Border agent’s dad sold drugs, in U.S. illegally

SAN DIEGO — The father of a Border Patrol agent who was found hiding in the agent’s San Diego home has pleaded guilty to drug charges and being in the country illegally.

Marcos Manzano Sr. entered a guilty pleas before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nita Stormes on Tuesday. He pleaded guilty to one charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and a second of being a previously deported alien found in the country.

Manzano was found living in a home authorities said was owned by his son, Marcos Manzano Jr., an agent who joined the Border Patrol in 2007. The younger Manzano pleaded guilty on July 15 to a charge of harboring illegal immigrants and aiding and abetting.

The plea agreement requires him to forfeit the home to the government.

Federal agents spotted the senior Manzano living at the home on Shooting Star Drive in 2009. On several subsequent occasions the son was spotted living there with his father.

On Jan. 10, agents with the Border Corruption Task Force arrested the younger Manzano when he reported to work at the Imperial Beach station. The father surrendered to authorities several weeks later.

greg.moran@uniontrib.com • (619) 293-1236 • Twitter @gregmoran

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