Customs and Border Patrol Agent Indicted for Making False Statements

A federal indictment unsealed earlier today in the District of Minnesota charges a former agent with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (“CBP”) with one count of making a false statement regarding two men who purportedly threatened his family. The indictment against Andrew Rodriguez, age 29, of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, was unsealed following his initial appearance in U.S. District Court.

The indictment alleges that on November 7, 2010, Rodriguez told FBI agents that while driving along Minnesota Highway 71, he was pulled over by two men, one of whom threatened to harm his family if he failed to do as instructed. Allegedly, Rodriguez also told the FBI agents that he had seen the men’s vehicle near his home on a few recent occasions. Later, he reportedly admitted he had fabricated the story in an effort to relocate to the southern border.

If convicted, Rodriguez faces a potential maximum penalty of five years in prison. All sentences will be determined by a

Federal District Court

judge.

This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the CBP, the Minnesota State Patrol, and the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly M. Hare.