An Oregon man pleaded guilty to offering an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official $3,000 to have his wife and her daughter deported, The Sacramento Bee reported.
Antonio Oswaldo Burgos, 48, sponsored the woman from El Salvador to get married, but he sought help from an ICE agent to get his wife and step daughter deported, according to his federal plea agreement, per the Bee.
"Attempting to bribe a federal law enforcement officer is a serious crime and will be met with equally serious consequences," U.S. attorney for the District of Oregon Billy J. Williams wrote in a news release. "I commend the ICE officer involved in this case for responding to Burgos' criminal proposition with the utmost level of professionalism and resolve."
Burgos faced a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, the Bee reported. He will be sentenced in May and remain in federal prison until then.
"We rely upon our officers to perform their duties with integrity," special agent in charge for HSI Seattle Brad Bench wrote in the Justice Department news release, per the Bee. "Because of the deportation officer's actions, Burgos is being brought to justice.
"This case should send a strong message that those who attempt to coerce a public official will be punished."
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.