SULLIVAN CITY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Sullivan City Council had several major decisions to make on Monday.
An energy consultant wanted Sullivan City to sign a seven-year contract. The City Council remained divided over a proposal to pay a lawyer $2,000 per month for “special projects.” And the city needed to select an early voting location for the May election.
City Councilman Ruben Villalon, however, didn’t show up to discuss the issues facing Sullivan City — because he’s facing two felony drug charges.
“In his heart, he’s a good person,” said Elisa Soliz, 68, of Sullivan City, who knows the Villalon family. “But he made the wrong choices.”
The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office arrested Villalon on Friday afternoon.
Villalon is charged with selling cocaine from Ruben’s Tire Shop, which is located near the intersection of El Pinto Road and Gardenia Street in Sullivan City.
Attorney Rick Salinas of Mission said he advised Villalon not to attend the City Council meeting on Monday, concerned his client would become a distraction.
“I’ve also advised him not to go to the first few meetings,” Salinas said. “Until we get a better idea of what’s going on.”
Salinas also told Villalon not to resign.
“I’m not ready to do that,” Salinas said. “Because I don’t want anybody to think that he’s admitting any kind of guilt.”
According to affidavits signed by a Sheriff’s Office investigator, the case against Villalon is based partly on information provided by an informant.
“I respect what the Sheriff’s Office did. I’m not claiming anybody there did anything wrong,” Salinas said. “But I’m very, very cautious when it comes to confidential sources. I’d like to know who the guy is.”
Information provided by law enforcement sources is sometimes misleading, Salinas said, or flat-out false.
“In Sullivan City, you know — I don’t have to tell you this — anything that happens over there is a little bit questionable,” Salinas said.
