Monday, September 10, 2012

A former Mexican law enforcement official who worked closely with U.S. authorities on organized crime investigations has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison for aiding a Mexican drug cartel.

Jesus Quinonez was sentenced Monday in San Diego federal court. He apologized for his actions, saying what began as a well-intentioned relationship with an informant led him to make mistakes.

The 41-year-old former international liaison could have been sentenced to life in prison.

In a plea agreement prosecutors recommended only eight years and a month.

Quinonez admitted that he agreed to help smuggle $13 million into Mexico for the cartel.