RAMON A. VILLAFRANCA

On July 18, 2003, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed a final judgment of disbarment against Laredo attorney Ramon A. Villafranca, 62, SBOT Card No. 20581685. On March 3, 2000, the Board signed an Interlocutory Order suspending Villafranca from the practice of law pending the appeal of his criminal conviction for conspiracy to obstruct, delay and affect commerce by means of extortion, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1951, an intentional crimes as defined in the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, in Case No. 5 98 CR 00741-001 styled, United States of America v. Ramon Amado Villafranca, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division. Villafranca was sentenced to 63 months in prison. The Interlocutory Order provided that in the event Villafranca's conviction became final, he would be disbarred. On or about August 16, 2001, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a mandate affirming the judgment in the criminal case.