A former public leader begins the first day of a 6 1/2-year prison sentence.

Wednesday, former county commissioner Willie Gandara Jr. appeared before federal judge Frank Montalvo to learn just what his sentence would be for his role in organized drug trafficking and money laundering.

Montalvo sentenced Gandara to 78 months in prison, with both sentences to run concurrently, which amounts to 6 1/2 years in prison. In addition, he ordered Gandara pay a $300,000 fine.

Montalvo told Gandara that he was leading a double life and called him a "master of disguise." He even compared the former commissioner to Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. Montalvo said Gandara's extensive charity work did not impress him because Escobar was known to be extremely charitable as well as a ruthless kingpin.

"My brother was no Pablo Escobar. He was no 'Godfather,' I can promise you that," said Gary Gandara.

A very different Willie Gandara appeared in court Wednesday. His attorney Joe Spencer described him as a broken man. Gandara did break down as he publicly apologized.

Gandara asked for forgiveness from God, Montalvo and the federal government.

"I allowed my ego, greed and my own ignorance to lead me here today," said Gandara.

He also apologized to his constituents and the people who elected him.

"I let everyone down," he said.

Gandara even apologized to his family.

"They are the ones who are now suffering," he said.

Gandara was immediately taken into custody, and as his family's chilling cries broke the silence in the still courtroom, he turned to them and said "I love you" before being led away.

Gandara's sister-in-law held his wife's hand as they left the courthouse and said her brother-in-law was a good man who made a mistake.

His three young daughters said goodbye to their father before he left for the sentencing.

"He got into something he should not have. I blame my brother for that. He got into something that he should have said 'no.' He honestly should have said 'no,' Gary Gandara said. "But he didn't and he will pay his debt because my brother is man enough to say that he did wrong and he will pay his debt. Now does the debt fit? I don't think so."

Family felt the punishment did not fit the crime and that Gandara is taking the fall for others, though they did not specify who.

When he is released from prison, Gandara will be on a three-year supervised probation. The judge said he will recommend that Gandara be allowed to serve his time in El Paso because he has three young daughters.