Reverend Speaks To ABC-7 About Jail Visit With Cobos

Former County Judge Anthony Cobos spent a total of five nights in jail before his bond was set on Wednesday afternoon after being arrested last Friday as part of an FBI public corruption investigation.

During his time in jail, he was visited in his cell by El Paso Rev. Lisle Davis. ABC-7 sat down with Davis on Wednesday for an exclusive interview to discuss that visit.

Reverend Davis, who has spent 30 years in prison ministry, said he felt called by God to visit Cobos. He wanted to speak publicly about his visit last Sunday evening with him at El Paso County Jail, not to discuss his guilt or innocence, but because it was one of the most emotional jail visits he’s ever had.

“He remembered me the minute I walked into the cell,” Davis said. “He said, ‘Oh, Thank God, Reverend, you’re here.'”

Davis said he spent nearly an hour with the former El Paso county last weekend in an isolated cell at the El Paso County Jail. He described the 44-year-old, who faces up to 60 years in prison, as “a broken man.”

Davis said going from the courthouse to the jailhouse has been a very difficult and emotional adjustment for Cobos.

“He just lost it, broke down in tears,” Davis said. “So I stopped praying and I just held him, embraced him and said, ‘I’m here for you.'”

Davis said Cobos was most concerned about his family.

“He’s got kids 8 and 7 years old expecting Santa Claus to come in a few days, a week or so, and this happens,” Davis said. “So he was very, very hurt.”

Hurt that the after four-year investigation, the FBI chose to arrest him a week before Christmas. “I hinted at him that it’s best to be cooperative and do what your told because this is a very serious matter,” he said.

Davis said he thinks Cobos’s decision to speak out when the FBI raided his offices didn’t get him any favors.

“I believe the FBI, they’re human beings like the rest of us, and perhaps there was some karma, so to speak, something to do with, ‘You don’t mess with me,'” Davis said.

ABC-7 called the FBI to ask about the timing of the arrest, but did not receive a call back.

As for the charges, Davis said Cobos said, “He felt he needed his day in court and I agree with him 100 percent.”

Before ending the interview, Reverend Davis urged everyone to pray for Cobos.

“Lord be there for his family, be there for his children most importantly, because these kids are going to have to face this and perhaps live with this for the rest of their life,” Davis said.

Davis said Cobos felt he was treated fairly during his time in jail. He also urged everyone to remember that Cobos is innocent until proven guilty.