McALLEN, Texas - Carmen Alonzo, 57, of Progreso, Texas, has pleaded guilty to engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

In July 2011, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents encountered a minor female as she was headed southbound through the Progreso Port of Entry. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) conducted and investigation and learned Alonzo, who had been employed at the Progreso Port of Entry, engaged in illicit sexual conduct with this minor while in Mexico. At the hearing held today, Alonzo admitted that from Jan. 1, 2010, through April 30, 2010, he traveled into Mexico and had sexual intercourse with the minor, who was under the age of 16 at the time.

Alonzo has been in custody since his arrest Aug. 4, 2011, where he will remain pending his sentencing hearing, set for April 11, 2012, before U.S. District Court Judge Randy Crane. At that time, he faces up to 30 years in prison for engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place in addition to a possible fine up to $250,000.
 
The investigation leading to the charges against Alonzo was conducted by ICE-HSI and CBP. Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly Ann Leo and Kristen Rees prosecuted the case.