A Customs and Border Protection agent from Laredo has been arrested for trying to illegally allow undocumented people into the U.S.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson says 27-year-old Juan Gabriel Bonilla, arrested Thursday, is expected to make an initial appearance Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker. Attempts to determine if Bonilla had an attorney were unsuccessful.
Bonilla's co-defendant will also be in court Friday. Prosecutors say the co-defendant, a legal resident of Mexico, was transporting several relatives, three of whom were undocumented, when Bonilla released them to illegally enter the U.S.
Bonilla and his co-defendant are charged with conspiracy and three counts of transportation or attempted transportation of people trying to illegally enter the U.S. If convicted, each faces up to five years in prison on each count.
