Thread: BP agent indicted for smuggling illegals .

Border agent indicted
By Diana Washington Valdez / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 05/15/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT


Border Patrol agent Jesus M. Huizar, was walked Wednesday from the El Paso County jail to the U.S. Courthouse for a preliminary hearing after being arrested on charges of conspiracy to smuggle undocumented immigrants. (Mark Lambie / El Paso TImes)An El Paso U.S. Border Patrol agent was indicted on charges that he laundered money and conspired with two people from Mexico to smuggle undocumented immigrants into the United States, officials announced Wednesday.
The agent, Jesus M. Huizar, 28, was arrested Tuesday, along with Chihuahua residents Emeterio Sigala-Favela, 37, and Luis Carlos Chacon-Rubio, 32, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney's office for the Western District of Texas in San Antonio.

They were scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norbert Garney on Wednesday at the federal courthouse in El Paso.

The federal indictment alleges the three suspects had conspired since January 2005 to smuggle more than 100 undocumented immigrants into the United

Border Patrol agent Jesus M. Huizar, 28, was walked Wednesday from the El Paso County Jail to the U.S. Court house for a preliminary hearing after being arrested on charges of conspiracy to smuggle undocumented immigrants. Huizar, who allegedly conspired with two Chihuahua men, Emeterio Sigala-Favela, 37, and Luis Carlos Chacon-Rubio, 32, who were also arrested, was allegedly paid $500 for each migrant who crossed into the United States. Officials believe Huizar had been involved in the smuggling ring since 2005. (Mark Lambie / El Paso Times)States from Mexico.
"Specifically, Huizar was paid a portion of the smuggling fees to facilitate the transportation of undocumented (immigrants) through the interior Border Patrol checkpoints in New Mexico," the indictment states.

Huizar also is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The indictment further seeks the forfeiture of a safe house Huizar reportedly owns in the 9000 block of Geranium in the Lower Valley, and a monetary judgment of $500,000, allegedly the proceeds from criminal activity.

If convicted, he agent, who has been on the force five years, faces up to 30 years in federal prison, and Sigala-Favela and Chacon-Rubio face up to 10 years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Department
of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Juanita Fielden is prosecuting the case for the government.

"ICE is relentless in identifying and arresting corrupt federal officers who stray from their charge of enforcing the rule of law and protecting the homeland," said Roberto G. Medina, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in El Paso. "We will continue to work diligently with our federal law enforcement partners to assure the American public that we will maintain the public's trust."

Huizar and the other two suspects were in custody Wednesday at the El Paso County Jail. No bond had been set.

Diana Washington Valdez may be reached at dvaldez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6140.



http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_9262970

Why does the BP even hire agents of Mexican heritage? Seems they can be bought, why put them in that position???

Originally Posted by miguelina

Why does the BP even hire agents of Mexican heritage? Seems they can be bought, why put them in that position???

I have often wondered the same thing miguelina. I'm not necesarily worried about the Mexican heritage as I am the immigration status of their parents. Someone who is only one generation removed from parents who may have entered this country illegally may have deep sympathies for illegals and their plight. These sympathies may be be exploited if given the right situation and conditions. Especially Border Patrol Agents who often work alone in isolated conditions and without much supervision.

It seems troubling to me that we would place someone in a position to defend our borders when in fact their parents may have broken the very laws they are being called upon to enforce. Of course I have no idea as to the immigrations status of this agents parents. However, in general, immigration status of parents should be a consideration when hiring Border Patrol Officers.