EDINBURG – A Hidalgo County assistant district attorney was arrested on federal charges Monday in connection to a bribery plot at a detention facility.

According to a statement by Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney, Ricardo Rodriguez Jr., Cynthia Alanis was arrested by federal authorities and was then terminated. It was her actions involving her brother, which led to her indictment.

A federal indictment says Alanis lied about knowing of a 2018-2019 bribery scheme, that’s when her bother and attorney, Roel Alanis, was reportedly paying employees of Willacy County Regional and El Valle Detention centers. The facility would supply him with detainee rosters.

Roel Alanis is suspected of using the list to solicit immigrants in detention. The government believes he would also instruct his sister, or others, to do the same. Two of those employees already said they’re guilty.

Cynthia Alanis is facing a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.