Deputy fired, allegedly brought illegal alien over the border

Originally posted by Susie Hassan on: Thursday, October 09, 2008
Last updated on: 10/9/2008 7:03:12 PM

COLLIER COUNTY: A Collier County sheriff's deputy was fired after he was detained by the Royal Canadian Police for allegedly transporting an illegal alien and $12,000 in cash across the U.S. border.

An internal investigation report from the Collier County Sheriff's Office states the problem started with that trip across country lines.

Deputy Miller Cabrera was heading to New York, eventually trying to cross the border into Canada near Champlain.

According to the report, Fernando Perez, an illegal alien, was inside Cabrera's car along with $12,000 Cabrera neglected to report to border patrol.

Once Cabrera got to the border, he was detained by the Royal Canadian Police. U.S. Border Patrol then contacted the Collier County Sheriff's Office, who in turn questioned Cabrera.

In the report, Cabrera states he wasn't sure of Perez's immigration status and that he thought Perez was in "stand by," not legal or illegal.

As for the money, Cabrera says that was for shopping in New York's Chinatown.

But as we dig further into the report, we found Cabrera was given a polygraph test where he was asked "While Fernando Perez was living in your house, did you know he was not legally in the U.S.?"

He answered no.

Another question asked of him was "While you were driving Fernando Perez to Canada, did you know he was not legally in the U.S.?"

Again, Cabrera answered no.

However, the tests showed he may not have been telling the truth.

Cabrera was fired from the sheriff's office and as for Perez; he was allowed to stay in Canada under refugee status.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office issued a statement about Cabrera's arrest:

A Collier County sheriff's deputy was fired after an investigation revealed that he lied to authorities while being questioned as he attempted to cross the border into Canada with an illegal alien.

On Jan. 24, 2008, the Collier County Sheriff's Office was alerted by an agent with the U.S. Border Patrol that Deputy Miller Cabrera had been detained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Patrol on Jan. 21, while trying to enter Canada in the company of a family friend, Fernando Perez- Ospina, who was in the United States illegally.

Mr. Cabrera, who was also accompanied by his two sons, was carrying $12,000 on him at the time he was detained, which he failed to declare. All of the Cabreras were refused entry and sent back to the U.S. Perez-Ospina was granted asylum. Mr. Cabrera did not report the incident to his supervisors when he returned to Collier County.

Mr. Cabrera’s appointment was withdrawn Aug. 25 after an internal affairs investigation found he violated CCSO policies in three areas:

1. "Unlawful or improper conduct on or off duty." Deputy Cabrera failed to declare $12,000 he had on him, in violation of the Canadian Customs Act.

2."Willfully departing from the truth." Deputy Cabrera was untruthful about his knowledge of Mr. Perez-Ospina's illegal status.

3. "Flagrantly violating CCSO rules." Deputy Cabrera failed to notify his supervisor after being questioned by another law enforcement agency, in this case the Royal Canadian Police.

Sheriff Don Hunter does not and will not tolerate this kind of behavior from agency members. There is not a man or woman of the CCSO who does not know our shared position on the matter of illegal immigration and those who inspire and perpetuate it.

Mr. Cabrera’s willful conduct is a direct affront to the Agency, the public we serve and the public’s safety. His behavior expresses an apparent belief that is directly opposed to our philosophical and operational imperatives.

Sheriff Hunter states, “I believe that Mr. Cabrera’s activity is a direct assault on the laws of the United States and that of our neighbor, Canada. His efforts to insert an alien, illegally present in the United States, into another nation is the exact form of activity that corrodes public trust for our domestic security. He has apparently decided in a determined fashion to involve himself in an activity that undermines the rule of law of the United States. His conduct falls so far below our professional standards that he can not qualify to serve alongside the professionals of our Agency.

“I am finished with and reject the conduct of Mr. Cabrera and those of his ilk who believe that the ends justify the means. I remain interested in pursuing any criminal charges that may apply to this case and have directed such a reviewâ€