MCALLEN – Rodolfo "Rudy" Delgado was sworn in Wednesday as appellate judge serving in the 13^th Court of Appeals, Place 4.

The seat was left vacant by Judge Nelda Rodriguez who retired.

The oath of office was conducted sometime around 12 p.m., according to the Clerk of the Court for the 13^th Court of Appeals.

Delgado is still facing a federal indictment for taking bribes and violating the travel act while he was a district judge.

His jury trial is scheduled to start late in February.

In the state of Texas, an elected official can hold office until they are finally convicted of a crime, which means they lose all their appeals.