Updated June 27, 11:30 a.m.
Carlos Uresti, a former Democratic state senator, was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
The 54-year-old was found guilty earlier this year on 11 charges, including money laundering, wire fraud, and securities fraud. Judge David Alan Ezra also required Uresti to be on three years of supervised release, and pay $6.3 million in restitution. He was released on bond to prepare for a trial involving federal bribery charges against him in Reeves County. Uresti said he plans to appeal.
WATCH | TPR reporter Joey Palacios greets Uresti outside the courtroom
Earlier: Former State Senator Carlos Uresti arrives to the federal court in San Antonio for his sentencing on 11 felony convictions. According to court documents, prosecutors may ask for 17 1/2 to about 22 years in prison. @TPRNews pic.twitter.com/IQGpLeelbX
— Joey Palacios 😷 (@Joeycules) June 26, 2018
Uresti arrived to court about 30 minutes before the hearing began Tuesday. He made few comments as he approached the courthouse saying he was praying for a fair and just result from the court.
The sentencing lasted more than two and a half hours. Uresti, surrounded by friends and family as he left the federal courthouse, said he believes the decision was neither fair nor just.
“I respect the judge’s decision, absolutely," he said. "I was a lawyer for 25 years and I respect the system but it doesn’t mean I have to agree with the decision and I don’t.”
Ezra gave Uresti 14 days to file an appeal, which the former senator said he "absolutely" plans to do.
“I could stand here and tell you 1000 different reasons why I disagree with it but again, we’re going to continue to fight it. We’ll follow our appeal timely,” Uresti said.
WATCH | Carlos Uresti talks to reporters after sentencing
VIDEO: former Dem State Senator Carlos Uresti speaks to the press after receiving a 12 year sentence for 11 felony convictions. He says it’s not a fair and just decision. He is out on bond pending a federal bribery case he’s also been indicted in. @TPRNews pic.twitter.com/1W4eeEBDJv
— Joey Palacios 😷 (@Joeycules) June 26, 2018
After the sentencing, Uresti’s attorney Michael McCrum said the jury made a mistake in convicting Uresti.
“At worst, the government proved that he should have known some things, but you should never send a man to prison because he should have known something — that’s not the way our legal system should work,” McCrum said.
RELATED | Uresti Attorneys Say He Was Not Involved In Fraud
Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney Joe Blackwell, who led the case against Uresti, said 12 years is an appropriate sentence and that the court sent the right message.
“It’s not okay to get in business with people that are shady, and you’re told are untrustworthy, and just kind of hope everyone would work out,” Blackwell said.
He added: “You’re not allowed to prey on the weak of our society and being in position of power does not give you that right."
Original story
According to court documents filed by Uresti’s lawyers, federal prosecutors want the 54-year-old Uresti to face a sentence between 17 ½ years to just under 22 years in prison.
Their memorandum also argues why he should receive a leaner sentence. It asks the court to take into consideration Uresti's years of military, civic, charitable and public service.
It included statements from supporters of Uresti, including Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood who said, “Uresti exemplified service in his passion to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”
“Since I have known Carlos, I have known him to give voice to those who might otherwise go unnoticed or have no voice of their own. I can affirm this as we have worked together to protect Bexar County's children, elderly, and disabled from abuse and neglect during my time as district attorney. I ask that you give Carlos your consideration in light of his abundant contributions to the people, especially children, of Bexar County and Texas,” LaHood said.
Earlier this year, Uresti was found guilty on 11 charges, including money laundering, wire fraud, and securities fraud for his involvement in FourWinds, a San Antonio fracking sand company prosecutors called a ponzi scheme. His jury trial lasted a month.
Uresti’s role with FourWinds was to bring in investors, and he successfully recruited several individuals to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in the company. He received portions of that money.
Uresti surrendered his law license in April and resigned from his Senate seat last week, ending a 21-year legislative career.
Joey Palacios can be reached at Joey@TPR.org and on Twitter at @Joeycules
