District Clerk’s Last-Minute Decision Keeps Him Out Of Jail
EL PASO — District Clerk Gilbert Sanchez’s last-minute forfeiture of requested records kept him out of jail, according to visiting judge Carl Pendergrass’ office.
On September 8, 2008, Pendergrass issued an order instructing Sanchez to turn over documents to a local attorney.
The order could have included disclosure of legally protected documents, so the County Attorney’s Office requested a clarification of the order and advised Sanchez not to turn over the documents until a clarification had been received.
Tuesday, during a hearing on the case, Pendergrass found the District Clerk in contempt of court for not turning over the documents when ordered and sentenced him to 90 days in jail.
The judgegave Mr. Sanchez an opportunity to avoid jail if he turned over the records. Sanchez provided the records as requested by the courtTuesday afternoon.
The matter will now be assigned to a new independent judge who will review Pendergrass’ contempt of court judgment and determine if Sanchez is in fact guilty of violating the court order.
No date for a hearing has been set at this time.
