Ex-Border Patrol agent sentenced to seven years for smuggling

McALLEN — A former U.S. Border Patrol agent was sentenced in federal court Monday to serve more than seven years in prison for his role in a cocaine smuggling conspiracy.

Reynaldo Zuniga, 34, of Harlingen, pleaded guilty in September to using his official vehicle to drive drug traffickers past areas where they were most likely to be caught.

Zuniga told investigators he accepted $1,200 to make the drive between the banks of the Rio Grande and an Hidalgo Whataburger at least five times before his arrest June 6, according to court documents.

He is at least the fifth local Border Patrol agent to face criminal charges this year.

Zuniga, who resigned his position soon after his arrest, apologized for his actions during Monday's sentencing hearing.

In addition to a prison term of seven years and three months, U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa imposed a three-year supervised release sentence on the former agent.

Two Mexican nationals indicted along with Zuniga were also sentenced Monday.

Jose Luis Arteaga, a Reynosa smuggler caught on hidden camera accepting a ride from Zuniga, will serve three years and 10 months in federal prison.

Luis Alfredo Cruz, who picked up Arteaga from the Whataburger where Zuniga left him, received a year-and-a-half prison term.

Jeremy Roebuck covers courts and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4437.