Two Border Patrol agents face federal charges for allegedly accepting thousands in bribes to help smuggle illegal immigrants through the San Ysidro Port of Entry, marking the fifth corruption case in the San Diego area in just two years.
At a Glance
- Border Patrol agents Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez allegedly accepted bribes to allow vehicles carrying undocumented migrants through San Ysidro Port of Entry
- Evidence includes large cash deposits, surveillance footage, and text messages with smugglers
- Almonte allegedly permitted at least 45 illegal crossings; investigators seized nearly $70,000 in cash
- The scheme operated from August 2024 to January 2025
- They are the fourth and fifth San Diego-area CBP officers to face corruption charges in two years
The Bribery Scheme
Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez, two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, are facing multiple federal charges for allegedly accepting bribes to allow vehicles carrying undocumented migrants to pass unchecked through the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
According to prosecutors, the officers informed co-conspirators in Mexico about their assigned inspection lanes, enabling smugglers to strategically drive through with undocumented migrants. The illegal operation reportedly ran from August 2024 through January 2025, with both officers receiving thousands of dollars for each vehicle they allowed to pass.
Federal investigators began uncovering the alleged corruption in September when smugglers indicated they had bribed multiple CBP officers. Court documents reveal that Almonte permitted at least 45 illegal crossings during the scheme. Evidence against the officers includes surveillance footage and internal CBP records that linked both men to specific vehicles involved in smuggling activities. Text messages recovered from smugglers’ phones included screenshots of communications with “Farli USA” providing shift times and coordination details.
Money Trail and Evidence
Both officers made suspiciously large cash deposits into their personal bank accounts during the alleged criminal activity. Almonte deposited nearly $22,000 while Rodriguez deposited almost $24,000 in cash. Investigators seized approximately $70,000 in cash from Almonte’s romantic partner, believed to be directly connected to the bribery scheme. Additional evidence includes phone records from individuals arrested while attempting to cross the border and surveillance video showing vehicles passing through checkpoints with undocumented passengers who were not properly documented.
Prosecutors have indicated that Almonte may face additional charges for money laundering and obstruction of justice. His romantic partner reportedly attempted to move large amounts of cash after visiting him in jail, leading to further seizures by law enforcement. Prosecutors argued in court that both men posed significant flight risks due to their potential access to substantial amounts of undisclosed cash from the scheme.
A Pattern of Border Corruption
This case represents the fourth and fifth San Diego-area CBP officers to face corruption charges in just the past two years. Other officers, including Leonard Darnell George, Jesse Clark Garcia, and Diego Bonillo, have faced or are currently facing similar charges related to corruption and smuggling activities. George was sentenced to 23 years for similar offenses, highlighting the severe consequences for such breaches of public trust. The case against Almonte and Rodriguez was filed during a week when federal prosecutors brought 97 border-related cases in total.
“The alleged actions of these individuals are deeply troubling and do not reflect the values of CBP or the vast majority of our dedicated personnel who serve with integrity every day. We are fully cooperating with the investigation and will take all necessary steps to ensure accountability. The public’s trust is paramount, and we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct.” – Sidney Aki
During court proceedings, Rodriguez’s attorney highlighted his client’s background as a lawful immigrant and National Guard member, emphasizing his presumption of innocence. “Certainly, he has the presumption of innocence, and we look forward to working through the current situation,” said defense attorney Michael Hawkins. Despite prosecutors’ objections, a federal magistrate set bail amounts for both officers, though prosecutors have appealed this decision.
