UPDATE (5/31): No bond set for two former Cameron County deputies now in custody.

Both men made their initial appearance in a federal court in Brownsville Friday morning.

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LA FERIA – Two former deputies with the Cameron County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office are charged with conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right and wire fraud.

Benito De La Cruz Jr., 45, of San Benito, and Armando Gonzalez Jr., 31, of Weslaco, are accused of unlawfully running license plate and criminal history checks.

They allegedly performed or asked others to perform these law enforcement database checks in return for money or gifts.

De La Cruz is also charged with five counts of making false statements to federal officers.

Both are expected to go before a judge Friday morning.