Border agent pleads guilty to smuggling immigrants

03:47 PM CDT on Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Associated Press

EL PASO, Texas – A U.S. Border Patrol agent pleaded guilty Wednesday to his role in an immigrant smuggling conspiracy, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Jesus M. Huizar pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle, transport and harbor illegal immigrants and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Huizar was indicted in April along with three Mexican nationals.

According to federal prosecutors, Huizar and Emeterio Sigala Favela, 37, Luis Carlos Chacon Rubio, 32, and Rosa Isela Escajeda, 46, had worked together since 2005 to smuggle more than 100 illegal immigrants into the United States.

Investigators said Huizar was paid about $350 for each person he helped get through Border Patrol checkpoints in New Mexico.

In pleading guilty, Huizar also agreed to forfeit an El Paso house he owned that was used as a safe house for illegal immigrants, prosecutors said.

He faces up to five years in prison.

A trial date has not been set for the others accused in the conspiracy. Each faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

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