BajaNomad

If A $100,000 Year (Salary & Benefits) CBP Agent Can Be Corrupted...

DavidE - 7-11-2012 at 12:01 PM

SAN DIEGO — Two former Border Patrol agents who are also brothers went on trial in federal court Friday, accused of smuggling scores of illegal immigrants into the United States as part of a binational human-smuggling ring.

Raul and Fidel Villarreal each abruptly quit their jobs as agents six years ago after being tipped off that they were the target of a federal investigation, prosecutors said. The brothers lived in Mexico for several years until they were caught in 2008 and sent back to the U.S. in 2009.

They have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, immigrant smuggling, receiving bribes, money laundering and tampering with witnesses.

The case against the Villarreals is one of the higher profile corruption cases among border agency law enforcement personnel in recent years. Since 2004, more than 120 U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have been indicted nationally on various corruption charges. The agency oversees Border Patrol and other border law enforcement agencies.

The notoriety of this trial may be because Raul Villarreal, 42, was for several years a Border Patrol spokesman in San Diego.

He appeared frequently in the news media on both sides of the border. He once portrayed a hardened immigrant smuggler in a public service message on behalf of the Mexican government aimed at discouraging illegal immigration.

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Salel said Friday that watchdogging the border was the last thing on the minds of Raul or his 43-year-old brother, Fidel.

“Instead of defending the border, they decided to profit from it,” Salel told jurors as the trial against the brothers began before U.S. District Judge John Houston.

But J. David Nick, the lawyer for Raul Villarreal, told jurors that there is little direct evidence connecting his client to smuggling. He said the government’s case rides mostly on testimony from paid informants and other members of the ring who agreed to cooperate against the brothers.

Salel said Raul, who joined the Border Patrol in 1995 and was assigned to the Imperial Beach station, was the founder of the organization. He worked with Claudia Gonzalez of Tijuana to set up the ring in April 2005.

A few months later, he recruited to the group brother Fidel, who had joined the Border Patrol in 1998 and worked at the Brown Field station, Salel said.

The ring eventually grew to some 14 people. Among them was a now deceased Tijuana municipal police chief, Gerardo Santiago Prado, who was killed in 2006. Santiago provided safe transport for illegal immigrants through Tijuana to the border.

There, a foot guide walked immigrants across through gaps in the fence or around the border fortifications, Salel said. They were met on the other side by one of the Villarreal brothers, in full Border Patrol uniform, who loaded them into marked Border Patrol vehicles.

The immigrants were transported to designated areas where other drivers in the ring would pick them up from the Villarreals and take them further north.

Corrupt law enforcement officers on both sides of the border virtually guaranteed safe passage — a “red carpet” for illegal immigrants recruited mostly from Brazil, Salel said. Some of the immigrants, who paid up to $12,000 for safe passage, were later caught and may testify during the trial.

sancho - 7-11-2012 at 02:13 PM

They pick one once in a while, at Calexico they got
a CBP Officer letting drugs thru, the border traffic
would have to be light, as they rotate them to
ATTEMPT to stop that practice. Wonder how many
times this takes place, the illegals are one thing, the
drug smmugglers are another. Talked to a CBP
at a crossing a while back, he was transferred here from
a harbor on the East Coast, said they pay him
so well he could never quit. Went thru the Otay ped
crossing a while back, there were 2 CBP sitting with
their feet up, munching fritos, looking at the xray
machine, just kicking back, another trio were in
San Ysidro CBP bldg., laughing high fiving eachother
talking about their weekend, shall we say, lacking
professionalism

woody with a view - 7-11-2012 at 02:23 PM

hang 'em high, in public after they are convicted. OR put them in general population for 20 years.

BajaBruno - 7-11-2012 at 03:01 PM

"Since October 1, 2004, 138 CBP employees have been arrested or indicted for acts of corruption including drug smuggling, alien smuggling, money laundering, and conspiracy. During this same period more than 2,000 CBP employees have been charged in other criminal misconduct, including off duty behavior that serves to undermine the confidence of the public that we serve." Written testimony of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Deputy Commissioner Thomas Winkowski for a House Committee on Homeland Security.

This doesn't include those who were fired for misconduct without criminal charges.

This, from the same written testimony, "On May 1, 2012, the former Acting Director of Intelligence for ICE pled guilty to defrauding the Government of more than $180,000 in a three year long scheme involving fraudulent travel vouchers and time and attendance claims." It seems that the problem reaches pretty close to the top.

There are about 58,000 CBP employees, which means that about 4% have been arrested for corruption and other criminal misconduct. It is probably no coincidence that the CBP has the lowest entrance standards of any federal law enforcement agency (no offense to any of the honest and well-qualified CBP people out there).

thebajarunner - 7-11-2012 at 03:33 PM

Remember a few years back a top sergeant at Camp Pendleton Marine base was driving illegals across the base and past the I-5 checkpoint.

What a way to end a military career.

pascuale - 7-12-2012 at 11:50 AM

It is too bad that these scumbags give the hardworking agents a bad name. There are corrupt and lazy people in every occupation. Remember the good ones.

Bajafun777 - 7-15-2012 at 07:49 PM

Unfortunately, there are the "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly" in all professions both public and private. These corrupt people put all the others in law enforcement at risk, as they give out any and all information just for another illegal payday. At least it appears there are pitfalls for those that go this corrupt illegal path with jail time and disgrace awaiting them! Take Care & Travel Safe "No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777

Ateo - 7-15-2012 at 08:02 PM

Then anyone can be corrupted............Even if they were paid $300K/year they could be corrupted. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Market-Based Solutions

MrBillM - 7-15-2012 at 09:23 PM

One way to turn the "problem(?)" on its head would be to PAY the agents an Incentive bonus for each Illegal apprehended thereby encouraging them to actually do their jobs.

Imaginative agents could even work out a system whereby "some" would accept consignments from the coyotes and then notify fellow officers where they could pick them up and splitting the returns among themselves.

EVERYBODY Wins.

Except the Illegals.

And we don't want them to win anyway.

DO we ?

Additionally:

With the proper profit incentive, perhaps we could even privatize Illegal roundup sweeps.

Why not offer "Turn-in" bounties to ordinary citizens.

Report an Illegal neighbor or co-worker and get a Walmart or Home Depot gift certificate.

Let the market work.

redhilltown - 7-15-2012 at 11:07 PM

Why yes! Let the "market" work. After all in Germany during the 1930's this very concept of turning in people yielded EXCELLENT results...

The German Model ?

MrBillM - 7-16-2012 at 09:13 AM

From all of the History lessons, I don't remember THAT situation having to do with discovering and reporting ILLEGAL ALIENS for the purpose of Deporting them BACK to where they belonged.

Feel free to cite the historical references available which may indicate such.

Thanks

motoged - 7-16-2012 at 10:38 AM

Mr. B. ,
I think the German reference was regarding the vigilantism of "turning people in".

I think historical accounts would confirm that practice.

But, there are those that deny the holocaust.

A GOOD Citizen

MrBillM - 7-16-2012 at 06:05 PM

Turns in Lawbreakers.

Including neighbors if they deserve it.

I have in the past. And will in the future should the occasion arise.

So should YOU.

And you and you and you ...............

EVEN if there isn't a Gift Certificate in the offing.

BTW, "Vigilante" action is acting in a pseudo law-enforcement capacity.

Reporting those who act unlawfully to legitimate legal authorities is NOT being a vigilante.

[Edited on 7-17-2012 by MrBillM]

toneart - 7-16-2012 at 07:25 PM

I reward my dog with a treat whenever he obeys a command. Without this reward, he is as bad and corruptible as a human.

I have always lamented that my dog couldn't be good just because it is the right thing to do.:(

Treating good behavior

MrBillM - 7-17-2012 at 10:01 AM

Unfortunately, MY Dog KNOWS she'll get the treat so it doesn't do much for behavior modification.

MY behavior, on the other hand, is different. Two nights ago, long after the gates were locked and we were settled in, I found that her "Treats" were down to one. Unlocked the gate, drove down to Walmart to resupply.

But, she's mostly a good girl. Other than thinking the neighborhood is her domain and anybody walking down the street is subject to loud reprimand.

The interaction with her is akin to Welfare. Those on the public Teat KNOW that they'll be receiving their reward no matter what and act accordingly.

and folks say mex is corrupt!!

captkw - 7-17-2012 at 10:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBruno
"Since October 1, 2004, 138 CBP employees have been arrested or indicted for acts of corruption including drug smuggling, alien smuggling, money laundering, and conspiracy. During this same period more than 2,000 CBP employees have been charged in other criminal misconduct, including off duty behavior that serves to undermine the confidence of the public that we serve." Written testimony of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Deputy Commissioner Thomas Winkowski for a House Committee on Homeland Security.

This doesn't include those who were fired for misconduct without criminal charges.

This, from the same written testimony, "On May 1, 2012, the former Acting Director of Intelligence for ICE pled guilty to defrauding the Government of more than $180,000 in a three year long scheme involving fraudulent travel vouchers and time and attendance claims." It seems that the problem reaches pretty close to the top.

There are about 58,000 CBP employees, which means that about 4% have been arrested for corruption and other criminal misconduct. It is probably no coincidence that the CBP has the lowest entrance standards of any federal law enforcement agency (no offense to any of the honest and well-qualified CBP people out there).

Those Who Say .............

MrBillM - 7-17-2012 at 05:30 PM

..............Mexico is CORRUPT are ABSOLUTELY Correct.

Regardless of what exists ANYWHERE else.

How did your ancestors get here, Sir???

thebajarunner - 7-17-2012 at 07:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
Turns in Lawbreakers.

Including neighbors if they deserve it.

I have in the past. And will in the future should the occasion arise.

So should YOU.

And you and you and you ...............

EVEN if there isn't a Gift Certificate in the offing.

BTW, "Vigilante" action is acting in a pseudo law-enforcement capacity.

Reporting those who act unlawfully to legitimate legal authorities is NOT being a vigilante.

[Edited on 7-17-2012 by MrBillM]


I know that some of mine came from Norway, some from Ireland and some from Denmark, I also know that none of them had papers....

My wife came across at age 20 with deceased parents and no support, she "did the river"
Twice,
She has a passport, just like yours, a business (actually two of them) and pays all of her taxes (lots of taxes)

Should we deport her?
Hey, she can prove she earned her citizenship,
how did you get yours????????????

redhilltown - 7-17-2012 at 11:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
From all of the History lessons, I don't remember THAT situation having to do with discovering and reporting ILLEGAL ALIENS for the purpose of Deporting them BACK to where they belonged.

Feel free to cite the historical references available which may indicate such.

Thanks


Bill

If you honestly believe there that the Germans did not consider Jews to be "illegal aliens", then I want some of what you are smoking. The historical references might be something called "history".

MY ancestors arrivals ?

MrBillM - 7-18-2012 at 09:08 AM

All traced have been LEGAL.

Starting with a paternal antecedent BEFORE there was a U.S.A. to (the Crown colony of) Massachusetts.

In 1635.

[Edited on 7-18-2012 by MrBillM]

Ah yes, the "Lucky Sperm Club"

thebajarunner - 7-18-2012 at 07:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
All traced have been LEGAL.

Starting with a paternal antecedent BEFORE there was a U.S.A. to (the Crown colony of) Massachusetts.

In 1635.

[Edited on 7-18-2012 by MrBillM]


Such great fortune to be born this side of the line,
it makes it so much simpler, neater and all of that.

So, what have you done to 'earn' your citizenship, besides being dripped in the right spot?

The so-called "illegals" I know bust their butts to make a life for themselves, sometimes when there is no work, no food and no way to support yourself there is no other answer- you come across and try to make a life.

Not like those of us that simply inherited it.

And man, those 1600 era ships must have been awesome- everyone had a relative on board. Amazing!!

1600s Transit

MrBillM - 7-18-2012 at 09:08 PM

I don't know about any others, but in the case of MY Paternal antecedent landing in Massachusetts, it's easily PROVEN. Is there a cash bet to be had ?

I've "Earned" my way by serving, working, paying taxes and (other than traffic citations) being a good citizen as most LEGALS have.

While it's true that (perhaps) most Illegals are otherwise Law-abiding (after violating the law by entering the U.S.), it is also true that their percentage representation among the incarcerated exceeds their percentage of the general populace.

OBVIOUSLY not all of them are hard-working good (non) citizens.

[Edited on 7-19-2012 by MrBillM]

motoged - 7-19-2012 at 09:14 AM

Ya know....it seems that some Nomads have blood in their veins....and others have bile. :?:

BajaBruno - 7-19-2012 at 09:29 AM

BillM, this article is a little old, but the statistics are these:

about 6.4 percent of the nation’s prisoners are noncitizens,

and 6.9 percent of the total United States population are noncitizens.

That makes noncitizens slightly underrepresented in prison.

The level in federal prisons is higher, but that simply reflects the fact that some of these noncitizens are incarcerated as undocumented.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/business/30leonside.html

vacaenbaja - 7-19-2012 at 11:43 AM

Jack Nicolson in "The Boarder" anyone? Old movie about
bribed Boarder patrol agents in El Paso. Must of had more than a kernel of truth to it.

motoged - 7-19-2012 at 12:10 PM

The "BORDER"....

I think was also about caring, loving, and the conflicts those emotions create when they collide with "boundaries"....both physical and ethical/moral.

If I remember, Jack's character was one of the ones with blood in his veins:

"I wanna feel good about something sometime." Texas border patrolman Jack Nicholson's spirits sag at the futility of his job, rounding up illegals for deportation while their exploitative employers skate free. When he discovers that his boss Warren Oates and partner Harvey Keitel are working both sides of the system, he ultimately resolves to do something about it. "

http://www.afi.com/silver/films/2012/v9i2/jacknicholson.aspx

thebajarunner - 7-19-2012 at 03:56 PM

Ah, the brilliance and great foresight to be born on the "right side" of the line.

And then to be self-righteous about it.....
Makes you wonder, does it not.

I would expect an attitude of thankfulness, alongside major efforts to assist those not so lucky.

But then, if your ancestors came over on the right boats, and you can darn well prove it,
well, you just need to protect all of that valuable, hard-earned turf.

Is there sufficient sarcasm dripping off the bottom of this post?