Update: Barraza Sentenced To 5 Years In Federal Prison

It was an emotional scene inside the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Frank Montalvo on Thursday as he sentenced suspended state judge Manuel “Manny” Barraza to five years in federal prison.

Barraza thanked Montalvo for not taking him into custody immediately after his conviction in February, saying it meant a lot to him and his family to have the time between the conviction and his sentencing.

Barraza called his experience a “personal tragedy” and he quoted the Bible several times as he addressed the court. He said he has faith in God he will return to the bench as a judge.

Barraza lost his composure and began to cry while talking about his how he overcame his humble beginnings to become a state judge.

“I know I will survive this,” Barraza said before saying it was his family he was concerned about.

His family started crying when Barraza’s sentence was said aloud.

Montalvo earlier in the day had denied Barraza’s motion to allow Barraza to self-surrender and Barraza was immediately taken into custody following sentencing.

Barraza was convicted in February of scheming to trade money and sex for favorable rulings.

The suspended judge’s motion to self-surrender cited his complying with conditions of his pre-trial release, that he is not a flight risk, and that Barraza has serious medical conditions that require an evaluation by the Bureau of Prisons. Barraza requested that he be housed in a Bureau of Prisons medical facility in Fort Worth.

Barraza is also facing a separate charge of nepotism.

That case is set to go to trial next week. Barraza wanted a continuance to get ready for that trial but Montalvo denied the request on Tuesday.

State Judge Patrick Garcia, a member of the Council of Judges, tells ABC-7 that according to the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Barraza has an appeal pending. Barraza remains on suspension without pay.

Montalvo ordered Barraza to forfeit to the government $5,100 in bribe money he received. Montalvo also ordered that Barraza be placed under supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.

Barraza’s attorney said they have already started an appeal and said they were waiting on a Supreme Court decision related to his case that could have an effect on it. It was not immediately clear if his attorney was referring to the Texas or U.S. Supreme Court.

Barraza was handcuffed in the courtroom and led away by bailiffs.