McALLEN, Texas - A legal permanent resident from Cuba who resided in Mission has been sentenced to federal prison for impersonating an officer of the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Eugene Agustin Munoz-Canellas, 55, pleaded guilty Nov. 16, 2016.
Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced Munoz-Canellas to 18 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Crane considered the defendant’s extensive criminal history of theft and fraud and noted the need to impose a sentence that protected the community and promoted respect for the law.
From July 2015 to Sept. 23, 2016, Munoz falsely claimed to be an U.S. Border Patrol agent. Using that position, Munoz illegally solicited bribe payments from multiple individuals seeking legal status in the United States.
Munoz-Canellas has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Professional Responsibility and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Rees prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
