Ex-law enforcement officer admits to transporting drug money

HOUSTON, TX -- A former deputy constable and her husband have entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Betty Jean Molina, 57, pleaded guilty today, while her husband - Henry Molina, 60 – entered his plea July 28. Both reside in Houston. The couple admitted to transporting what they believed to be approximately a half-million dollars in drug proceeds on multiple occasions. They had also agreed to transport heroin.

At the time of the offense, Betty Molina was a deputy constable with Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office, but she is no longer employed there. As part of her plea, she admitted to using her law enforcement credentials when stopped for speeding on one of their trips.

As part of the pleas, the couple admitted to obtaining several thousand dollars of what they believed to be drug proceeds and brought it back to Houston. On at least one occasion, they also transported a significant amount of narcotics.

In return, they received approximately $30,000 combined for all of their criminal actions.

U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. accepted both pleas and set sentencing for Jan. 26, 2021. At that time, they each face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison as well as a possible $10 million fine.

The couple was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.

The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alamdar S. Hamdani and Arthur R. Jones are prosecuting the case.