Immigration Officer Charged in Six-Thousand-Dollar Extortion
Police say an immigration officer demanded six thousand dollars from a shipping agent and later threatened her when she moved to expose the alleged payment. Danielle Cardinez reportedly handed over the money for six people aboard a vessel at Big Creek Port, but received no receipt. After learning that the payment had never reached its intended destination, she contacted police. Investigators reviewed video footage, gathered additional evidence and charged Immigration Officer Ruben Requena with extortion. Police are now determining whether the alleged threat warrants a separate charge.
Hilberto Romero
ACP Hilberto Romero, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch
“On September eighth, Danielle Cardinez, a shipping agent from Independence reported that she was approached by an immigration officer who requested six thousand dollars from her for six persons that were in a vessel that had docked at the Big Creek Port. The captain of that vessel had been charged for uncustomed goods and the six persons remained in the vessel. She made arrangements and paid an immigration officer six thousand dollars. She then contacted another person to verify if they had received this payment as no receipt had been given to her. Thereafter, she was informed that no payment was received. She made a report, an investigation was carried out, video footage was obtained. Other evidence was gathered and we have since arrested and charged Ruben Requena for the crime of extortion.”
Reporter
“What about the threat?”
Hilberto Romero
“There was a threat made where he had mentioned that if she made a statement, the matter would not be left like that. She still went ahead and made a statement, so he was charged.”
Reporter
“But no actual charge for the threat?”
Hilberto Romero
“That is being followed up at this time. If necessary, that will be an additional charge, but for now he’s charged with extortion.”
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
Watch the full newscast here: