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November 16, 2014Laredo, TX, United StatesHuman Smuggling/Trafficking

Border Patrol agent pleads guilty to harboring illegal aliens

LAREDO, Texas — A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol agent pleaded guilty Monday to harboring illegal aliens following an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the FBI.

Roberto Cantu-Rodriguez, 35, of Laredo, appeared before a federal judge Nov. 17 to enter his guilty plea for shielding, harboring and concealing five illegal aliens from detection while he was stationed at the Laredo CBP Sector. 

According to court documents, on June 18 law enforcement was conducting surveillance at a residence on Cedar Avenue in Laredo where they observed a marked CBP Border Patrol vehicle. Rodriguez was identified as the driver of that vehicle. Inside the residence, law enforcement discovered five related adults living there, all illegal aliens. The residents indicated that Rodriguez was aware of their illegal presence the United States.

Rodriguez admitted to knowing the occupants of the residence for about one year. He met them through his girlfriend, and he was aware she had used fraudulent documents to obtain employment in the United States. He further admitted knowing that two of the individuals living at the house had been previously deported from the United States.

Sentencing will be set a later date. Cantu-Rodriguez faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible fine up to $250,000. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. Coker, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting the case.

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