Border Officer Pleads Guilty

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) _ A U.S. Customs officer in south Texas has pleaded guilty to smuggling illegal immigrants and bribery.

Prosecutors say Rudy Trace Soliz III of Brownsville last September allowed a woman to pass through his inspection lane at the B&M International Bridge with illegal immigrants, in exchange for sexual favors.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says the 44-year-old Soliz pleaded guilty late Wednesday just before the start of his trial.

Sentencing is scheduled for November.

Conviction for transporting illegal immigrants carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison. The bribery conviction is punishable by a maximum 15-year prison term.

 

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


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