Former C.B.P. agent pleads guilty to obstruction of justice

A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (C.B.P.) officer has pleaded guilty in Las Cruces federal court to obstruction of justice, the Justice Department announced this week.

Christopher Holbrook’s charge comes after a falsification of a report regarding his use of force against an individual, referred to only as R.A.M., on March 23, 2015. At the time, Holbrook, 31, was working as a C.B.P. officer in Las Cruces.

In his plea agreement, Holbrook admitted to falsifying an official document by claiming in his use-of-force report that when he detained R.A.M., they resisted and attempted to pull away. Holbrook further claimed that he used the minimal amount of force necessary to control R.A.M. but that he lost control and they both fell to the floor.

When he pleaded guilty, Holbrook admitted that he actually intentionally swept R.A.M.’s legs out from under him and caused his head to hit the floor. Holbrook also admitted that he falsified his use-of-force report to avoid getting in trouble with C.B.P.

Holbrook faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date had yet to be set.