Honduras News - Daily News about Honduras

LAREDO, Texas - A former U.S. border control agent pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to conspiring to transport illegal immigrants for money, a felony that carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced.

William John Ferrone, 42, of Laredo, could also face as much as a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents stopped Ferrone on July 28 and found 11 illegal immigrants from Mexico and Honduras in his sport utility vehicle, authorities said.

Investigators said Ferrone had picked up the group on Interstate 35 about six miles north of the Laredo border checkpoint. Two guides had steered the immigrants through the brush around the checkpoint and left them with Ferrone, authorities said.

Ferrone said Friday in open court that his original role in the scheme was only to introduce a coyote in the U.S. to one in Mexico. He said he only made the pickup July 28 when he learned the arranged driver was not going to do it, authorities said.