Federal immigration agent arrested for participating in drug conspiracy

NEW YORK – An officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and two co-conspirators were arrested July 18 and 19 for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Inspector General and ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility.

Kordell Nesbitt, 33 and Sherisse Thompson, 33, both of the Bronx, and Christopher Sinceno, 40, of Las Vegas, are each charged with one count of engaging in a conspiracy to violate the narcotics laws of the United States, namely, to distribute controlled substances containing marijuana and cocaine. They each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

According to two criminal complaints unsealed July 19 in Manhattan federal court, Nesbitt was responsible for, among other duties, escorting detained aliens both within the United States and internationally to foreign countries. In this capacity, he was authorized to carry a firearm at all times and avoid screening measures at airports to which civilian travelers are typically subjected.

From at least May 2013, Nesbitt agreed to receive and distribute multiple packages containing cocaine, marijuana and other narcotics in the New York City area. He purchased the packages of narcotics from Sinceno and arranged for their delivery to Thompson’s residence in the Bronx. Once the packages reached Thompson’s residence, Nesbitt sold the narcotics to his drug customers with her assistance.

Following his arrest, Nesbitt, after being advised of, and waiving, his Miranda rights, stated that he had purchased pounds of marijuana from Sinceno over the past two months. He also advised that Thompson had assisted him in distributing marijuana from her apartment, and he had attempted to purchase $10,000 worth of cocaine from Sinceno, which he intended to sell.

Following her arrest, Thompson, after being advised of, and waiving, her Miranda rights, admitted that she had assisted Nesbitt in distributing marijuana from her apartment. During a court-authorized search of Thompson’s residence July 19, agents recovered a quantity of marijuana, a drug scale and a set of Ziplock bags.

"Kordell Nesbitt had a duty to uphold the nation’s immigration laws. But as alleged, he also had a side job – coordinating the transport and sale of cocaine and marijuana with co-conspirators Christopher Sinceno and Sherisse Thompson. We will not tolerate abuses of trust by individuals who, tasked with preserving law and order, choose instead to engage in illicit activity," said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.

"The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and aggressively investigate all allegations of corruption to protect our borders and the integrity of DHS personnel, programs, and operations. Acts of corruption within DHS represent a threat to our nation and undermine the honest and hardworking employees who strive to maintain the integrity of the Department. Corruption will not be tolerated and those who choose to break the law will be pursued aggressively," said Gregory K. Null, special agent in charge of DHS’ Office of Inspector General.

"The ICE Office of Professional Responsibility takes all allegations of employee misconduct seriously and takes great pride in protecting the integrity of the ICE workforce and the agency mission through impartial and thorough investigations. The outcome of this investigation is the direct result of the successful, ongoing relationship between the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility and its law enforcement partners," said Terence S. Opiola, special agent in charge of ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility.