Former CBP Officer Charged with Transporting an Illegal Alien

BROWNSVILLE, TX—Rudy Trace Soliz III, 43, has been charged with bringing in and willfully transporting an undocumented alien and conspiracy to commit the same, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today. Soliz, of Brownsville, was formerly employed as an officer with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and resigned from his position following his arrest yesterday.

Soliz made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Felix Recio today. Soliz remains in federal custody pending bond, set at $100,000, of which he is required to post 15 percent. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, if it can be established that the offenses were committed for commercial advantage or private financial gain, and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case is being investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Office of Professional Responsibility, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General and CBP – Internal Affairs. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Angel Castro.

A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.

A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.