U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent Charged with Bribery

United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that a criminal complaint was unsealed today charging Lorne Leslie Jones, a Customs and Border Protection Officer assigned to the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa Ports of Entry, charging him with conspiracy to commit bribery and bringing in illegal aliens for financial gain, as well as aiding and abetting the importation of over 9,300 pounds of marijuana. Jones was arrested earlier today while on duty at the San Ysidro Port of Entry by agents of the Border Corruption Task Force.

This case is being investigated by the Border Corruption Task Force consisting of a number of component agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Jones has not yet made his first court appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of California.

DEFENDANT Case Number: 10MJ3283

Lorne Leslie Jones Age: 46 Chula Vista, California Presently in custody

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Count 1 Title 18, United States Code, Section 371 - Conspiracy to Commit Offenses Against the

United States (Bribery and Bringing in Illegal Aliens)

Maximum Penalties - Five years’ imprisonment and $250,000 fine

Count 2 Title 21, United States Code, Sections 952 and 960 and Title 18, United States Code,

Section 2 - Aiding and Abetting Importation of Marijuana

Maximum Penalties - Ten years to life in custody and $4,000,000 fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

The Border Corruption Task Force is composed of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Protection - Internal Affairs, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Professional

Responsibility, Border Patrol, Transportation Security Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Internal Revenue Service.

A complaint itself is not evidence that the defendant committed the crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.