Border Patrol Supervisor Used Power to Detain Innocent Man

A former U.S. Border Patrol Supervisory Agent has pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of a legal border crosser. Martin Rene Duran, 49, of Chula Vista, admitted to using his position to create bogus alerts in a border-security law enforcement database to have R.C., a man who had accused Duran’s brother-in-law of child abuse, detained by Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

According to the complaint, R.C. is a lawful permanent resident of the United States with no known criminal history. He was detained on multiple occasions at the San Ysidro border crossing in 2013 based on the false alerts entered by Duran. Duran claimed R.C. was frequently armed with a .45 caliber handgun and was linked to a narcotics organization, but no weapons or contraband were found and R.C. was released every time.

An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Office of Professional Responsibility, Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Office of Professional Responsibility revealed that Duran had entered several false alerts for R.C. into the TECS system over the next several months. The alerts falsely claimed R.C. had made recent threats to law enforcement.

R.C. believed Duran was trying to pressure him into dropping the charges against Estrada, Duran’s brother-in-law. And today, Duran admitted he had R.C. detained at the Port of Entry so he could question him about the matter involving Estrada.

Duran is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Marilyn L. Huff on September 17, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. for sentencing on both matters. He faces up to 12 months’ custody, a fine of $100,000, and one year of supervised release for violating R.C.’s civil rights.

This case highlights the abuse of power by a law enforcement officer and the devastating impact it can have on innocent individuals. U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman said, “This agent used his significant power against someone he was sworn to protect. He targeted a law-abiding citizen because of a personal vendetta, and for that he will pay a price.”

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