Coincidentally, as Rodriguez was appearing in court on the first floor of the federal courthouse, the trial of the Villarreal brothers was ongoing just one floor above, with testimony from undocumented immigrants who had paid $12,000 for a “guaranteed crossing” into the U.S.
For almost two years, Customs and Border Protection Officer Hector Rodriguez was the key part in a smuggling ring that brought in hundreds of undocumented immigrants through the San Ysidro Port of Entry, according to federal court documents.
Rodriguez, his longtime friend, Gerardo Rodriguez, and Vanessa Moya, all made their initial federal court appearance in San Diego Monday. They are charged with conspiracy and smuggling.
U.S. Magistrate Judge David Bartick ordered them held without bond pending a hearing Thursday. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor White said the three should be detained because they might flee if let out.
Hector Rodriguez, 45, was arrested at the port while on duty Friday. A complaint detailing the charges said that since September 2010 through last week the trio made at least 37 crossings into the U.S. in vehicles loaded with undocumented immigrants.
One person who was smuggled and became a confidential informant said the fee for a “guaranteed crossing” was $10,000. Another informant smuggled at a later time paid $15,000. Neither was identified in the court records.
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