EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – A former Border Patrol agent will spend 78 months in prison for taking bribes from drug traffickers.
Between June and October 2024, Jorge J. Jimenez used his position as a border agent to allow certain vehicles loaded with drugs pass through without inspection at the Interstate 19 checkpoint in southern Arizona, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said on Monday.
Prosecutors proved Jimenez, 54, conspired with individuals in Mexico to let the loads belonging to various Mexican drug trafficking organizations get through for approximately $20,000 a pop.
“Law enforcement officers who aid cartels for their own profit betray their oaths and the United States,” U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona Timothy Courchaine said. “This sentence demonstrates that anyone, regardless of authority, will be held accountable if they seek to profit from drug trafficking. I am proud of the District of Arizona and the many United States Border Patrol Agents who protect our southern border every day.”
Court records show the agent met with two “coordinators” in Mexico whose role was to be go-betweens Jimenez and drug traffickers wanting to smuggle drugs to the interior of the United States.
Jimenez provided traffickers real-time information about goings-on at his checkpoint and whether drug-sniffing dogs were on duty. On at least one occasion, the agent communicated with the coordinators that the drugs had successfully gone through, court records show.
“Between June and September 2024, Jimenez waived through at least five vehicles laden with 60 kilos of cocaine,” federal prosecutors alleged in court. Jimenez “was provided a photo of the vehicle that was expected to (be let through).”
The Border Patrol took Jimenez off the checkpoint in October 2024 after undercover agents passing through documented he wasn’t asking questions of drivers of vehicles suspected of carrying drugs, court records show.
A court authorized search of Jimenez’s cell phone traced WhatsApp communications between the agent and the “coordinators” before, during and after smuggling events, records show.
One such communication revealed the coordinators told the agent they were all now “playing basketball with a new team that pays upfront.” Prosecutors interpreted that as the conspirators securing a new drug smuggling contract.
A jury earlier this year found him guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez sentenced him on October 30. In addition to serving six and a half years in a federal prison, Jimenez will pay a $15,000 fine.
“When an officer shrugs off his sworn oath and harms those they promised to protect, he betrays not only his community, but those who also wear a badge,” FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke said after the sentencing.
There was no word on who the coordinators are or whether they are in custody.