TUCSON, Ariz. — A former Border Patrol Agent has been sentenced to six years in prison for accepting bribes to help drug smugglers, the U.S. Attorney's Office says.
Jose Antonio Yanez of Pirtleville, Ariz., pleaded guilty to charges stemming from using his position to help drug traffickers move thousands of kilograms of marijuana across the border from 2014 to 2016.
Prosecutors say he did this by turning Border Patrol cameras away from smugglers carrying marijuana, leaving his patrol area so vehicles carrying drugs could cross the border, and providing the smugglers with sensitive information.
Yanez reportedly admitted to accepting more than $16,000 to take part in the conspiracy.
He is also accused of smuggling at least 160 alprazolam and tramadol pills into the U.S. from Mexico to give to another person.
In addition to being sentenced to six years in prison, he was ordered to pay $340,434 in restitution to CBP for the salary he received while he was involved in the conspiracy.
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