Willie Gandara Jr. pleads guilty on two counts of drug trafficking

Former County Commissioner Wille Gandara Jr. appeared before a federal judge Friday. He was arrested in February onfive counts of drug trafficking. Friday, he pleaded guilty to two of those drug trafficking charges.

Some people have called him “The Prince of the Valley.” He comes from a long line of family politicians.

In 2008 he was elected county commisioner and he had high hopes of representing the Sun City in Austin but now he’s a convicted felon.

Gandara walked into the courthouse with his younger brother at his side but it was because of a walk in handcuffs after an arrest in February that landed him in prison.

At one point one of his his properties was holding more than 200 pounds of marijuana.

With his family in the court room, Gandara stood before a federal judge not once looking at him. He paused for several seconds, as the courtroom became dead silent and with a stern voice he pleaded guilty on two counts.

“He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute and he also pleaded guilty to manufacturing location,” said Attorney Joe Spencer.

Gandara walked out of the courtroom with little to say.

ABC-7 asked Gandara if he had anything to say to his constituents, “just talk to my attorney at this time,” said Gandara.

“I think he understands the nature of his conduct,” said Spencer, “and that’s why he decided to accept responsibility.”

Just like the responsibility he took when being sworn in as county commissioner.

ABC-7 had the opportunity to shoot video when he was elected in 2008.
Back then he told his constituents he would give 90 percentof his salary to his district.

“A person such as myself is doing it because he wants to give back to the people that have given me so much,” said Gandara.

Spencer tells us Gandara is owning up to his actions as a drug trafficker.

“He’s very remorseful. He’s very regretful as an example he set. It’s a bad example,” said Spencer, “He’s very ashamed for his conduct. He’s told me that many many times.”

Gandara bonded out and will be sentenced Nov. 14.