Former Customs and Border Protection Officer Rhonda Lee Walker is facing up to 10 years in prison.AFP via Getty Images
A former Customs and Border Protection officer pleaded guilty to conspiracy to encourage or induce a foreign national to enter the United States, to employ as her nanny, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
The former CBP officer, Rhonda Lee Walker, 40, of Laredo, improperly used another officer’s computer login to illegally enter the country “through the Laredo Port of Entry, scanning her immigration documents before entry,” according to the release.
Migrant girl, 8, crosses border alone — and has no way to contact parents
“The woman had no legal status to reside or work in the United States. However, Walker intended for the woman to illegally enter the country and work for her as a housekeeper and nanny,” according to the release.
She also lied to authorities, saying that the woman — Yadira Yesenia Treviño-San Miguel, according to LMTonline — was her aunt; Walker also denied processing her entry or employing her.
“Walker intended for the woman to illegally enter the country and work for her as a housekeeper and nanny,” Jennifer B. Lowery, acting U.S. attorney, said in a statement. “Walker also lied to authorities. She falsely stated Trevino was her biological aunt and denied processing her entry or employing her in her home.”
Walker will be sentences Aug. 9. She faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Prosecutors dropped felony counts of illegally bringing Trevino into the country and lying to authorities in exchange for the plea, according to the Associated Press.
