Published: May 20, 2008 01:19 am         

Indicted border agent ordered held without bond

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A U.S. Border Patrol agent accused of helping smuggle illegal immigrants across the Mexican border was denied bail Monday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

Jesus M. Huizar, 28, appeared in federal court Monday for a bond hearing where U.S. Magistrate Judge Norbert J. Garney ruled that he was a flight risk and should remain jailed pending his trial, prosecutors said.

Huizar was indicted last month on charges of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and money laundering.

According to a 22-page indictment, Huizar and Mexican nationals Emeterio Sigala Favela, 37, Luis Carlos Chacon Rubio, 32, and 46-year-old Rosa Isela Escajeda worked together since January 2005 to smuggle at least 100 illegal immigrants across the border.

Huizar, Sigala and Chacon were arrested last week. All three men have pleaded not guilty. Sigala and Chacon waived their court appearances Monday and were also ordered to remain jailed.

A secretary for Huizar’s lawyer, Luis E. Islas, said Islas would have no comment about the case.

Escajeda was arrested Monday at her El Paso home and is expected to appear in federal court Tuesday. Court records do not show if Escajeda has a lawyer.

According to prosecutors, Huizar was paid to allow smugglers to ferry illegal immigrants through a Border Patrol checkpoint in New Mexico. His El Paso home was also used as a safe house for illegal immigrants, prosecutors allege.

Officials with the Department of Homeland Security declined to discuss Huizar’s case or his status with the agency.

If convicted, Huizar faces up to 30 years in federal prison. His co-defendants each face up to 10 years if convicted.