You'd think the BP would know their agents family backgrounds better. The agent had to choose between country and family, but he applied for the job
knowing what conflicts could arise from the situation.
A U.S. Border Patrol agent is accused of harboring illegal immigrants, including his father.
According to the FBI, Marcos Gerardo Manzano Jr., 26, was arrested Monday at the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station.
Around 6 a.m.Tuesday, a SWAT team raided Manzano's house in the 3600 block of Shooting Star Drive in San Ysidro and arrested suspected undocumented
immigrant Jose Alfredo Garrido-Morena, also 26.
“It looked like a movie. It was a big scene," said neighbor Daniel Lazo. "Seems impossible. They were everywhere."
"They went inside every house," Lazo said. "We couldn't get out. It was crazy.”
According to a complaint unsealed in U.S. District Court in San Diego Tuesday afternoon, Garrido-Morena had been living at the residence along with
Manzano and the accused agent's 46-year-old father, Marcos Gerardo Manzano Sr.
The elder Manzano faces federal immigration-violation charges in the case. Tuesday night, the FBI was still looking for him.
Manzano Jr. and Garrido-Morena were being held in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown San Diego.
Their initial appearances in federal court are scheduled for Wednesday morning.
Source: BP Agent Accused of Aiding Illegal Immigrants | NBC San DiegoWoooosh - 1-13-2011 at 11:13 AM
Border Patrol agent's home had hidden room
SAN DIEGO — Federal agents found an underground room beneath the backyard patio at the home of a Border Patrol agent charged with harboring illegal
immigrants, a federal prosecutor said in court Wednesday.
The room was discovered during a raid by a large contingent of federal officials Tuesday at the San Ysidro home of Border Patrol Agent Marcos G.
Manzano Jr.
Manzano, 26, appeared in court to face charges of harboring illegal immigrants, aiding and abetting, and lying to a federal officer. Authorities also
filed an allegation seeking forfeiture of the home on Shooting Star Drive.
The room at Manzano’s home was accessed by moving a large concrete slab and climbing down a ladder, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. She
said a corridor then led to a room about 7 feet to 8 feet high.
Inside that room agents found Jose Alfredo Garrido-Morena, 26. McGrath said he was hiding beneath a table. Garrido was arrested and charged with being
in the country illegally after previously being deported. His bond was set Wednesday at $40,000.
During the search of the home, authorities also found 61 grams — a little more than two ounces — of methamphetamine as well as a “substantial” amount
of narcotics packaging and other materials, McGrath said. As a result, Manzano may also be facing drug-related charges in the future.
She said authorities believe the room was used to hide drugs or illegal immigrants, or perhaps both.
Manzano was arrested Monday night at his job at the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station. He has worked for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
since August 2007 and now is suspended indefinitely, said Steven Pitts, a Border Patrol spokesman.
His father, Marcos Manzano Sr., 46, was living at the home with the son for at least a year, authorities said. The elder Manzano faces charges of
being in the country illegally after previously being deported, the last time following a drug conviction in state court. He was not arrested Tuesday
and remains at large.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Louisa S. Porter set a $75,000 bond for the younger Manzano, who said little and looked on quietly during the brief hearing.
Defense lawyer Frank Ragen said the border patrol agent had lived in San Diego his whole life. His mother and an aunt were in court to support him.
McGrath said that the younger Manzano had ties to Mexico, including a girlfriend who lives there, and he crosses the border frequently. She said he
had also previously been arrested for drunken driving, which she said he never reported to the agency.
Ragen said that charge eventually ended up as a reckless driving charge.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection would not comment on the case against the younger Manzano, but issued a statement.
It said, in part: “We do not tolerate corruption or abuse within our ranks, and we fully cooperate with any criminal or administrative investigations
of alleged misconduct by any of our personnel, on or off duty.
“Corruption by employees tarnishes our badge and our reputation, brings dishonor to our service and most importantly jeopardizes our border security.”sanquintinsince73 - 1-13-2011 at 11:47 AM
I wonder if he is maybe part of organized crime. I've heard that cartels are now "grooming" youngsters in the U.S. to join CBP when they turn 21.Brian L - 1-13-2011 at 11:52 AM
I would bet he was "groomed". Scary how easy it probably is. It is a long-term investment, but cartels have time and money.
Also scary is that terrorists can do the same with our military.motoged - 1-13-2011 at 01:23 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Brian L
I would bet he was "groomed". Scary how easy it probably is. It is a long-term investment, but cartels have time and money.
Also scary is that terrorists can do the same with our military.
Yeah..... ....
and some of them are even white nationalsWoooosh - 1-13-2011 at 04:01 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
Quote:
Originally posted by Brian L
I would bet he was "groomed". Scary how easy it probably is. It is a long-term investment, but cartels have time and money.
Also scary is that terrorists can do the same with our military.
Yeah..... ....
and some of them are even white nationals
No doubt there is much of this (and blame) on both sides. More than most of us Americans would believe. There's just way too much money for those
weak in the moral compass department to resist. I could almost understand a man and his father, but this secret room under the house leads me to
believe there is much more to this story. A very convenient location in San Ysidro/ Imperial Beach too.slimshady - 1-16-2011 at 05:32 PM
How about the cartels hiring former U.S. military personnel to assist in the operations of smuggling and logistics. The cartels have used the services
of U.S. special Forces and specifically 3 former Navy Seals to train and organize its members. One was arrested and now speaks at Terrorsim Liasion
seminars for law enforcement as part of parole.
Make 100k as a Seal or 500k as a assistant to Zeta.Woooosh - 1-16-2011 at 11:23 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by slimshady
How about the cartels hiring former U.S. military personnel to assist in the operations of smuggling and logistics. The cartels have used the services
of U.S. special Forces and specifically 3 former Navy Seals to train and organize its members. One was arrested and now speaks at Terrorsim Liasion
seminars for law enforcement as part of parole.
Make 100k as a Seal or 500k as a assistant to Zeta.
You get more babes as a SEAL and decades at $100K instead of four years at $500K before they turn on you, you get killed by accident, or you get
caught like this guy.durrelllrobert - 1-17-2011 at 02:44 PM
a job well done but I wonder what the cost was for all the federal agents and swat team with all the bullet proff vest and armored vehicle, etc. seems
like an overkill for one scum bag.
