In El Paso today, 45-year-old Supervisory Department of Homeland Security U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer Marco Antonio Aveytia waived his arraignment and entered a not guilty plea to lying to federal authorities in connection with an ongoing investigation announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., CBP Deputy Special Agent in Charge Art Martinez, Jr., and Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist of the FBI’s El Paso Division.

A federal grand jury indictment returned last Wednesday charges Aveytia with one count of falsification of records in a federal investigation. The indictment alleges Aveytia that on January 26, 2014, Aveytia provided false information that his government issued firearm was stolen during a burglary of his residence.

Upon conviction, Aveytia faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.

Aveytia, who was arrested on Monday, is currently on bond awaiting further court proceedings. Jury selection and trial, before U.S. District Judge Philip Martinez, has yet to be scheduled.

The case resulted from a joint investigation by the CBP-Office of Internal Affairs and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg McDonald.

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.