Simon Medina III, a 41-year-old Laredo resident, has been sent to prison for his role in a conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Medina, a former Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer, pleaded guilty to the charges on March 8.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Medina to serve 24 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. The court emphasized that Medina’s position of power made his actions more egregious, as he was aware of the severity and danger he posed to the community.
Medina admitted to allowing several individuals to enter the United States with contraband in their vehicles on approximately 20 occasions between May 25 and August 6, 2020. Despite not being assigned to the entry lanes at the Laredo Port of Entry, Medina would open a lane and let his co-conspirators pass through without inspecting their cargo. He also accepted gratuities from his partners.
Medina was permitted to remain on bond and will voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The investigation was conducted by the CBP – Office of Professional Responsibility, with Assistant U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno prosecuting the case.
Medina’s crimes are a stark reminder of the corruption that can occur within law enforcement agencies. His actions put the community at risk and undermined the trust that is essential to the integrity of our borders.
Related Federal Cases
- Tren de Aragua Leaders Unsealed, Terror Cartel Crimes, Texas, 2023 · New York
- Eduardo Ravelo, Racketeering Conspiracy, Texas 2013 · Oklahoma
- Pam Bondi, Money Laundering, Texas, 2023 · Texas
- Lewis Brooks McKenzie, Masterminding Sophisticated Drug Ring, North Dakota Texas 2023 · Texas
- Juan Rodriguez, Drug Smuggling, New York 2023 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
