Yuma Border Patrol makes statement on arrest of former agent

The U.S. Border Patrol releases a statement on the arrest of a former Yuma Sector agent accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague.

Gustavo Zamora faces three counts of felony sexual assault and one felony count of kidnapping .

A female agent claims Zamora attacked her during a business trip to Tucson in May. He was an assistant chief at the time. She says he got her drunk and raped her. He claims the sex was consensual.

The Border Patrol allowed Zamora to take retirement shortly after a Pima County grand jury indicted him in July. Now that decision is under investigation.

On Tuesday, Yuma Sector Border Patrol released a statement addressing the decision. It reads:

” U.S. Customs and Border Protection holds its employees accountable and expects the entire workforce to adhere to the agencies standards of conduct.

The matter was first brought to the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility’s ( OPR ) attention in June 2019, when he reported being contacted by the Tucson Police Department regarding an alleged sexual assault. As a result, OPR immediately initiated an investigation and notified the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. CBP OPR is cooperating with the Tucson Police Department, which is conducting a criminal investigation.

The former employee retired from the U.S. Border Patrol on July 31. Current regulations allow an employee who has reached retirement eligibility to do so absent prohibitions outlined in 5 USC § 8312 – Conviction of Certain Offenses. Nevertheless, at the conclusion of the criminal investigation, OPR will review all the facts uncovered to ensure all allegations of misconduct by any CBP employee involved are thoroughly investigated for appropriate action by the agency. ”

Zamora’s case is in pre-trial hearings this week. We will continue to monitor the situation and bring you developments as they arise.

KYMA 2019