An El Paso Sheriff’s Deputy Once Tried To Blackmail Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash thought the worst part of his arrest in El Paso was over once he got out of jail but, 20 years later, the issue was back.

The legendary "Man In Black', Johnny Cash, was busted in El Paso in 1965 for possession when he was caught coming back from Juarez with 668 Dexadrine and 475 Equanil tablets in his guitar case. Wow, go big or go home, huh?

He was tried and sentenced to $1,000 fine and a 30-day suspended sentence. A slap on the wrist considering how tough the courts were on drugs in the 60's.

That was that though and I'm sure Cash was happy to forget that it ever happened but, in the 80's, he got a reminder.

In 1984 a former El Paso County Sheriff's sergeant tried to "black"mail the "man in black". Jesus Gurrola sent Cash a hand written letter in which he threatened to send Cash's arrest records and mug shot to several national magazines.

The letter didn't ask for any specific amount of money but did point out that Gurrola greatly admired Cash because he "always fought back". That's how he treats people he admires? Can you imagine what he does to peeps that he doesn't like?

Gurrola was with EPSO from 1979 - 1983 and was fired by Sheriff Mike Davis. Soon after that, he tried to extort money from Cash. It doesn't seem like he thought this out very well though.

Not only was this a lame attempt at extortion, Cash's arrest wasn't exactly a secret. Even in the 60's, famous musicians getting popped for drug possession tended to make headlines.

Ironically, in 1979, Cash was deputized as a sheriff in Tennessee.  He was also deputized in Texas 20 years earlier.