Ex-BP Agent In Laredo, Wife Plead Guilty In Smuggling Conspiracy

LAREDO, Texas (AP) – Calls from a Border Patrol agent’s wife to him while he was on duty helped illegal immigrants on buses slip through a checkpoint.

Prosecutors say 32-year-old David Cruz and 35-year-old Susana Lopez-Portillo De Cruz pleaded guilty Thursday in Laredo to conspiring to transport and harbor illegal immigrants.

The case involved three 2007 incidents – in January, July and September – when a total of 25 illegal immigrants were bused from Laredo.

Prosecutors say Cruz would get calls from his wife letting him know the number of a particular bus and when it likely would reach his checkpoint so he could let it pass. Cruz resigned in September.

The husband and wife face a maximum 10 years in prison and $250,000 fines. A third person was arrested Jan. 9 and remains in custody without bond on similar charges.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)