A former Los Angeles Police Department officer, a registered sex offender, was arrested attempting to smuggle people into the United States.

According to the U. S. Border Patrol, early last week, agents received information from a resident near Campo, California, that they saw what appeared to be a human smuggling attempt. Border Patrol agents were able to conduct a stop on the suspect SUV. The driver of the vehicle presented a badge similar to an LAPD badge and identified himself as a lieutenant with that department. There were three women and a man also in the SUV. The passengers told agents that they had recently crossed into the U.S. from Mexico illegally. A search of the suspect vehicle led to the discovery of a ghost gun and two fully loaded 9mm magazines. A records check revealed the driver is a former LAPD officer who was terminated in 1993 when he was convicted of forcible rape and sentenced to 3 years in prison.

The driver was turned over to San Diego County Sheriff's Office for processing. The smuggled migrants were processed for removal.