AP: Texas

12/09/2004

Associated Press

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection official was arrested Thursday on charges he accepted money to help illegal immigrants cross into the United States by letting them drive through the international bridge lanes he supervised.

Fabian Solis, 41, is accused in a four-count indictment of conspiracy, attempt to transport undocumented aliens, acceptance of official bribes and extortion under color of official right.

Solis was arrested while on duty at the international bridge at Roma, Texas.

He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Felix Recio and was released on $150,000 bond.

Prosecutors say Solis allowed a smuggler to drive vehicles containing illegal immigrants through inspection lanes at the Roma, Rio Grande City, and Falcon Heights ports of entry in exchange for $300 for immigrant. At least one other smuggler had a similar arrangement with Solis.

The indictment alleges Solis had proceeds of at least $170,000 since March 2003.

If convicted, Solis faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $200,000 fine each on the conspiracy and alien transport charges, up to 15 years in federal prison on the bribery charge, and up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the extortion charge.

Solis is not the first Customs official accused recently of conspiring with smugglers.

On Nov. 16, an indictment was unsealed alleging that 43-year-old senior inspector Lizandro Martinez accepted money to allow smugglers to drive drugs through his inspection lane at the Progreso International Bridge.