A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison and ordered to complete 80 hours of community service after pleading guilty to bribery and smuggling charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas announced Monday.
Omar Moreno, 46, of Horizon City, was convicted of one count of bribery of a public official and one count of bringing in certain aliens for financial gain.
According to court documents, in December 2022, federal agents began investigating reports that Moreno was accepting $4,000 per individual from a smuggling organization to allow undocumented immigrants to enter the U.S. through the Ysleta Port of Entry. On February 1, 2024, Moreno was caught on video escorting two individuals—including a foot guide—into the country without inspection.
Later that month, on February 23, undercover officers posing as undocumented immigrants were guided into the U.S. by a confidential source. Moreno again permitted their entry through the port. After his shift, he accepted an $8,000 payment and was arrested.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Johnston and Andres Ortega.
Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman made the announcement.
