The First Instance Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice sentenced the former director of the National Police, retired general Rodolfo Bautista Palomino López, to a prison sentence of seven years and one day for his responsibility in the crime of influence peddling as a public servant.

During the oral trial, a prosecutor delegated to the Supreme Court of Justice demonstrated the responsibility of the accused in trying to persuade a prosecutor not to capture a person being investigated for multiple crimes.

On February 8, 2014, the then director of the National Police, accompanied by another officer, entered the prosecutor’s home to ask her to suspend the operation to capture an accused, a procedure that was already underway.

The prosecutor affected by the undue pressure from the senior official filed the complaint and provided the audio recording of the visit.

The decision indicates that Palomino López took advantage of his position of authority and improperly used the position to pressure the official and favor an individual.

The ruling also imposes a fine of 174.99 monthly legal minimum wages in force for 2014 and disqualification from exercising public functions for 96 months.

This decision is of first instance and legal remedies apply to it.

This information is published for reasons of general interest.