The former Starr County District Attorney crime victims coordinator who is facing federal charges for her alleged involvement in transporting undocumented people using a government vehicle will soon post bond, her attorney said Thursday in Corpus Christi.
Bernice Annette Garza went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby in Corpus Christi on Thursday with her attorney, Ron Barroso. Garza’s parents and fiance attended the detention hearing.
Garza, along with Magali Rosa, 40, and her husband, Jose Antonio Charles, 40 are all facing conspiracy charges for their involvement in transporting undocumented immigrants using a Starr County District Attorney crime victims office vehicle.
Overall, the coordinated trips totaled close to 50 and started in June, according to statements made by the accused on the criminal complaint. Garza was terminated from her job with the Starr County District Attorney’s Office the day of her arrest.
The arrests sparked statewide interest when Gov. Greg Abbott announced he wanted to increase the minimum sentence penalty for Texas residents accused of smuggling immigrants.
Libby set bond at $30,000, with a $1,000 cash deposit, for Garza. Barroso, Garza’s lead attorney, said he expects Garza will be released sometime Thursday afternoon.
Garza’s travel will be limited to the Rio Grande Valley and she was instructed to avoid contact with her co-defendants as some of the conditions of her release on bond.
Libby also set bond at $45,000 with a $1,500 cash deposit individually for Rosa and Charles on Wednesday. Their travel was limited to the McAllen area and they were told to avoid contact with victims, potential victims and Garza. The couple will be allowed to return to the same household together.
Barroso said his client was cooperating with law enforcement authorities and will continue to do so.
The case is expected to go before a grand jury, which will decide whether to issue an indictment.
