Customs agent accused of selling fake travel permits
Posted on May 6, 2008
in Legal Actions by PMC
LAREDO — A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent arrested on charges alleging that he sold a fake travel permit to a Mexican national made his first court appearance on Monday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Ramiro Villareal Jr., 27, was arrested Thursday on a charge of accepting bribes for making and delivering fake travel documents, prosecutors said.
During a hearing Monday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Saldana ordered that Villareal be held on $100,000 bail. It is unclear if the agent has a lawyer.
Prosecutors said Villareal’s alleged crime was discovered on April 30 when a Mexican national leaving the country was found to be traveling with a fake I-94 arrival-departure document. The fake document, prosecutors said, had Villareal’s stamp on it.
A real I-94 shows a legal stay in the U.S. by a foreign national who has shown a passport or border crossing card.
Prosecutors said Villareal had two other fake I-94s with him when he was arrested.
His next court appearance is scheduled for May 15.
Tags: Border permits, CBP, Corruption, I-94, Ramiro Villarreal Jr, US Attorney
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