Federal officer faces 13 charges

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September 6, 2008 - 12:12 AM

By EMMA PEREZ-TREVIÑO/The Brownsville Herald

BROWNSVILLE - A federal officer was arrested Friday and charged with trafficking in illegal immigrants in exchange for a sexual device, pills to treat erectile dysfunction, and $2,150 in cash, authorities said.

A federal grand jury indicted U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer Guadalupe Garza, 64, on Tuesday.

The indictment charges Garza with 13 counts including conspiracy to transport illegal immigrants, transporting them within the United States, bringing them into the country, and bribery.

Officials allege Garza was part of a conspiracy that moved the immigrants by vehicle or guided them on foot.

Court records indicate that another or other defendants might have been charged, but those documents remained sealed Friday.

The indictment alleges the activity took place from May 2007 through February 2008.

Garza appeared Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge B. Janice Ellington. She set a $25,000 cash bail.

Arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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