The former mayor of Yona mayor was sentenced Thursday to a little more than three years in federal prison, with credit for the past 15 months he’s been detained.
Jesse Mendiola Blas pleaded guilty to one count of extortion under color of official right. He was indicted on six counts of extortion and seven counts of Travel Act bribery and sentenced to 37 months in prison.
Depending on what the court decided was an accurate amount of bribes paid to Blas, he faced a different range of possible prison time.
According to the prosecution, Blas faced 30 to 37 months in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Sambataro stated Blas received $11,700 from an informant during the investigation, which is above the $6,500 threshold that triggers a more severe punishment.