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Former officer is arrested
Man who worked for U.S. immigration is accused of taking bribe from a green card applicant.
By Ryan Vaillancourt
GLENDALE — A former U.S. immigration officer was arrested Thursday for allegedly taking a $2,500 bribe from an illegal immigrant seeking a green card, federal prosecutors said.
Samuel Ciridion Guerrero, 56, of Glassell Park, is accused of meeting several times with a green card applicant in at least three Glendale locations to negotiate unauthorized payment for approving the man’s legal permanent residency, said Thom Mrozek of the U.S. attorney’s office.
Prosecutors are not releasing any information about the applicant, who, according to court documents, was working as a confidential witness during the negotiations.
Guerrero was employed at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ East Los Angeles office from late 2003 to April 11, when he quit for unknown reasons, Mrozek said.
In November 2006, Guerrero allegedly contacted the applicant to discuss possible payment for pending immigration applications, according to a criminal felony complaint the inspector general’s office filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
“What precipitated Guerrero reaching out to this individual, I don’t know,” Mrozek said.
The applicant’s attorney alerted the office of the inspector general about Guerrero’s contact, which led to an undercover operation in which the applicant wore a concealed recording device at three meetings with the then-immigration officer.
The pair met at a Glendale Starbucks, Barnes & Noble Bookstore and Ralphs grocery store, Mrozek said.
Using cash provided by investigators, the witness gave Guerrero $2,500 when the two met at Ralphs in December 2006, according to the complaint.
The witness’ pending application to adjust his/her immigration status to legal permanent resident was approved about one week later, and that status still remains, Mrozek said.
“Presumably, [investigators] have completely debriefed the confidential witness,” Mrozek said. “While we’re alleging that Guerrero took money in exchange for making that application go through, that doesn’t mean that the alien was not entitled to get the green card. And as I understand it, there is [a] certain amount of discretion given to adjudication officers.”
But while officers may be given some leeway in processing applications, accepting a bribe is strictly prohibited, he said.
“That’s the major issue,” he said.
After being arrested Thursday morning, Guerrero waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday afternoon. A U.S. magistrate judge ordered him freed on a $100,000 bond, Mrozek said. Guerrero is due to be arraigned on June 2.
Deputy Federal Public Defender John Littrell, who is representing Guerrero, could not be reached for comment.
RYAN VAILLANCOURT covers business, politics and the foothills. He may be reached at (818) 637-3215 or by e-mail at ryan.vaillancourt@latimes.com.
Samuel Ciridion Guerrero, 56, of Glassell Park, is accused of meeting several times with a green card applicant in at least three Glendale locations to negotiate unauthorized payment for approving the man’s legal permanent residency, said Thom Mrozek of the U.S. attorney’s office.
Prosecutors are not releasing any information about the applicant, who, according to court documents, was working as a confidential witness during the negotiations.
Guerrero was employed at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ East Los Angeles office from late 2003 to April 11, when he quit for unknown reasons, Mrozek said.
In November 2006, Guerrero allegedly contacted the applicant to discuss possible payment for pending immigration applications, according to a criminal felony complaint the inspector general’s office filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
“What precipitated Guerrero reaching out to this individual, I don’t know,” Mrozek said.
The applicant’s attorney alerted the office of the inspector general about Guerrero’s contact, which led to an undercover operation in which the applicant wore a concealed recording device at three meetings with the then-immigration officer.
The pair met at a Glendale Starbucks, Barnes & Noble Bookstore and Ralphs grocery store, Mrozek said.
Using cash provided by investigators, the witness gave Guerrero $2,500 when the two met at Ralphs in December 2006, according to the complaint.
The witness’ pending application to adjust his/her immigration status to legal permanent resident was approved about one week later, and that status still remains, Mrozek said.
“Presumably, [investigators] have completely debriefed the confidential witness,” Mrozek said. “While we’re alleging that Guerrero took money in exchange for making that application go through, that doesn’t mean that the alien was not entitled to get the green card. And as I understand it, there is [a] certain amount of discretion given to adjudication officers.”
But while officers may be given some leeway in processing applications, accepting a bribe is strictly prohibited, he said.
“That’s the major issue,” he said.
After being arrested Thursday morning, Guerrero waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday afternoon. A U.S. magistrate judge ordered him freed on a $100,000 bond, Mrozek said. Guerrero is due to be arraigned on June 2.
Deputy Federal Public Defender John Littrell, who is representing Guerrero, could not be reached for comment.
RYAN VAILLANCOURT covers business, politics and the foothills. He may be reached at (818) 637-3215 or by e-mail at ryan.vaillancourt@latimes.com.
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