By Michael Webster: May 14, 2008 12:00 PM PST

 

Federal agents arrested one of their own Jesus M. Huizar, 28, an agent of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency on suspicion of conspiring to smuggle undocumented immigrants illegally into the United States.

U.S. Agent Jesus M. Huizar, is a five-year veteran of the force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said.

According to the El Paso Times U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent Jesus Miguel Huizar, was walked Wednesday from the El Paso County Detention Facility to the U.S. Federal Courthouse to face a preliminary hearing after being arrested on charges of conspiracy to smuggle undocumented immigrants. Huizar, who allegedly conspired with two Chihuahua men, Emeterio Sigala Favela, 37, and Luis Carlos Chacon Rubio, 32, who were also arrested, was allegedly paid 0 per undocumented immigrant to let them cross into the U.S. Officials believe Huizar has been involved in the smuggling ring since 2005. May was Huizar's fifth anniversary working for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Huizar, who is assigned to the El Paso region, was arrested Tuesday and is in custody at the El Paso County Jail, according to the El Paso County Sheriff ‘s jail records. Examination of federal court records shows no bond has been set to date. El Paso criminal defense attorney Sib Abraham is expected to represent Huizar and a bail hearing is expected soon.