Two US border inspectors in Southern California have been charged with taking 1000’s of {dollars} in bribes to permit individuals to enter the nation by way of the nation’s busiest port of entry with out displaying paperwork, prosecutors mentioned.
US Customs and Border Safety officers Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez had been assigned to immigration inspection cubicles on the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
They had been charged after investigators discovered cellphone proof displaying they’d exchanged messages with human traffickers in Mexico and found unexplained money deposits into their financial institution accounts, in accordance with a prison grievance unsealed Thursday.
Surveillance video confirmed a minimum of one occasion by which a automobile with a driver and a passenger stopped at a checkpoint however solely the motive force was documented as having entered the nation, prosecutors mentioned.
Prosecutors mentioned the officers waved dozens of autos carrying individuals with out paperwork.
They mentioned each males had been paid 1000’s for every automobile they waved by way of.
It wasn’t instantly recognized if Almonte has an lawyer who can communicate on his behalf.
The Nationwide Border Patrol Council, the union representing Border Patrol officers, didn’t instantly return an electronic mail looking for remark.
Rodriguez’s lawyer, Michael Hawkins, mentioned the case was nonetheless within the “infant stages” and that Rodriguez has the presumption of innocence.
“We look forward to working through the current situation,” Hawkins mentioned in an electronic mail by which he described Rodriguez as hardworking and constant.
The investigation on Almonte and Rodriguez began after three migrant smugglers who had been arrested final yr instructed federal investigators they’d been working with US border inspectors, federal prosecutors mentioned.
Whereas Almonte was in custody, investigators allegedly seized almost $70,000 in money they imagine his romantic accomplice was attempting to maneuver to Tijuana.
Prosecutors wrote in a courtroom submitting that Almonte is doubtlessly dealing with further fees for cash laundering and obstruction of justice, The San Diego Union Tribune reported.
“Any Customs and Border Protection agent who aids or turns a blind eye to smugglers bringing undocumented immigrants into the US is betraying their oath and endangering our national security,” Appearing US Legal professional Andrew Haden instructed the newspaper in a press release.
There have been 5 US Customs and Border Safety officers assigned to the San Diego space to face related corruption fees within the final two years.
Final yr, former US border inspector Leonard Darnell George was sentenced to 23 years in jail for taking bribes to permit individuals and drug-laden autos to enter the nation by way of the San Ysidro border crossing.
Two different former border officers on the Otay Mesa and Tecate ports of entry had been charged final yr with related fees.
They’re anticipated to go on trial this summer time.
