Former federal detention center employee indicted for bribery

A 21-year-old Weslaco woman was arrested and accused of bringing contraband into the  East Hidalgo Detention Center .

Amber Estrada, a former employee at the detention center, was arrested last month, according to a news release.

According to the charges, federal authorities discovered various forms of contraband approximately January 2019 in the East Hidalgo Detention Center, a correctional facility under contract with the U.S. Marshals Service. The indictment alleges Estrada accepted things of value in exchange for bringing contraband into the detention center while employed as a correctional officer.

She is no longer employed at the facility.

If convicted, Estrada faces up to 15 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The U.S. Marshals Service, Department of Justice – Office of Inspector General and FBI conducted the joint investigation.