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He was the top cop in Sullivan City, Texas – entrusted with, among other things, going after drug traffickers and keeping his community safe from them.

But as it turned out, the police chief who was supposed to be protecting his community was protecting drug traffickers, according to U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno, Southern District of Texas.

The former police chief, Hernan Guerra, 44, of Mission, Texas, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole for drug trafficking, Moreno said.

Guerra was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 2,200 lbs. of marijuana earlier this year after pleading guilty.

According to the press release about the case, Guerra admitted that as police chief, he helped drug traffickers commit their crimes by leaking to them information about where U.S. Border Patrol units would be located, and by dispatching his officers away from where the traffickers would be transporting drugs. Guerra received money from the traffickers for the tips that helped them elude detection and arrest.

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“In determining the sentence he ultimately handed down,” the press release said, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane “considered and commented upon Guerra's abuse of his position of trust as the police chief for Sullivan City noting that his conduct undermined the community's faith in law enforcement.”

Moreno added: "We agree Guerra's abuse of his position undermines the community's faith in law enforcement. However, we trust this investigation and prosecution serves as a significant step toward restoring that faith."

Seven other men pled guilty in connection with the trafficking case and received jail sentences ranging from 30 months to about five years. One defendant is from Mexico, the other six are from Sullivan City. They range in age from 18 to 41 years old.

Follow Elizabeth Llorente on Twitter: @LlorenteLatino

Elizabeth.Llorente@FoxNewsLatino.com

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