Juan Canales pleaded guilty months ago in a drug trafficking scheme. It was allegedly headed by former El Paso County Commissioner Willie Gandara Jr.

Canales and Gandara were arrested in February.

DEA agents said that last year, Gandara sent a truckload of marijuana hidden in chile powder towards the Sierra Blanca checkpoint. The marijuana was bound for the Midwest.

Canales was the lookout for the shipment.

The driver of the shipment, Javier Betancourt, was stopped while Canales drove on through, police records indicate.
However, an investigation uncovered the details, and all three men were arrested.

Canales pleaded guilty for his role, and today he went for sentencing. He was escorted into the courthouse by his family.

I also made my way up to the fourth floor of the El Paso County Federal Courthouse. That is where Canales and his family were already waiting.

Before federal Judge Frank Montalvo entered the courtroom, Canales was laughing with his defense attorney, Patrick Lara.

However, there was no laughing when Canales stood before Montalvo.

When asked if he had anything to say, Canales apologized to the judge, community, court and his family. He then said, "I'm very embarrassed. I take on full responsibility and you will not see me here again."

Lara then asked the judge to be lenient with Canales. Lara told the judge Canales has heart problems and takes medication.

"It's the family who has to go through this pain too. Take them into consideration," he also said.

Lara said Canales' family members all wrote letters to the judge.

Montalvo fired back reminding Canales this was his second time inside a federal courtroom.
Montalvo was referring to a 2004 case in which Canales was convicted in a case involving the transportation of illegal immigrants.

"You're working for a crook. You know what he's asking you to do is crooked. Twice," said Montalvo.

Montalvo said in that case the court was lenient with him. Lara later told me the punishment was probation.
Montalvo eventually sentenced Canales to six months in jail, six months of home confinement, and two years of probation.

Montalvo was very specific about home confinement, telling Canales it means work, home and doctor's appointments only and that all must be approved by the probation department.

Canales will surrender on Oct. 3 for the jail time.

I tried to speak to Canales, but he didn't want to comment.

I then spoke to Lara. Lara said the punishment is fair, and he knows Canales will now turn his life around.

Gandara and Betancourt will be sentenced next month.