Victor Canales, the Starr County attorney from 2005 to 2022, pleaded guilty to extortion under color of law during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa in McAllen.

While in office, the Rio Grande Valley attorney was responsible for prosecuting misdemeanor crimes in Starr County. In September 2021, a woman contacted Canales for help because her son was charged with three misdemeanor offenses, according to the court record.