caught when a confidential informant led to the initial investigation in the case.
An arrest warrant was issued by the 197th state District Court for the state jail felony charge.
He was arrested at the police department.
Soon after being suspended without pay from the force pending the investigation, Ahrens resigned from the Harlingen Police Department.
He was a 10-year veteran of the department.
Officials first became aware of Ahrens’ possible misconduct in mid-2013, authorities said.
