HOUSTON -- Convicted former Houston City Councilman Ben Reyes became a free man Friday after 10 years in federal custody, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Reyes was convicted in 1996 on bribery and conspiracy for taking $51,000 cash to influence votes for the convention center hotel project while he was on Houston City Council.

Reyes, 59, was released from a halfway house near Minute Maid Park, where he spent the past year. He spent nine years in federal prisons.

He was caught in an FBI sting saying, "I'm going to buy me some leaders."

Upon his release, Reyes said he has a job lined up in construction and he plans to focus on his family.

"I let a lot of people down about 10 years ago and for that, I'm sorry. I hope they'll forgive me and I beg someday that they'll see me as a different kind of human being -- one that suffered a lot but one that's learned a lot," Reyes said.

A woman Reyes described as "a significant other" picked him up from the halfway house.

"I’m going to try to start my life over again -- just kind of figure out where everything's at. It's been a long time and (I want to) try to enjoy a little bit of freedom. I haven't had any for about 10 years," Reyes said. "(I'm) a different human being. You get closer to yourself. You get closer to religion. You get closer to those that are important to you -- that mean a lot to you."

Reyes said he plans to write about his time behind bars. He also wants to teach and mentor children at risk so they can learn from his mistakes.

Reyes served in the state House of Representatives from 1973-1979 and then on Houston City Council until 1995.