BORDER PATROL AGENT ARRESTED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING MIGRANT A Border Patrol agent in Arizona was arrested this week on charges that he drove an undocumented female migrant to a remote location and sexually assaulted her. Dennis Johnson is the second Border Patrol agent in Arizona to be accused of sexual assault of a migrant in the last two months, and the fifth to be arrested for a felony since the end of August.
According to the alleged victim, a 21-year-old from El Salvador, Johnson removed her from a vehicle in which she was traveling with other migrants and drove her in his official car to a secluded place and there forced her into performing sex acts. She says he then drove her to near the port of entry at Naco, Arizona where she was later apprehended by other agents, who she told of the assault.
Johnson had been with the Border Patrol for more than four years. Whether he loses his position will in large part depend on the outcome of the criminal case against him. In the meantime, he will be placed on administrative leave.
The Border Patrol is trying to put a positive spin on this latest act of alleged wrongdoing by its agents. According to them, it is not a sign of pervasive corruption and misconduct, but is instead a sign that incidents of misconduct are aggressively pursued. However, critics are concerned that the agency may be experience more serious problems, stemming at least in part from the way in which background checks of recruits are conducted.
The incident is also being examined by the Justice Department Office of the Inspector General and the FBI. < Back | Next > Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk. | 
