Customs agent pleads guilty to trafficking charges

A federal officer pleaded guilty Friday to two federal charges of trafficking undocumented immigrants and is slated for sentencing after the New Year.

Guadalupe Garza, 64, an officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, initially faced 13 counts of conspiring to transport aliens, transporting them and bringing them into the country in exchange for an unspecified quantity of Cialis pills, which are used for erectile dysfunction, a sexual device and $2,150 in cash.

Garza pleaded to a charge of bringing undocumented immigrant Liliana Varela-Rodriguez into the U.S. "for the purpose of commercial advantage and private gain" on July 12, 2007. The charge carries a sentence from three to 10 years in prison.

He also pleaded guilty to bribery, acknowledging that he demanded and received $1,500 for allowing the entry of undocumented immigrants. The offense carries a term up to 15 years in jail.

Each of the charges carries a possible fine of $250,000.

U. S. District Judge Hilda G. Tagle set Garza's sentencing date for March 3, 2009.

Garza entered a "cold plea," meaning a plea agreement was not struck with the U.S. Attorney's Office, court records show.

Tagle allowed Garza to continue free on bond pending sentencing if the result of an on-site urine analysis was negative.

He also was ordered not to consume alcohol or travel without authorization.

Tagle also ordered a pre-sentence investigation report. Attorney Ernesto Gamez Jr. represents Garza.