Border Patrol agent had underground room to hide illegal immigrants and drugs, prosecutors allege
January 12, 2011 | 3:57 pm

Authorities searching the home of a U.S. Border Patrol agent earlier this week found an underground room that they believe was built to hide drugs and illegal immigrants, a federal prosecutor said Wednesday at a court hearing in San Diego.

The agent, Marcos Gerardo Manzano Jr., 26, was arrested earlier this week and charged with harboring illegal immigrants at his home, among them his father, a twice-deported illegal immigrant with a criminal record.

The discovery of the secret room, along with the large law enforcement presence during the search -– an FBI SWAT team led the raiding party -- suggest that the investigation is more expansive and that the four-year veteran of the agency could face additional charges.

Authorities found the hidden room beneath a concrete slab in the backyard patio, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Tara McGrath. A search of the room turned up an illegal immigrant hiding under a table, McGrath said. Agents also found 61 grams of methamphetamine, along with drug paraphernalia and narcotics packaging materials in the home, she added.

Manzano Jr., who was arrested Monday night at the Imperial Beach Border Patrol station, travels regularly to Mexico to visit his girlfriend and family members, said McGrath, who urged the judge to bar any foreign travel if he posts bond, which was set at $75,000.

The agent’s father, Marcos Gerardo Manzano Sr., 46, had allegedly lived at his son’s home in the border community of San Ysidro since September 2009. He had been deported in 2008 after being convicted of possession of marijuana for sale. Manzano Jr. is also charged with lying to a federal investigator for allegedly stating that he didn’t know of his father’s whereabouts.

Manzano Sr. was not found at the home and remains at large.

POS.

I have been in process for almost two years. Passed everything aside from the very last fitness test they now require before academy (no problem with that). I am just waiting on my job location call. This is very disturbing to us as tentative agents as well as current active agents. Chances are, this clown was turned in by his own peers. It is a shame that this happens, but people are greedy. I am appalled to hear these stories, but it happens in all facets of law enforcement and in every day "regular" jobs.

Worthless piece of garbage will pay for his actions severely. 26 years old and threw away a great career.

The background investigation is extremely thorough. More so than any law enforcement job out there. It is almost discouraging to go through. And even when passed, doesn't guarantee you a career.

So for us, waiting patiently and training hard, to protect and serve our Country here in our own backyard, it's tough to see this happening when all we want is our shot. Effin' moron! Throw the book at him!

Deport all of them including the Ex Border Patrol agent.

Try them, make them serve their sentences...THEN deport them.

POS for sure.

There is a chance he was an infiltrator IMO.

Yessir! He is a four-year agent, and since then, the backgrounds and testing has gotten extremely tougher to get through. This is why, and he isn't the first and unfortunately won't be the last. The smugglers and cartels use every angle they can to do their dirty deeds.

Really!? I'm disappointed in you Mac...

$0.35 per bullet would be much cheaper than housing, feeding and edjumacating the scum...

Do it like China does..
.22 to the back of the head and bill the family for the bullet.

it cheaper to shoot them than it is to deport them

Sorry Mac, but eff that. I dont want any more of my money spent on these jagoffs that what I already put out for welfare and jail while they wait deportation. I say we just get them as far south of the border(like the south pole) so it is harder for them to make their way back.

I say we shoot the people in our government doing the background checks.

Are you friends with DD???

bad apples in every bunch.

He may have been an honest, and perfectly acceptable employee when hired and the background was conducted, I don't believe that too many LEO start off as corrupt, but things change, addictions, finances, love, blackmail (and in the case of Latino descent, the very real threat of violence against family, across the border). I'm not excusing his behaviour, I do believe that he should be prosecuted, but I also believe he deserves a full and very thorough investigation, not just assumptions that four years ago, it was a lazy background.
Just for the record I've known several Border Patrol Officers and they were very proffesional Officers with a difficult and thankless job, many of which were LEO, with other agencies before joining the BP and with the exception of being fluent, in another language, the requirements are not anymore stringent, than most other LEO agencies.
Tim

Blackmail is the act of threatening to reveal substantially true information about a person to the public, a family member, or associates unless a demand is met. This information is usually of an embarrassing, socially damaging, and/or incriminating nature. As the information is substantially true, the act of revealing the information may not be criminal in its own right nor amount to a civil law defamation; it is the making of demands in exchange for withholding the information that is often considered a crime. English Law creates a much broader definition of blackmail, covering any unwarranted demands with menaces, whether involving revealing information or not. However, from a libertarian perspective, blackmail is not always considered a crime [1][2]. Some libertarians point out that it is licit to gossip about someone else's secret, to threaten to publicly reveal such information, and to ask that person for money, but it is illegal to combine the threat with the request for money, which raises the question, "Why do two rights make a wrong?"[3]

Blackmail is similar to extortion. The difference is that extortion involves an underlying, independent criminal act, while blackmail does not.

I respectfully beg to differ Tim. Under the blanket of Homeland Security, which most local and state law enforcement are not, the requirements for background are significantly different. Having gone through this process over the past two years, and speaking daily with current agents, applicants and having close personal friends in the Border Patrol, P.D. and Sheriffs Dept. one thing we all agree on is the extensive background and training of USCPB. This is not an attempt to trump what you have said, just an update on current evaluations and investigations.

Everyone deserves a fair trial. However, preliminary reports on this case suggest that this was an extensive, ongoing investigation for who knows how long. A well calculated "raid" in conjunction with other Federal Agencies was performed and the Agent was caught with his pants down. He will have an opportunity to plead his case.

A very proud department indeed, and I stand by what I said earlier that it wouldn't surprise me if he wasn't turned in by his own peers. And for those of us waiting patiently for this career, it angers us to see someone abuse this privilege. I personally am for continued background updates annually . For all facets of law enforcement. However, budgets are strict and tight so I realize that that may never happen. We can only hope that the integrity of the individuals within the department will continue to govern and hold each other accountable.

X2

This just happened around here.

Yeah, Blame someone else.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the guy was a Border Patrol Agent...meaning...I'm sure he is an American citizen...even though he was born and raised in Mexico.

Even the illegals, make them do the time, then deport them. Otherwise where is the deterrent? If you just deport them, they'll be back tomorrow with no punishment for jumping the border, running/dealing drugs, human smuggling, ect...

After the sentences are served, strip the BP Agent of his citizenship and he has 90 days to find a new country or plead his case as to why he should be able to stay here and what "skill/service" he can provide.


While I generally have a "kill'em all" mentality, I also take time to look at where I can provide the most pain and example for all.

Charge him
convict him,
Make him serve his time
put a bullet in his brain, charge his family for the bullet
then deport him

VERY HARSH, but I like it.

Why do illegals come to this country? Who provides the jobs for them? This BPs father had a record, as to what I know the BP and Home Land Security do an intense back ground check. Bad credit wont get you hired, so how didnt they know about this dudes fathers record? You say shoot the illegals, or shoot this other person when the only ones to blame is our own government and AMERICAN employers who hire illegals for cheap labor.

That statement isn't quite true. The standards for USBP are lower than most if not all of the city police departments (at least in CA) Many folks that I know personally went federal (USBP CBP) because they had background issues which prevented them from getting hired in a local PD. That being said, yes they do background checks....but how thorough? This guy lied on his application about several things that weren't discovered on his background. BP needs to step up their backgrounds and raise their hiring standards.

Sure there will still be a few 'plants' and bad seeds that get through but those numbers will decrease significantly.

Get your facts straight, I said no such thing.

Blah blah blah, our government is unable and unwilling to truly enforce our immigration laws. Republicans want cheap labor and both political parties want to turn illegal aliens in to voting party members. Homeland Security and the Border Patrol are the DMV of law enforcement. There would be little incentive to illegally enter the US for most people if employers were mandated to use E Verify and more importantly faced criminal charges for failing to do so.
I wouldn't trust our government to do a background check on my dog much less Border Patrol officers. The whole thing is a joke, open the borders already and put BP officers on the freeways fixing pot holes.
Just saying...

My current personal experience is quite the opposite. Your theory may have held true perhaps before my entrance into this process. But my take is based,on the last 23 months and the changes that have been implemented. So I am wrong in the sense that this character processed over 4 years ago, so who knows when his actual background investigation took place. Heck it could have been 5 or even 6 years ago.

Just out of curiosity, when were your friends going through USBP CBP? I started in February '09. People that tested in that same time frame are now getting called for EOD. I'm hoping to get my call here soon.

In your closing, I agree, and is what I meant about "current" BI's and processing. This story is not the first nor the last that someone will cave under pressure and give in to temptation, however, I was told point blank that I could be DQ'd simply by association. Either directly or indirectly.

Our good friends are SBSO (Cabazon) and my high school buddy is LASO Sgt. (Norwalk). My other good friend just retired from USBP (Riverside) and other close friend/family member has 15 years USBP (Indio). Three people I tested with, one an honorably discharged Marine who served Marine One for President George W., and the two others whom I keep in touch with weekly say that the PD process is not as in-depth and the testing is plain and simply "easier". I know peoples opinions differ, and I'm not trying to start a battle here with a LEO that I have total respect for, just offering my opinion/experience and what my close friends and colleagues have to say about it.
Having said all that, let's root for me getting my call here soon lol!!

I hope you do get the call soon! BP Patrol Agents (PA's) were just given GS12's so you also have that to look forward to once you work your way up!

I know that's awesome! Thanks for the wishes!

Really want to serve and look forward to a nice retirement at 60. USBP is union as well.

Try getting my security clearance....

Had to go back 20 years and they contacted EVERYONE.

Had to provide finger prints and DNA.

Figures.
Good luck JT.

That's how it should be IMO.

Figures? That they're Union? LOL!

Thanks BaBa . Met you awhile back at your pad. You were selling your Rampage.

And their/ you going to give this dirt bag a great lawyer...Just remember that everytime you pay your union dues. As far as pension goes.....good luck with that by the time you get in it will probally be like most of the other Fed jobs and will only be a 401K.

Yep I remember. When you get in don't ask questions and DON'T VOLUNTEER FOR SH IAT!

Ok, I misunderstood at least part of your post. Yes, the BP agent should be hung up by his nads and serve as much jail time as possible. As far as general illegals, its a tough call. 3 hots and a cot might be better living than back home. How long a sentence is given to a "regular" illegal?

McDonalds, El Pollo Loco, Chilli's, Just about every from of restaurant, Landscaping companies. warehouses, Just about any business that has a need for cheap illegal labor. It is that bad.

using that kind of logic,
Bank robbers shouldn't be blamed, its the banks fault for having all that money!

todays paper also said the guy had a dui that he didnt tell the agency about
\

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/ja...en-underground/

Amazing huh.

Jtown777, first off, I wish you the best on the pursuit of your chosen career and I hope you get the "call" very soon, but bud, you gotta be careful
1st Under the blanket of Homeland Security, which most local and state law enforcement are not, the requirements for background are significantly different. really? isn't TSA under that same blanket? and to be quiet honest, they should be capable of hiring a more professional group, I'm thinking you don't want to be too darned proud of the Dept. of Homeland Security association. (GNOMEALLY, don't get bent...you know what I mean )

2nd Under the blanket of Homeland Security, which most local and state law enforcement are not, the requirements for background are significantly different.
You are correct, most local and state agencies are not under The Dept. of Homeland Security, most of these agencies also are not required to hire under affirmative action (if I'm not mistaken,Feds still use it) we do get to hire the most qualified with zero restrictions based on minority/ gender status.

3rd Under the blanket of Homeland Security, which most local and state law enforcement are not, the requirements for background are significantly different.
It's probably like the old Marines vs. Soldiers "my boot camp was tougher than your boot camp" crap. As I've stated before I've known several BP Officers, adequate and professional officers, but I've known at least one that worked with me for 4-5 years and went to the BP, he was allowed to resign from our Dept. was ethically and morally challenged, not criminal, that I was aware of, but the point is BP performed a background investigation (nearly 1/2 year hiring process), had full disclosure from our Dept. and still hired him. It's been my expierence that most department perform an adequate background, some perform a very thorough and some just hire their brother-inlaws.

4th I'm not familar with USCPB or their training, Our departments training consists of 10-12 months, for the basic phase.
And yes there are departments that send their troops to the basic academy (16 weeks) and throw them in a car.

5th Just a word of caution, I performed backgroud investigations for several years, I still assist, one of the best sources of information is the internet, social networks, Youtube, google, your friends, your associates, yours co-workers (past and present), your family, your refrences, your hobbies....I use what you've placed on your application, I use what you've told the investigators, I read your blogs, their blogs, anything, anywhere, pics, videos.....it's amazing what information your friends, brothers, sisters, ex-wife, ex-girlfriends etc... will provide, I'm just saying it provides a lot of insight to someones real persona, maturity level, honesty, etc....

I wish you well my friend and really hope you get job. Tim

Most banks don't leave money laying around on the counter then pull the "wink wink nod" when you take it. kind of confusing when California charges an illegal alien less for a college education than it does an American citizen from Arizona. Our government doesn't want to enforce immigration law plain and simple.

Wow..

I know a guy that spent nearly two years jumping through the CBP hoops, only to be eventually turned down for some BS during the Poly test.



The CBP entrance policies are VERY F'd up!!

Okay, so it turns out it was his Father[/size] [size="1"](and so what if he was a felon) and so what if he had some other guy in the hidden underground room (he was probably was a burglar, we have no way of knowing that the BP knew he was there....so I'm just sayin, "how about a little compassion?" Let's get the BP union involved, let's keep this guy on the job..."For Gods sake, LEAVE BRITTANY ALONE!!!!" err I mean for Gods sake "leave the BP alone"