Starr County sheriff's re-arraignment postponed

McALLEN - Heavy rains in Houston have postponed a federal court hearing this morning for former Starr County Sheriff Reymundo Guerra.

The ex-lawman was expected to plead guilty to allegations he aided a Miguel Aleman-based drug smuggling ring associated with the Gulf Cartel, according to court documents.

However, his Houston-based attorney Philip Hilder told the court that his flight to the Valley had been delayed because of weather. The hearing will likely be scheduled for later this week, court staff said.

Prosecutors allege that over the course of several months, Guerra helped identify roadblocks in a narcotics trafficking organization in exchange for $5,000 payments and gifts of rib-eye steaks and shrimp.

He allegedly attempted to intimidate witnesses, tried to get one of his deputies to give up an informant and helped return a vehicle to drug smugglers that was seized as part of a cash-smuggling investigation.

Up until now, Guerra has maintained his innocence, saying that he suspected his contact with the Gulf Cartel cell to be a member of Mexican law enforcement.

It is not yet clear to what charge the former sheriff has agreed to plea.

Depending on the charge, he faces a range of punishments from four years to life in prison up to $4 million in fines.