Former Deputies Sentenced for Drug Crimes, Misconduct

Several former deputies have recently been sentenced for their involvement in criminal activities related to drug trafficking and corruption. Baldemar Cardenas, a former deputy with the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office, received a 46-month prison sentence for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that involved staging fake drug busts and allowing a cartel to operate undetected. He collaborated with traffickers to tip law enforcement about fake cocaine bundles, which diverted attention from the actual drug operations. In a separate case, James Darrell Hickox, a former Nassau County deputy, was sentenced to over 17 years in prison for stealing drugs and money while working with the DEA, highlighting the betrayal of law enforcement oaths. Wesley Hunter Junior, another deputy, was sentenced to over five years for falsifying records and sexually assaulting an inmate during transport. These cases underscore the significant issues of corruption within law enforcement agencies.