A former U.S. Border Patrol agent has been sentenced to 7 years and 3 months in prison by a U.S. federal court on May 24 for accepting bribes to allow illegal immigrants entry and assisting drug traffickers in smuggling methamphetamine.
Hector Hernandez, a 55-year-old former U.S. Border Patrol agent, admitted in a previous plea agreement that he agreed to use his position to open a section of the border fence, allowing unauthorized immigrants to enter the United States from Mexico. He also transported methamphetamine and other drugs from the southern California border to other locations in the United States.
In the plea agreement, Hernandez confessed to escorting Mexican coyotes to visit the U.S.-Mexico border, showing them the best locations for illegal crossings.
He provided the coyotes with information about surveillance equipment and camera locations that only Border Patrol agents would know.
Hernandez admitted to multiple instances of opening the border fence to allow individuals from Mexico to enter the U.S. illegally, receiving a bribe of $5,000 for each such action.
He also confessed that on May 9, 2023, he agreed over a call with a contact to retrieve a bag filled with drugs from a drainage ditch near the border fence for a reward of $20,000. That evening, while on duty, he drove to the ditch, retrieved the bag, and placed it at his residence in Chula Vista, all during his shift. The next day, after his shift, Hernandez returned home, retrieved the bag, and drove to meet the contact. However, the contact turned out to be an undercover federal agent, and Hernandez was arrested on the spot.
Following Hernandez’s arrest, agents searched his residence and found over $130,000 in cash and some cocaine. Hernandez admitted that at least $110,000 of the cash was obtained from participating in drug trafficking and bribery activities.
U.S. Prosecutor Tara McGrath stated, “At all times, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stands ready to bolster public trust in law enforcement.”
She further added, “When such trust is undermined by criminal conduct hidden behind a badge, it not only threatens public safety but also undermines the integrity of our justice system. Hernandez placed personal greed above the safety of others, and this sentence reflects the significant impact of his actions.”
During the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino expressed, “The Border Patrol is a proud and honorable government agency that is sworn to protect and safeguard our borders… However, Hernandez chose to betray this institution, betray the trust of the nation and the public.”