Ex-Border Patrol agent sentenced for bribery
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement El Paso Processing Center is seen from a distance on April 16, 2020 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by PAUL RATJE/AFP via Getty Images)
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EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — A former Border Patrol agent who solicited a $5,000 bribe to help a woman with her “papers” has been sentenced to prison.
Fernando Castillo, 42, of El Paso, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of bribery of a public official in February. On Thursday, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison and a year of supervision upon release, plus a $100 fine.
According to court documents obtained by Border Report, Castillo was working at the Central Processing Center when he approached the Salvadoran woman, who was awaiting deportation. Castillo said he’d get the woman “papeles,” or “papers,” for $5,000 as he was driving her to the border.
The woman notified border authorities when she realized that money was missing from her purse, documents state. Federal agents looked up her file and noticed that Castillo had recently changed her immigration status, essentially allowing her to return to the U.S.
Agents were with the woman when Castillo called her several times to discuss their arrangement, documents state.
Agents apprehended Castillo when he met with the woman and had the false documents.
“A federal officer who sells his office for personal gain shatters public trust in government officials,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “Unfortunately, Castillo’s crime unfairly tarnishes the honest officers who serve the public with dedication day in and day out. We will eagerly hold officers like Castillo accountable.”
Castillo denied stealing money from the woman’s purse.