A Mexican national has been charged with federal offenses for allegedly attempting to bribe a U.S. Border Patrol Agent after being apprehended for illegal re-entry into the United States.
Court records indicate that on February 8, 2025, Samuel Mendoza-Torres, aged 29, was detained along with another individual near the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station. During transport to the station, Mendoza-Torres reportedly asked the agent, "Can we fix this?" and offered $400 in exchange for his release.
In a post-arrest interview, Mendoza-Torres admitted to guiding illegal immigrants from Mexico into the United States and acknowledged that he knew offering money to a Border Patrol Agent was unlawful.
Mendoza-Torres will remain in custody until his trial date is set. If found guilty of these charges, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, and Chief Patrol Agent Walter "Neil" Slosar of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector.
The investigation is being conducted by the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau Investigation and the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Ry Ellison is handling the prosecution.