SAN DIEGO — Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stationed in Southern California have been indicted for allegedly accepting substantial bribes to facilitate illegal border crossings at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the country’s most trafficked border crossing. These allegations highlight a severe breach of trust at this crucial checkpoint, according to federal prosecutors.
Officers Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez, who were responsible for manning immigration inspection booths, reportedly communicated through phone messages with human traffickers operating in Mexico. Investigators noted abnormal cash transactions in the officers’ bank accounts, leading to their charges. Evidence includes surveillance footage capturing a vehicle carrying undocumented passengers passing through a checkpoint while only the driver was logged into the country, as per the authorities’ testimony.
Prosecutors further assert that both Almonte and Rodriguez permitted numerous vehicles with undocumented occupants to bypass standard immigration checks, receiving sizable payments for each instance. The financial incentives for each compromised crossing are said to amount to several thousand dollars.
Currently, it remains unclear if Almonte has legal representation. Meanwhile, Rodriguez’s attorney, Michael Hawkins, stated that the judicial proceedings are still in their early development stages. He emphasized Rodriguez’s right to be presumed innocent and expressed anticipation of resolving the matter, describing him as a dedicated and loyal officer.
The investigation into Almonte and Rodriguez emerged following revelations from three migrant smugglers apprehended last year. These individuals reportedly disclosed their dealings with U.S. border officials during interrogation, fueling further examination by federal authorities.
Furthermore, while Almonte was detained, officials reportedly confiscated close to $70,000 in cash from his partner, suspected of attempting to transfer it across the border to Tijuana. This has led prosecutors to consider additional charges against Almonte, including money laundering and obstruction of justice.
“These incidents represent a grave violation of duty and pose a risk to national security,” declared Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. He stressed that any border patrol agent involved in such misconduct neglects their responsibilities and threatens public safety.
In recent years, the San Diego region has encountered multiple corruption cases among its Border Protection officers. Over the past two years, five officers from the area have faced similar accusations. A high-profile case from last year involved Leonard Darnell George, a former border inspector sentenced to 23 years for accepting bribes to permit illegal entry of individuals and narcotics-filled vehicles at the San Ysidro crossing. Additionally, two other officers from the Otay Mesa and Tecate checkpoints, charged with similar offenses, are scheduled to face trial this summer.
The situation underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining integrity and security at Southern California’s primary entry points, urging renewed scrutiny and vigilance against corruption within border security operations.