Jury convicts former Border Patrol agent of fraud in Arizona

Jorge J. Jimenez, a former Border Patrol agent from Rio Rico, Arizona, was convicted of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud for aiding smugglers in passing vehicles loaded with drugs and migrants through the I-19 checkpoint without inspection between July and October 2024. Evidence presented at his 10-day trial showed Jimenez collaborated with at least two individuals in Mexico, using coded messages via WhatsApp and receiving substantial payments for his role in allowing at least five vehicles—believed to be carrying a total of 60 kilograms of cocaine and migrants—to bypass security checks. He was expected to receive half of the $40,000 paid for the operation and reportedly earned around $25,000 before being reassigned. The investigation was led by the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and the FBI. Jimenez, who joined Border Patrol in 2010, faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, with sentencing set for July 9, 2025. U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine emphasized the importance of integrity among law enforcement at the border, criticizing Jimenez for endangering his community for personal gain.