Border Agent In Gun Smuggling Case Remains In Federal Custody

Wearing a green jumpsuit and in shackles, a Border Patrol agent accused of smuggling weapons for Mexican drug cartels had his initial court appearance Friday.

The 28-year-old Ricardo Montalvo waived his arraignments and will remain in federal custody.

Montalvo and his girlfriend, 29-year-old Carla Gonzales-Ortiz, were charged with conspiracy and smuggling. Their detention hearings were both rescheduled for next Wednesday.

Montalvo and Gonzalez-Ortiz, both of El Paso, were arrested Monday after a federal grand jury returned a 20-count indictment that accuses Montalvo of buying nine firearms, 20-thousand rounds of ammunition and 97 high-capacity magazines and four flare launchers to be smuggled into Mexico.

He allegedly lied by saying the weapons and ammunition were for his own use. Gonzales-Ortiz is accused of falsifying statements during those purchases.

Montalvo had been on administrative desk duty since the investigation started in January 2011.

If convicted — they each face five to 10 years in prison. Sib Abraham is Montalvo’s lawyer.