EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer charged with multiple counts of violating immigration and drug laws has pleaded not guilty to the charges, court documents show.
Manuel Perez Jr. waived arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty in El Paso federal court on Thursday. Records show U.S. Magistrate Judge Miguel A. Torres earlier that day had ordered Perez held in custody without bond pending further proceedings.
A Feb. 5 indictment unsealed earlier this week alleges Perez used his position as a CBP officer at the Paso del Norte Port of Entry in Downtown El Paso to unlawfully allow foreign nationals into the country. He is also accused of conspiring to possess and distribute more than 5 kilos of cocaine in the United States.
In a 13-month span beginning on Dec. 21, 2023, Perez on multiple occasions allegedly let in a gray Nissan Pathfinder either driven by or carrying migrants. Those migrants had paid $9,000 to $16,000 to a third party to be smuggled into the United States.
In at least one instance, an unnamed co-conspirator recorded a video of one of the migrants to prove he had successfully entered the U.S., court documents allege.
Perez also allegedly entered into a conspiracy to obtain cocaine that would be distributed in Texas, Louisiana and North Carolina.
Court records make multiple references to Perez having entered into conspiracies with “persons known and unknown” in Texas and in the Republic of Mexico.
Local news media reported that investigators said he was working for the La Linea cartel in Mexico and received $2,500 per undocumented person he waved into the country.
In addition to charging Perez with five felonies, the U.S. Attorney’s Office wants to seize any property or cash the suspect gained from criminal activities and any property or items he allegedly used to commit the crimes.
Perez faces 10 years to life in prison if convicted.
