Wife Arrested for Hindering Apprehension
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Aug 19, 2016, Comments Off
Courtesy Yanira Deleon,
(Laredo, Texas)-Alma Cantu, the wife of Fernando Ruben Ugarte, has been arrested for hindering apprehension during her husband’s trial.
On August 10, 2016, Fernando Ruben Ugarte was found guilty for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a controlled substance following a three-day jury trial. After the State rested its case and the court recessed for lunch, Ugarte failed to return to the courtroom. The State urged a motion for his bond to be lifted before the trial began, but it was denied by the court. A capias was issued with no bond and the trial continued without Ugarte. The jury rendered their verdict after three hours of deliberation. Ugarte was sentenced to 10 years to serve with a $10,000 fine for unlawful possession of a firearm and two years with a $10,000 fine for the possession of controlled substance charge, a maximum punishment for both counts.
An investigation was initiated by the Webb County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force into Cantu for providing aid and transportation for Ugarte to escape. Video surveillance obtained showed Ugarte and Cantu going to a local trucking company to obtain a check the day he didn’t return to court. Later on that day, Cantu traveled to Nuevo Laredo, Tamulipas, Mexico and was dropped off at a pharmacy where the fugitive was waiting for her.
Cantu was arrested at her residence at approximately 3:20 p.m. and charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, a third-degree felony in the State of Texas. A third-degree felony carries a penalty of 2 to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of not more than $10,000.
