Former Border Patrol agent sentenced for bribery, firearms, and drug charges

TUCSON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A 36-year-old man who was a Border Patrol agent was sentenced to more than 12 years on bribery, narcotics, and firearms charges.

Ramon Antonio Monreal-Rodriguez from Vail, Arizona was also ordered to pay $151,000 in restitution to the U.S. Border Patrol because he was engaged in criminal activity says the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Arizona.

Monreal-Rodriguez pleaded guilty to bribery, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, conspiracy to make false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms, and conspiracy to provide firearms to a convicted felon.

The former agent was involved in two firearm-related conspiracies between July and August 2018 where he bought firearms from licensed dealers for other people and gave firearms to convicted felons.

Monreal-Rodriguez also smuggled drugs into the U.S. from Mexico from January 8, 2018 until he was arrested on September 25, 2018.

He would take the drugs from a drug trafficking organization and take them past the checkpoint that was several miles from the border, usually in his Border Patrol vehicle.

Then he would take the drugs to the Tucson area and also admitted to distributing 116 kilograms and 107 kilograms of marijuana

He also admitted to receiving money proceeds from the drug sales that totaled at least $1.2 million that he took to the border and handed off the cash to individuals so it can be taken into Mexico.

Monreal-Rodriguez received cash payments as well.

The 36-year-old man violated his duties as a USBP agent by using his border patrol vehicle and radio to transport the drugs and cash proceeds and had a service weapon on him.