A U.S. Border Patrol agent is under fire after being implicated in aiding a Mexican drug cartel smuggle people into the United States.
Border patrol agent in cuffs
Manuel Perez Jr., 32, who worked as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent, found himself dismissed from duty following his arrest on February 8.
Federal authorities have charged him with both human and drug trafficking, according to the El Paso Times.
Perez, who was born in California and holds U.S. citizenship, was stationed at the Paso del Norte International Bridge in El Paso, Texas. However, investigations suggest his loyalty may have rested far from his post.
A special agent belonging to the Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility testified that Perez was allegedly a member of a Mexican cartel.
“Multiple witnesses said he belonged to La Linea cartel in Mexico,” the agent reportedly stated during the hearings.
Intercepted communications from smuggling operatives pointed to a shady arrangement. These operatives claimed they could guarantee successful border crossings, boasting, “We have the officer in our pocket.”
Federal prosecutors allege that Perez, despite pleas of innocence from his attorney Ruben Ortiz, admitted to receiving $2,500 each time he allowed illegal migrants to cross the border.
Ortiz dismissed the accusations as unreliable, suggesting cooperating witnesses might be fabricating details in hopes of earning leniency in their own entanglements with the law.
“The cooperating witnesses are telling them (federal investigators) whatever they want to hear for now,” Ortiz argued.
Investigators pinpointed Perez at the center of a scheme that saw repeated crossings of illegal immigrants via a gray Nissan Pathfinder.
While federal authorities were unable to determine precisely how many individuals—including children—Perez smuggled in, their estimates placed his potential earnings from these activities at a staggering $400,000 since December 2023.
His misconduct, though, didn’t stop at human trafficking. Investigators further tied Perez to a cocaine distribution ring, allegedly operating between November 2019 and February 2025.
Border patrol agent spent most of his time in Mexico
Surprisingly, Perez had no recorded history of criminal activity or substance abuse. Yet, federal probes revealed Perez spent roughly 80% of his time across the border in Mexico, a claim backed by evidence.
“By all measures, he lives in Mexico,” noted prosecutors during court proceedings.
Prosecutors also pointed out Perez’s high-profile lifestyle in Mexico, which included armed protection.
Perez allegedly explained this arrangement was due to a romantic relationship with a girlfriend residing there.
Adding to the damning evidence, agents unraveled testimony from an individual who claimed Perez voiced a preference to be detained in Mexico.
The assumption being that Perez would retain the ability to oversee illegal operations even behind bars.
A search of Perez’s Juárez rental property yielded $18,000 in cash, adding weight to the charges against him.
Ultimately, the case’s presiding judge, U.S. Magistrate Miguel Torres, denied Ortiz’s attempt to secure bail for Perez with GPS monitoring, citing the officer’s significant ties to Mexico as a major flight risk.
Judge Torres ruled unequivocally that Perez would remain incarcerated, without bail, until his trial. Should Perez be convicted on these charges, he faces a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison.
Transgender illegal migrant allegedly sexual assaulted teen boy
Meanwhile, another shocking story has emerged from New York City. A transgender migrant accused of violent crimes was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy in a public restroom.
Thirty-year-old Nicol Suarez, originally from Colombia, was apprehended Wednesday and now faces a first-degree rape charge, according to the New York City Department of Correction.
Reports revealed Suarez was additionally wanted for unresolved immigration violations.
Suarez allegedly followed the teenage victim into an East Harlem bodega’s restroom on Tuesday.
There, according to investigative sources cited by the New York Post, Suarez attacked and raped the boy.
The juvenile victim managed to escape, alerting others who rapidly called law enforcement for assistance.
Records show Suarez is currently detained at Rikers Island, with conflicting reports regarding the amount set for bail.
While prosecutors initially sought $500,000 bail or a $1.5 million bond, the judge lowered these amounts to $100,000 or $250,000, respectively.
New details continue to emerge about Suarez’s criminal history. Authorities unveiled that Suarez has pending charges in both New Jersey and Massachusetts.
Allegations from Massachusetts indicate Suarez was arrested last June on suspicions of armed robbery, solicitation for sexual acts, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
However, disturbing questions linger over Suarez’s release following these previous orders.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents disclosed to the Boston Herald that they issued a detainer for Suarez, hoping to ensure continued detention. Yet, for reasons still unclear, Suarez was released before this detainer was enforced.
