Bail Bondsmen & Ex-Federal Officer Hit with Bribery Charges

HOUSTON – A shocking scandal rocks the immigration enforcement community as four individuals face federal charges for alleged bribes to lift ICE detainers. Leopoldo Perrault Benitez, 53, his son Anthony Benitez, 32, Isaac Sierra, 51, and Jose Angel Muniz, 51, have been taken into custody following an investigation led by the DOJ USAO.

Leopoldo Benitez is accused of owning A Way Out Bail Bonds in Houston. His son worked there while Sierra served at International Bonding Company. Muniz, a former deportation officer with ICE-ERO, is alleged to have accepted bribes from the bail bondsmen.

The indictment, unsealed during their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray, charges that between April 2023 and March 2024, the trio paid Muniz to release illegal aliens held in ICE custody. ‘The Southern District of Texas takes allegations of corruption by federal officers extremely seriously,’ said U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Conviction could lead to up to 15 years in prison and fines equal to the value of the bribes, totaling $250,000 or more. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard D. Hanes is prosecuting the case.

The investigation was conducted by ICE – Office of Professional Responsibility, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General. The charges against them are serious, with no room for corruption in immigration enforcement.