EL PASO, Texas – In a stunning betrayal of trust within law enforcement, former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer Roberto Padilla has been sentenced to eight months in jail plus three years of supervised release for accepting a $500 bribe from a public official.
Padilla, 51, was accused of leaking law enforcement sensitive information in exchange for the payment, which was meant to settle his drug debt. His downfall began on Aug. 6, 2021, when he was arrested and released on bond Aug. 13, 2021. Immediately after his arrest, Padilla was placed on administrative leave by ICE and was ultimately terminated from his position on Aug. 23, 2021. He pleaded guilty to the charge on Nov. 10, 2022.
“This former agent jeopardized his law enforcement career, his life, and the reputation of his agency,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “We will always vigorously prosecute public officials who abuse their authority, especially law enforcement officers who corruptly sell access to sensitive law enforcement databases.”
Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey of the FBI El Paso Field Office echoed the sentiment. “Roberto Padilla engaged in conduct that betrayed the oath he took to faithfully serve the citizens of the United States,” Downey stated. He also highlighted the dedicated work of the majority of law enforcement professionals, encouraging the public to report corrupt activity at (915) 832-5000.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the FBI, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Osterberg handled the prosecution of the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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