SAN JUAN, P.R. - United States Magistrate Judge Bruce J. McGiverin authorized a criminal complaint charging San Juan Municipal police officer Luz Zoraida Rojas-Delgado with one count of human smuggling, announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) is in charge of the investigation.
According to the information contained in the affidavit submitted in support of the criminal complaint, on Aug. 24, 2015, Rojas-Delgado established communication with a Source of Information requesting assistance to smuggle a friend from Antigua to Puerto Rico. Rojas-Delgado had previously engaged in communications with other people in an attempt to make a deal for the venture but did not agree with the price of $3,000 established by the alleged smuggler.
The investigation conducted by the ICE-HSI revealed that on Aug. 25, 2015, Rojas-Delgado agreed with an undercover agent, who she believed was a smuggler, to bring her Dominican friend from Antigua for $2,800. On Aug. 28, 2015, the defendant met with the undercover agent and after paying $1,800 for the smuggling, she was arrested.
The investigation also revealed that Rojas-Delgado stated that she was working on building a case against transporters to later turn it over to pertinent agencies. HSI special agents were able to confirm with the San Juan Municipal Police that Rojas-Delgado was not working on any authorized operation at the time of her arrest.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Erbe. If convicted defendant faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. A criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
