The one-time Precinct 2 constable, who left office in 2019 months before being indicted in a wide-sweeping public corruption case, briefly appeared in 226th Court Monday morning while Judge Velia Meza discussed the situation with the prosecution, Barrientes Vela’s appeal attorney and court reporters.
Barrientes Vela’s appeal, which is likely to be formally filed sometime next year, was moved from the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio to the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso as part of a docket reallocation. The Eighth COA this summer notified Meza that the written record of the case was not in compliance with Texas rules on appeals and court reporters’ records.
Meza said she has set a Friday deadline to respond to the appeal’s court order to produce a master transcript of the case.on charges ranging from tampering with records to official oppression and aggravated perjury.Barrientes Vela had previously posted a picture of her and Rangel at a human trafficking conference.