El Paso Resident Indicted in El Paso Public Corruption Investigation

John E. Murphy, Acting United States Attorney, announced that 35-year-old Adrian Edward Pena, was indicted for his alleged role in a conspiracy to defraud El Paso County by committing mail fraud and depriving citizens of honest services in connection with a county construction contract.

The three-count indictment charges Pena with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and the deprivation of honest services as well as substantive charges of mail fraud and the deprivation of honest services.

According to the indictment, between August 23, 2003, until June 14, 2006, Pena agreed to remodel a sitting El Paso County Commissioner’s residence in return for the Commissioner’s support and vote to award a vendor construction contract to his employer. The indictment further alleges that Pena, instead of remodeling the residence, paid the Commissioner $1,000 in August 2004 and another $9,000 in September 2004 after County Commissioners voted to pay a $382,158 invoice submitted by Pena’s employer.

Upon conviction, Pena faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine per count.

This investigation—conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation—continues. Assistant United States Attorney William F. Lewis is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.

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