McALLEN, Texas - Jose Luis Huerta-Aguilar, 32, of Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been ordered to federal prison for bribery of a public official, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Huerta-Aguilar pleaded guilty Monday, Nov. 5, 2012.

Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez, who accepted the guilty plea, handed Huerta-Aguilar an 18-month sentence. As an illegal alien, Huerta-Aguilar is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.

On June 14, 2012, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent began communicating with via radio with Huerta-Aguilar who was requesting assistance in obtaining entry for himself and two other undocumented aliens. On June 16, 2012, Huerta-Aguilar met with the agent at the Progreso Port of Entry at which time Huerta-Aguilar delivered United States and Mexican currency to the agent as payment to permit Huerta-Aguilar and the aliens entry into the United States without inspection.

Huerta-Aguilar will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The investigation leading to the charges against Huerta-Aguilar was conducted through a joint effort with The Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General, Office of Professional Responsibility, Customs and Border Protection - Office of Internal Affairs and Customs and Border Protection. Assistant United States Attorney Juan Villescas prosecuted the case.