Former U.S. Border Patrol agent sentenced for bribery, drug distribution
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — It’s off to prison for a former U.S. Border Patrol agent, who admitted to taking bribes to smuggle methamphetamine and people across the U.S.-Mexico border.
According to U.S. attorney Tara McGrath’s office, Hector Hernandez, 55, was handed an 87-month prison stay in federal court Friday after he pleaded guilty to the crimes back in January.
Court records note Hernandez admitted that he agreed to use his official position to open southern border fences and allow unauthorized immigrants to enter the country. On top of that, Hernandez also agreed to move methamphetamine and other controlled substances from Southern California to other areas in the U.S.
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In his plea agreement, the former Border Patrol agent also acknowledged he took Mexico-based smugglers on a tour of the southern border, showing them the “best locations” to sneak unauthorized immigrants into the U.S. He even admitted to providing smugglers information about the location of monitoring devices and cameras.
Lastly, Hernandez admitted that he opened restricted border fences on several occasions to allow people to illegally enter the country in exchange for cash payments of $5,000 per opening, court records show.
“Agent Hernandez disgraced his badge when he chose to smuggle both drugs and people across the border,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Chrysanthis. “His sentence reflects the harm he caused his coworkers and his country. As law enforcement we are held to a higher standard, and we must be held accountable for our actions.”
Hernandez was caught after he met with an undercover federal agent and agreed to pick up a bag full of narcotics that would be hidden near the border fence, the attorney’s office explained.
U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino said in court Friday, “Border Patrol is an honorable and admirable agency of the Government sworn to protect and safeguard our borders… [Hernandez] chose to betray the agency, the nation and betray public trust.”
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