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Former Border Patrol Agent Fernando Castillo sentenced to 18 months in prison for soliciting $5,000 bribe and falsifying immigration documents.
Bribery by a Border Patrol Agent Leads to Prison Sentence
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas announced the sentencing of an El Paso man to 18 months in prison for bribery of a public official. Fernando Castillo, 42, a former Border Patrol Agent with the United States Border Patrol (Customs and Border Protection), was found to have solicited a $5,000 bribe from a citizen of El Salvador and Mexico in June 2023. Promising immigration paperwork in exchange for the payment, Castillo falsified entries in the individual’s immigration file and produced a fraudulent document. He was apprehended shortly after the false documentation was transferred.
Having pleaded guilty to one count of bribery of a public official on February 1, 2024, he was sentenced on May 9, 2024. During sentencing, Castillo received a sentence of 18 months in prison, along with one year of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza expressed concerns about the impact of Castillo’s actions on public trust in government officials, emphasizing the need to hold such individuals accountable. Special Agent in Charge John Morales of the FBI El Paso Field Office condemned Castillo’s conduct while urging continued support for efforts to combat public corruption.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Rosa P. Mendez-Mier of CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility reaffirmed their commitment to addressing misconduct and appreciated the collaborative efforts of the investigative agencies involved in the case.
The investigation, carried out by the FBI, Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General, and United States Customs and Border Protection-Office of Professional Responsibility, culminated with the prosecution of the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Johnston..
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