EL PASO – www.dallasnews.com- A state judge faces federal charges of taking money and asking for sex from defendants in exchange for help in felony cases in his El Paso court.

Manuel J. Barraza, 53, did not enter a plea during a brief hearing in federal court Thursday afternoon. He is scheduled to be arraigned next week.

He was released after posting $10,000 bail and told reporters that he had faith in the justice system.

The FBI arrested Barraza, who was elected in November and took the bench in January, at his house Thursday morning. He was indicted on four counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud and lying to a federal agent.

The 10-page indictment alleges that Barraza took cash bribes and asked for sex from defendants, including an undercover FBI agent, in exchange for his help in felony cases.