Former DA investigator sentenced in bribe case

By Matt Pordum (contact)

Friday, June 18, 2004 | 11:23 a.m.

As he sentenced a former district attorney's office investigator to two to five years in prison for offering to fix court warrants for a woman in exchange for sex, District Judge Donald Mosley on Thursday said it was a "sad day for the criminal justice system."

Pete Baldonado, 60, entered the equivalent of a no-contest plea to one count of coercion. With what is known as an Alford plea, Baldonado admits no guilt but acknowledges the attorney general's office could prove its case.

Baldonado also pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct for using his position as a district attorney investigator to quash warrants in exchange for sexual favors.

Baldonado allegedly went to the victim's home on the pretense of talking to her about an upcoming murder trial. Baldonado then forced her to have sex with him, Hafen said.

A veteran investigative field officer for the district attorney's major violator unit, Baldonado was arrested on the bribery charge after a joint sting operation conducted by the FBI.

Prosecutors had asked for Baldonado to get the maximum sentence of seven to 10 years. Senior Deputy Attorney General Conrad Hafen said he was glad that Baldonado at least got some prison time.

"He (Baldonado) is a predator and predators belong in a cage," Hafen said.

Hafen hopes this ruling will send a message and help clean up the law enforcement community.

"I certainly believe this is a good beginning to healing the wounds of the victim and the law enforcement community," Hafen said. "With that said there is still a lot of work that must be done here."

Baldonado's attorney, William Terry, asked Mosley to consider the many years of productive service his client had given not only to the Clark County community as an investigator, but also to the country as he was a decorated serviceman that served two tours in Vietnam.

In the end Baldonado's past was overcome by the charges he was accused of as the victim told the court how his actions have forever changed her life.

"My life will never be the same," she said. "I lost time at work, I'm depressed and very stressed. I don't have all the awards you have and I don't think you should shine today. Everything is so different now that I don't even go to my own home anymore. I don't want to be there anymore. I don't even want to be here and face you, but I had to face my fears so I can move on."

She said she would never be able to look at someone in law enforcement without thinking the worst.

"When I see people like you (law enforcement) come to my job I run to the back room," She said. "Your badge and your gun is to be used to protect and serve, not to misuse and abuse and to take what you want."