NEW ORLEANS – A federal Customs and Border Protection officer and his mother have been indicted on charges they harbored illegal immigrants on their property in suburban New Orleans.
Federal prosecutors say 39-year-old Merlin Mireles drove a Mexican woman and her two children from Texas to Metairie after they illegally entered the U.S. Mireles and his mother, 66-year-old Gloria Mireles, allegedly gave the woman and her family places to live in exchange for her performing housekeeping chores.
Gloria Mireles also allegedly helped the woman get a part-time job and helped enroll her children in public schools.
A three-count indictment handed up Friday against Mireles and her son includes a conspiracy charge punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Merlin Mireles was a border officer assigned to Port of Progreso, Texas.
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