California Border Patrol officers Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez accused of taking bribes to wave in people without documents
Share and Follow

Two border inspectors in Southern California are facing charges for accepting bribes to let individuals enter the United States through the busiest port of entry without required documentation, as stated by prosecutors.

The accused officers, Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez, worked at immigration inspection booths in the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

After a probe, authorities discovered incriminating messages between the inspectors and human smugglers in Mexico, alongside unexplained cash deposits in their bank accounts, leading to their charges, according to a complaint revealed on Thursday.

Surveillance video showed at least one instance in which a vehicle with a driver and a passenger stopped at a checkpoint but only the driver was documented as having entered the country, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said the officers waved dozens of vehicles carrying people without documents.

They said both men were paid thousands for each vehicle they waved through.

It wasn’t immediately known if Almonte has an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

The National Border Patrol Council, the union representing Border Patrol officers, didn’t immediately return an email seeking comment.

Rodriguez’s attorney, Michael Hawkins, said the case was still in the “infant stages” and that Rodriguez has the presumption of innocence.

“We look forward to working through the current situation,” Hawkins said in an email in which he described Rodriguez as hardworking and loyal.

The investigation on Almonte and Rodriguez started after three migrant smugglers who were arrested last year told federal investigators they had been working with US border inspectors, federal prosecutors said.

While Almonte was in custody, investigators allegedly seized nearly $70,000 in cash they believe his romantic partner was trying to move to Tijuana.

Prosecutors wrote in a court filing that Almonte is potentially facing additional charges for money laundering and obstruction of justice, The San Diego Union Tribune reported.

“Any Customs and Border Protection agent who aids or turns a blind eye to smugglers bringing undocumented immigrants into the US is betraying their oath and endangering our national security,” Acting US Attorney Andrew Haden told the newspaper in a statement.

There have been five US Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the San Diego area to face similar corruption charges in the last two years.

Last year, former US border inspector Leonard Darnell George was sentenced to 23 years in prison for taking bribes to allow people and drug-laden vehicles to enter the country through the San Ysidro border crossing.

Two other former border officers at the Otay Mesa and Tecate ports of entry were charged last year with similar charges.

They are expected to go on trial this summer.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Several New Jersey polling places receive threats similar to ones that disrupted voting last year

Threats Similar to Last Year’s Disruptions Emerge at New Jersey Polling Stations

On Tuesday, New Jersey’s law enforcement and election officials promptly addressed bomb…
Midterm election 2026 news: Congressman Jesús 'Chuy' García will not seek reelection in Illinois' 4th Congressional District

Breaking: Congressman Jesús ‘Chuy’ García Steps Down – What This Means for Illinois’ 4th District in 2026 Midterms

CHICAGO (WLS) — The composition of Illinois’ congressional delegation is poised for…
AOC’s 'red light district’ prostitution crisis will engulf NYC if Mamdani wins mayor’s race, rivals warn

NYC’s Future at Stake: Rivals Warn of Prostitution Surge if Mamdani Wins Mayoral Race

Curtis Sliwa and Andrew Cuomo are raising alarms that a notorious section…
Andrew Cuomo hangs up phone on radio hosts after Donald Trump question

Andrew Cuomo Abruptly Ends Radio Interview Over Controversial Trump Inquiry – What Happened?

In a dramatic turn of events on Monday morning, Andrew Cuomo, the…
Flights at Reagan National Airport near Washington, DC, grounded due to 'reported security issue': FAA

FAA Grounds Flights at Reagan National Airport Near Washington, DC Amid Security Concerns

A temporary halt in operations was declared at Reagan National Airport, close…
Seattle mayor election results 2025

Breaking News: 2025 Santa Fe Mayoral Election Results Revealed – Discover the Winner Now!

Santa Fe residents headed to the polls on Tuesday to elect a…
Government shutdown why 'I'm in limbo': Rep.-elect Grijalva

Rep.-Elect Grijalva Voices Concerns Over Government Shutdown Impact: ‘I’m in Limbo

A Democratic representative-elect from Arizona finds herself in a state of uncertainty…
Republicans reveal plot to block 'insurrectionist' Mamdani

Republicans Strategize to Halt Mamdani’s Candidacy Over ‘Insurrectionist’ Claims: A Political Showdown Unfolds

The Republican Party has devised a last-minute strategy to prevent Zohran Mamdani…