Former CBP officer charged with alien smuggling

A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer remained in federal custody following his arrest on a charge of

smuggling an undocumented immigrant.

Rudy Trace Soliz III, 43, of Brownsville, was charged with bringing into the United States and transporting an undocumented alien and conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Tim Johnson announced in a press release on Friday.

According to the press release, Soliz resigned from CBP on Thursday, the same day he was arrested. No other information pertaining to the charge was immediately available.

Soliz had been employed with CBP for 11 years and worked at a Brownsville port entry.

His initial appearance was Friday before U.S. Magistrate Felix Recio, who set his bond at $100,000. In order for Soliz to be released from federal custody, he would need to post 15 percent of that amount. As of late Friday afternoon, Soliz remained in federal custody.

According to information on a federal court docket pertaining to his appearance before Recio, Soliz asked for a court appointed attorney — which the judge granted. However, Recio said if Soliz were able to make bond, the court would consider rescinding the appointment of the attorney.

Soliz is the second CBP officer to be charged with alien smuggling within the two months. Last month, Javier Cavazos, 50, of Los Fresnos, a CBP officer for 15 years, was also arrested on similar charges. He was formally indicted earlier this week on bribery and conspiracy charges to unlawfully transport aliens.

Cavazos was free on bond Friday. He is no longer employed with the federal agency.

Soliz’s case is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Professional Responsibility, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and CBP Internal Affairs.