Four individuals are in custody following allegations of bribery to lift immigration detainers, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Houston residents Leopoldo Perrault Benitez, 53, Anthony Benitez, 32, Isaac Sierra, 51, and Jose Angel Muniz, 51, from La Porte made their initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray. During this session, the indictment was unsealed and they were ordered into custody pending further proceedings.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment on June 24. It claims that Leopoldo Benitez owned A Way Out Bail Bonds in Houston and his son Anthony Benitez worked there as an employee. Sierra was employed at International Bonding Company while Muniz allegedly served as a deportation officer with Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO).
The charges suggest that between April 2023 and March 2024, the three bail bondsmen paid Muniz to remove immigration detainers on illegal aliens held in ICE custody awaiting removal.
“The Southern District of Texas takes allegations of corruption by federal officers extremely seriously, particularly those entrusted with keeping our border secure and nation safe,” said Ganjei. “There is no room whatsoever for bribery or side deals when it comes to immigration enforcement.”
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 15 years in prison along with a fine equal to the value of the bribes offered or $250,000—whichever is greater.
The investigation was conducted by ICE - Office of Professional Responsibility, FBI and Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard D. Hanes is prosecuting the case.
It should be noted that an indictment is a formal accusation but not evidence of guilt; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due process.
