Ex-Border Patrol Agent Charged with Smuggling: Villaneuva

Former U.S. Border Patrol agent Bernie Villaneuva now faces charges of smuggling illegal immigrants across the border.^[1] Border agents from the Sonoita station apprehended him off Highway 83 between Sonoita and Tucson.^[2] "He has been detained. He is in custody and he will be charged with felony alien smuggling," said U.S. Border Patrol public information officer, Gus Soto.^[3]

According to authorities, Villaneuva was transporting two illegal immigrants; a man and a woman who told agents that Villaneuva would transport them to Phoenix from Nogales for $500 each.^[4] However Villaneuva told border agents the only thing he was getting from the immigrants were drinks and “companionship” from the woman.^[5]

Villaneuva worked for the Border Patrol out of Nogales from 1996 to 2000, and because of his years with the U.S. Border Patrol, Villaneuva may have known to avoid Interstate-19 North to Tucson and instead take State Route 82 to State Route 83 because there is no permanent checkpoint set up on that route.^[6]

Even though he left the U.S. Border Patrol in 2000 on medical discharge, agents say his arrest still tarnishes the agency's image.^[7] "We're just like any other agency, and we are prone to some agents doing some criminal acts. They are very few and far between but anytime one happens, it does give the agency a black eye," said Soto.^[8]

Alien Smuggling is very serious offense; it makes it a criminal act for anyone, knowing that a person is an alien, to bring that person to the United States in any manner whatsoever at a place other than a designated port of entry, regardless of whether the alien has received official authorization to enter the United States.^[9] Violation of the statute can be punishable by a fine, imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both.^[10]

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^[1] Erica Heartquist, Former Border Patrol Agent Caught Allegedly Smuggling Illegals, KVOA News 4 Tucson, February 24, 2007.
^[2] Id.
^[3] Id.
^[4] Id.
^[5] Id.
^[6] Id.
^[7] Id
^[8] Id.
^[9] 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(i); 8 U.S.C. § 1342(a)(1)(A)(v)(I) criminalizes engaging in any conspiracy to do so.
^[10] Id.