A Mexican national, Samuel Mendoza-Torres, has been charged with attempting to bribe a U.S. Border Patrol Agent after being apprehended for illegal re-entry into the United States. The incident occurred on February 8, 2025, near the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station.

Court records reveal that Mendoza-Torres, aged 29, was detained along with another individual. During transportation to the station, he allegedly asked the agent if they could "fix this" and offered $400 for his release.

In a post-arrest interview, Mendoza-Torres admitted to escorting illegal immigrants from Mexico into the United States. He also acknowledged that offering money to a Border Patrol Agent was illegal.

Mendoza-Torres is currently in custody awaiting trial. If convicted of these charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, and Chief Patrol Agent Walter "Neil" Slosar of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector.

The investigation is being conducted by the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau Investigation and the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Ry Ellison is prosecuting the case.