Esequiel (Kelly) Legarreta, a Culberson County sheriff’s deputy, was indicted on six counts of tampering with governmental records. Hudspeth County grand jurors returned the indictment in July 2013, but it was sealed until Jan. 30, 2014, when Mr. Legarreta surrendered to Hudspeth County Sheriff’s deputies.
Upon learning about the indictment, Culberson County Sheriff Oscar Carrillo immediately suspended Mr. Legarreta. In the meantime, while Mr. Legarreta’s case goes through the court system, Mr. Carrillo said he has had to find a replacement.
The indictment states that:
A. Legarreta did then and there with intent to defraud or harm another, knowingly made false entry in or alteration of governmental records, to wit: a Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office Border Security ARRA Grant Activity Sheet said false entry or alteration being the statement of the hours worked by the defendant under the grant.
B. Legarreta did then and there with intent to defraud or harm another, make present or use a governmental record, to wit: a Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office Border Security AARA Grant Activity Sheet, by submitting such record for payment of hours that were not worked by the defendant, and the defendant made, presented or used said governmental record with knowledge of its falsity.
C. Legarreta did then and there with intent to defraud or harm another, intentionally or knowingly make, present or use a record or document to wit: a Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office Border Security ARRA Grant Activity Sheet containing a false entry or entries regarding the number of hours worked by the defendant, with knowledge of its falsity and wit intent that it be taken as a genuine governmental record.
