Former US Border Patrol Agent Hector Hernández Sentenced to Prison

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A former U.S. Border Patrol agent is in prison after admitting to taking bribes to smuggle meth and people across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Hector Hernandez, 55, was sentenced Friday to 87 months in prison in federal court after pleading guilty to crimes committed in January, according to U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath's office.

According to court records, Hernandez admitted that he agreed to use his official position to open southern border barriers and allow illegal immigrants into the country. In addition to this, Hernandez also agreed to move methamphetamine and other controlled substances from Southern California to other areas of the United States.

In his plea agreement, the former Border Patrol agent also admitted to taking Mexico-based smugglers to tour the southern border, showing them the “best places” to smuggle illegal immigrants into the United States. He even admitted to providing information to the smugglers about the location. surveillance devices and cameras.

Finally, Hernandez admitted to repeatedly opening restricted border barriers to allow people to enter the country illegally in exchange for cash payments of $5,000 per opening, according to court records.

“Agent Hernandez dishonored his badge when he chose to smuggle drugs and people across the border,” said DEA Acting Special Agent Anthony Chrysanthis. “His sentence reflects the harm he caused to his colleagues and his country. As law enforcement, we are held to a higher standard and we must be held accountable for our actions. »

Hernandez was arrested after meeting with an undercover federal agent and agreeing to retrieve a bag full of narcotics believed to be hidden near the border fence, the prosecutor's office said.

U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino said in court Friday: “The Border Patrol is an honorable and admirable agency of government sworn to protect and safeguard our borders… [Hernandez] chose to betray the agency, the nation and betray the public trust.