Pastor accused of smuggling a woman across the border speaks to ABC-7

ABC-7 has been reporting, all charges have been dropped against a local pastor accused of trying to smuggle a woman across the border.

Ciro Cruz was taken into custody earlier this week.
Friday night he was back with his family.

Thousands of people cross the border each day but for Pastor Cruz it was a border crossing that turned into charges of attempting to smuggle an undocumented immigrant.

Cruz runs a Christian church in South El Paso.
He often does work in Juarez and has many friends across the border.

Cruz says the day started with a simple invitation to Juarez for breakfast.
He says he was then asked by a woman if he could give her a ride across the bridge.

Cruz tells ABC-7 he asked if she had her passport and the woman said yes but once they got to the bridge, agents questioned the woman about her paperwork.

The woman was reportedly lying about her identity but Cruz says he remained calm until they started questioning him.

“What’s going on? Where are we going?” Cruz asked.
By the time everything was said and done agents told him he was going to be charged.
Worshipers from Primera Iglesia Del Nazareno couldn’t believe the news.
Joaquin Vargas attends the church and says Cruz is a good man with everyone.
Vargas says the pastor even helped with food when he needed it.
Cruz ended up in jail and he tells ABC-7 he was a bit worried about being behind bars.
But he tells ABC-7 his jail mates gave him respect and even offered him coffee.
Now Cruz is at home with his family.

Cruz says he still wants to have confidence in people but he’ll be more cautious in the future.
ABC-7 spoke to Cruz’s attorney Kenneth Del Valle. He was asked on what basis the U.S attorney decided to release Cruz.
“After examining the evidence the U.S. attorney felt it was the just and fair thing to do,” said Del Valle.