A former San Diego-area U.S. Border Patrol agent pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to bribery and drug charges, admitting that he was paid at least $110,000 to use his position to help smuggle drugs and undocumented immigrants across the border from Mexico.
Hector Hernandez, 55, pleaded guilty to one count each of attempted distribution of methamphetamine and receiving a bribe by a public official, according to his plea agreement. As part of his deal, prosecutors dropped a second bribery charge.
Hernandez agreed as part of the plea deal to forfeit $110,000 in drug trafficking and bribery proceeds, his 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser that he used to transport drugs and his interest in his Chula Vista home where he stored drugs on at least one occasion.
Hernandez also admitted in his plea agreement to criminal conduct beyond what he was initially accused of , such as giving Mexico-based human smugglers multiple tours of the border. During those tours he pointed out monitoring devices and cameras while identifying the best locations for them to move undocumented immigrants across the border without being caught.