TUCSON, Ariz. –LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Pablo S. Berry, 23, of Douglas, Arizona, was sentenced here to 24 months federal probation, by U.S. District Judge Raner C. Collins, and resigned his position with the United States Border Patrol. Mr. Berry, formerly assigned as an Agent to the Naco, Arizona Border Patrol Station, had pleaded guilty on September 19, 2005, to Making False Statements, and Harboring an Illegal Alien. United States Attorney Paul K. Charlton said, “This conviction sends a message that citizens have the absolute right to expect their law enforcement officials are not only charged with enforcing the law, but are expected and required to personally uphold it as well.”
Berry had admitted that he harbored Claudia Veronica Vasquez-Banda, an illegal alien, from 2001 until February 17, 2005. Berry also admitted that he made false statements to the investigator assigned to conduct his background investigation when he applied for employment with the United States Border Patrol. In response to the background investigator’s inquiry about Vasquez-Banda, Berry wrote a letter stating that he knew Vasquez-Banda was a United States citizen when, in fact, he had been present with her in 1999 when she was removed from the United States for being an illegal alien and knew she had no authority to be in the United States. Mr. Berry also falsely claimed that he did not know where she could be located, when in fact she was living with him at the time.
The investigation in this case was conducted by immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility (ICE-OPR). The prosecution was handled by Mary Sue Feldmeier, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.
