Texas Border Business
Thursday December 12, 2013–Last week, the Department of Justice dismissed all charges with prejudice against Marco Rodriguez. In April, Rodriguez, 41, a special agent with the Office of Inspector General under the Department of Homeland Security, was charged in a 5-count indictment with conspiracy to falsify reports and falsifying reports.
Marco Rodriguez was jointly represented by Darrell L. Fun, a Denver lawyer, and Michael Rodriguez of Atlas, Hall and Rodriguez, LLP in Brownsville. Marco Rodriguez’s supervisor, Eugenio Pedraza, the special agent in charge of the McAllen office, was also charged.
In September, federal judge Andrew S. Hanen dismissed two of the charges pending against Rodriguez. Last Wednesday, attorneys with the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice petitioned Judge Hanen to dismiss all charges against Rodriguez with prejudice. A dismissal with prejudice prevents federal prosecutors from refiling the same charges and is a complete and total vindication of Rodriguez.
On Thursday, December 5, 2013, the Court signed the order dismissing all charges. “It was a long and difficult fight for justice in Marco’s case but, in the end, the government did the right thing and justice prevailed,” said Fun. Co-counsels added, “Marco steadfastly maintained his innocence in the face of immense pressure from the federal government. This dismissal is the first step in returning Marco’s good name which he made for himself over 16 years of exemplary service as a federal agent.” Court records show that the Pedraza’s trial is still scheduled for March 10, 2014 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Brownsville Division.
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