Texas police officer resigns, accused of human smuggling

McAllen (US), Jun 17: A Texas police officer has resigned and faces a human smuggling charge after being stopped at a border checkpoint with two women allegedly in the US illegally.

McAllen police Officer Joan De La Fuente-Garza is in custody pending a federal detention hearing tomorrow. Prosecutors say the officer was off-duty on Friday and in a northbound car with two women at the Falfurrias checkpoint. They say the passengers could not produce identification or their immigration status.

De La Fuente-Garza had been a McAllen officer since 2011. She resigned later Friday. A magistrate on Monday ordered her to remain in custody. The women she allegedly transported were also detained. Messages left with an attorney for De La Fuente-Garza seeking comment on the allegations and with McAllen police weren't immediately returned yesterday.

AP