Cop-turned-lawyer, 65, is sentenced to 15 years in jail after scamming $1.5million out of Colombian drug traffickers - who ratted him out!
A Texas lawyer known as the 'DWI Dude' has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison after scamming $1.5 million out of Colombian drug traffickers.
Jamie Balagia, 65, falsely promised members of the cartel he would get their charges reduced or dismissed in exchange for cash, prosecutors said.
Balagia, well known for using a van advertising his services which read: 'Busted? Call the Dude!', was sentenced Monday to 188 months in federal prison.
The former cop was caught after one of the alleged dealers turned him into the FBI.
According to federal prosecutors, Balagia conspired with a private investigator in Florida and an attorney in Colombia.
They would scam the Colombian drug traffickers into paying 'attorney fees' for acting as intermediaries with government officials who they said would accept bribes to dismiss criminal charges or reduce prison sentences.
There were no bribes or government officials involved.
Balagia, a former Austin police officer, was convicted after a two-week trial in the Eastern District of Texas in Sherman in 2019.
Jamie Balagia, 65, pictured speaking, falsely promised the drug lords he would get their charges reduced or dismissed in exchange for cash, prosecutors said
Balagia, who used a van advertising his service which read: 'Busted? Call the Dude!', was sentenced Monday to 188 months in federal prison
He was caught after one of the alleged dealers turned him into the FBI. Balagia's two co-defendants are serving federal prison sentences. Florida private investigator, Chuck Morgan, and a Colombian attorney, Bibiana Correa Perrea pleaded guilty. Morgan was sentenced to six years in federal prison while Correa is serving seven
He faced charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, obstruction of justice, violation of the Kingpin Act, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
'The evidence in this case demonstrated that Balagia had been shaking down his clients for years by claiming that he was able to purchase favorable deals from prosecutors and judges alike,' Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei said.
Defense attorney Gaylon Riddels had asked for probation for his client, saying that Balagia was 'homeless, destitute and broken,' the Dallas Morning News reported.
Balagia's two co-defendants in the case previously pleaded guilty and are serving federal prison sentences.
Florida private investigator, Chuck Morgan, and a Colombian attorney, Bibiana Correa Perrea pleaded guilty. Morgan was sentenced to six years in federal prison while Correa is serving seven.
Balagia was arrested in 2017 when it's believed he met with a client in jail who was an alleged Colombian drug lord.
He claimed his co-defendants manipulated him.
Balagia, a former Austin police officer also known as 420 Dude, was convicted after a two-week trial in the Eastern District of Texas in Sherman in 2019
According to federal prosecutors, Balagia conspired with a private investigator in Florida and an attorney in Colombia to scam Colombian drug traffickers into paying 'attorney fees' for acting as intermediaries with government officials who they said would accept bribes to dismiss criminal charges or reduce prison sentences
Defense attorney Gaylon Riddels had asked for probation for his client, saying that Balagia was 'homeless, destitute and broken,' the Dallas Morning News reported
Balagia took the stand in his in own defense, telling jurors he didn't realize accepting cash payments in small deposits and bags handed off in parking lots was money laundering, the Dallas News said.
'The Colombians, and criminals in every other country that we deal with, need to understand things don't work that way in the United States,' Brown said. 'When we have lawyers representing that officials can be bought, we take that very seriously.'
'This defendant and his group were running a scam on drug dealers- some of the biggest drug dealers in the world,' U.S. Attorney Joe Brown said in a statement.
'Fortunately for him, these drug dealers chose to turn him into the FBI rather than handle it any other way. It is important for the American justice system that we prosecute those who represent that the justice system is for sale.'
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