U.S. Border Patrol agent charged with abuse of a minor

BROWNSVILLE — Cameron County sheriff's deputies have arrested a U.S. Border Patrol agent after an investigation into allegations the man had a sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl.

Francisco Villanueva, 35, was charged Wednesday with soliciting sexual relations with a minor, a second-degree felony, and engaging in sexual acts with a minor, a third-degree felony, Sheriff Omar Lucio said.

Bond was set at $30,000 for the soliciting charge and $20,000 for the other charge.

"The investigation started on Feb. 1 when the mother ... came in and spoke with our investigators," Lucio said.

Villanueva, a Border Patrol agent for eight years, had been a friend of the girl's family for years and frequently visited their home, the sheriff said. The parents learned of the alleged relationship when they found written descriptions of what purportedly transpired.

"Apparently the girl's sisters had discovered a diary and some letters that described the type of relation and acts that were involved," Lucio said.

The teenager was taken to the Cameron County Children's Advocacy Center, where she underwent a forensic interview, which determined she had been involved in a sexual relationship with the agent, the sheriff said.

Villanueva was arrested at the Border Patrol station in Harlingen when he arrived for his shift, Lucio said.

"While sexual assaults are not unheard of, incidents like this tarnish all the men and women in law enforcement who are proud of their badge," the sheriff said.

____

Ildefonso Ortiz is reporter for The Brownsville Herald.