PRESIDIO – The former Presidio public servant accused in an FBI bribery and corruption sting has filed a petition in federal court to modify the terms of his release to see his children over spring break, according to court records.
Carlos Nieto, who faces a May trial for allegedly accepting a bribe to ensure that that Presidio County awarded a records management contract was awarded to a company that turned out to be a fake company in an FBI sting operation, has appealed to District Judges David Counts and David Guaderrama to temporarily modify his release that currently allows him to return to Presidio on weekends and holidays.
According to the motion, Nieto seeks permission from the court to remain in Presidio until Monday, March 19 to spend time with his children, who are on spring break from college.
The motion, filed by noted El Paso defense attorney and Presidio native Joe S. Spencer, further states that Pretrial Services Officer Luis Fausto is unopposed to the motion, though an Assistant U.S. Attorney has opposed the motion.
Nieto and former Presidio County Commissioner Lorenzo Hernandez, who was arrested in the same sting, have been ordered to appear in Pecos federal court for a pre-trial status conference with their attorneys on Monday, March 19.
Though their trial date has been set for Monday, May 21, the trial venue has yet to be determined.