Border agent pleads guilty to range of charges
By Dale Quinn
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.23.2008
advertisementA U.S. Border Patrol agent pleaded guilty to drug, bribery and fraud charges earlier this week, according to information released by the U.S. Attorney's Office Thursday.
In his plea agreement Agent Juan Luis Sanchez, 31, admitted that he and at least one other person possessed with intent to distribute about 3,000 pounds of marijuana.
Sanchez also admitted that he received $45,000 in bribes and that he fraudulently received workers' compensation benefits.
He pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count bribery of a public official and one count workers' compensation fraud.
Sanchez admitted that he transported marijuana in his Border Patrol vehicle on six separate occasions from the summer of 2002 to January 28, 2004, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The loads ranged in size from 376 pounds to 921 pounds.
He also admitted that he fraudulently received workers' compensation benefits from an on-duty vehicle accident.
Sanchez had been on indefinite suspension from the Border Patrol, and he resigned immediately following his guilty plea, the release said.
According to Sanchez's plea agreement, he faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison.
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