Former agent faces prison time after pleading guilty to theft

BROWNSVILLE - A former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent from Harlingen faces up to 10 years in prison for stealing more than $10,000 from the government, federal court records show.

Juan Enrique Polanco, 38, pleaded guilty to a theft charge Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen, authorities said.

There is no plea agreement. Hanen will sentence Polanco on Jan. 13 following a pre-sentence investigation.

Polanco is free on a $25,000 unsecured bond.

In a written statement, U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle said Polanco admitted to submitting fraudulent vouchers between April 1 and June 29, 2007, associated with his assigned move from Eagle Pass to Raymondville.

"The fraudulently filed vouchers resulted in the government overpaying Polanco in excess of $10,000," DeGabrielle said.

Besides a prison sentence, Polanco also faces a possible fine of $250,000 for the felony offense.

Records show Polanco was indicted July 14. Attorney Reynaldo G. Garza III represents him.

Public records also show the government's investigation lasted more than a year and produced hundreds of documents and evidence, including financial, banking, school, maintenance, payroll, personnel, insurance and travel records.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel C. Rodriguez is the prosecutor.