News Summary
Three U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have been indicted for allegedly aiding the illegal entry of undocumented migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border. The charges include conspiracy for financial gain and false reporting in the Transportation Enforcement Communications System. This case raises concerns about corruption within the CBP, particularly at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, and follows previous indictments in a wider federal initiative aimed at curtailing illegal immigration.
San Diego
Three officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are facing federal charges for allegedly facilitating the illegal entry of undocumented migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border. The officers, identified as Farlis Almonte (38, San Diego), Ricardo Rodriguez (34, Tijuana), and Kairy Stephania Quiñonez (31, Imperial Beach), have been indicted with serious allegations tied to their roles within the agency.
The indictment highlights a conspiracy to bring in aliens for financial gain, as well as aiding and abetting the illegal entry of undocumented individuals. These actions reportedly took place between August 2023 and January 2024 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, a crucial crossing point between the two countries.
Details of the indictment reveal that the officers allegedly provided their scheduled work hours and lane assignments to co-conspirators, allowing for the covert transport of undocumented migrants. They communicated using code words to facilitate these operations, and were also accused of making false entries in the Transportation Enforcement Communications System database. This manipulation allowed them to misreport the number of occupants in vehicles, obscuring the presence of undocumented individuals.
Prosecutors claim that the officers were involved in numerous illegal crossings, spanning “dozens of cars.” Furthermore, Almonte and Rodriguez face additional charges related to bribery, specifically for the receipt of bribes by public officials, while Quiñonez is not implicated in these bribery charges.
Evidence against the indicted officers includes significant financial transactions, such as unusually large cash deposits made by Almonte and Rodriguez into their bank accounts during the period of the alleged offenses. These transactions raised concerns for investigators, especially in light of the nearly $70,000 in cash linked to Almonte’s romantic partner, who allegedly attempted to transport the funds to Mexico. Surveillance footage and phone communications with smugglers serve as further substantiation of the claims against them.
This indictment follows a previous action taken against two other local CBP officers earlier in May 2025 on similar charges. The situation raises ongoing issues of corruption within the CBP, particularly at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, where authorities have voiced concerns over the integrity of operations and the conduct of personnel.
The charges stem from a broader federal initiative aimed at combatting illegal immigration and dismantling transnational crime networks. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, as part of this initiative, has emphasized its dedication to ethical conduct and accountability among its officers, particularly in high-stakes environments like border crossings.
The implications of this indictment are significant, with potential ramifications for border security and the operations of CBP as a whole. The agency faces scrutiny as it deals with both the internal challenges of corruption and the external pressures of managing the complex issues surrounding immigration and border enforcement.
As this case unfolds, it further spotlights the critical role that integrity and oversight play in law enforcement agencies tasked with upholding national security and immigration laws. The actions of Almonte, Rodriguez, and Quiñonez may not only affect their personal lives and careers but could also impact the public’s trust in the CBP and its mission moving forward.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Wikipedia: United States Customs and Border Protection
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Google Search: San Diego border corruption
- Latin Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- Imperial Valley Press
- Google News: CBP officers bribery
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
