MCALLEN – An elected judge in Hidalgo County was on the other side of the bench Monday.

Hidalgo County 93rd District Court Judge Rudy Delgado is charged with bribery.

His initial court appearance started around 11 a.m. Monday. Delgado along with his family walked out of the federal courthouse around 4:30 p.m.

He told CHANNEL 5 NEWS he’s innocent but federal agents who arrested him disagree.

Delgado is suspected of taking money in exchange for favorable rulings. The criminal complaint explains the FBI started their surveillance on Delgado in November 2016.

FBI agents conducting the investigation say they used a confidential source who is also a licensed attorney.

The source explains Delgado was paid multiple times in exchange for favorable rulings on criminal cases.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke to Delgado as he was leaving the federal court building.

“We have the presumption of innocence and intent to let the judicial process takes its course,” said Delgado.

Federal agents say they used audio and video recordings of the judge to catch the alleged crime.

The judge is currently out on bond.

As part of his bond, Delgado must surrender his passports, is not allowed to travel to Mexico or anywhere outside the Southern District of Texas. He's also not allowed to possess a firearm and must refrain from excessive use of alcohol. 

If convicted, Delgado faces up to 10 years in federal prison.