Federico Garcia, Jr., Former CBP Inspector, Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud in Texas
In a shocking turn of events, Federico Garcia, Jr., a 44-year-old former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Inspector, pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge in El Paso, Texas. The scheme, which spanned from November 2015 to May 2018, saw Garcia fraudulently present himself as an immigration attorney and charge various fees to unwitting victims for assistance with applying for immigration benefits.
Garcia, who is not a licensed attorney, carried out his scheme under the business names ‘Justice International’ and ‘High End Immigrant Resource Center.’ The victims, both legal and illegal aliens, were misled into believing they were receiving legitimate immigration advice from Garcia.
The scheme also involved Garcia fraudulently soliciting victims to invest their money in business ventures that would provide large returns to those individuals. The exact amount of money involved in the scheme is not specified in the report.
Garcia, who remains in federal custody, is scheduled to be sentenced at 10:00am on January 17, 2019, before Judge Kathleen Cardone in El Paso. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
The investigation into Garcia’s scheme was led by HSI El Paso’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Aguayo, Debra Kanof, and Stephen Garcia are prosecuting the case on behalf of the Government.
Garcia’s actions have left many in the community stunned. ‘This case highlights the importance of verifying the credentials of individuals who claim to offer immigration advice,’ said a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
In a related note, the public is reminded to be cautious when dealing with individuals who claim to offer immigration advice. Always research the individual’s credentials and verify their legitimacy before seeking their services.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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