Press Release
CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICER CHARGED WITH WITNESS TAMPERING
August 22, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney, Southern District of Florida, and Steven J. Mocsary, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), announced that defendant Carlos Manuel Garcia was charged in a criminal Complaint with witness tampering in connection with the performance of his duties as a former Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO).
According to the Complaint Affidavit, the alleged witness tampering began during an argument between the defendant and his then-girlfriend on August 3, 2004, during which the defendant tore up his girlfriend's non-immigrant tourist visa in her passport. The Complaint also alleges that Garcia threatened to deport his girlfriend and her family to Colombia.
The Complaint also alleges that on November 23, 2004, while on duty as a Customs and Border Protection Officer at Miami International Airport, the defendant allegedly referred his girlfriend's mother, who was visiting the United States on a legitimate visa, to secondary inspection without justification.
As a result of these actions, ICE-OPR began an internal investigation. Tape-recorded evidence obtained during this investigation reflects that the defendant told his former girlfriend not to cooperate with federal agents during the OPR investigation regarding his conduct.
Mr. Acosta commended the investigative efforts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Office of Professional Responsibility. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brent Tantillo.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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