A Border Patrol agent is being investigated for allegedly threatening teens participating in an agency program when they were traveling back from a trip.
A Santa Cruz Sheriffβs Office deputy was sent to the Sonoita Border Patrol Station, 3225 Highway 82, on Oct. 15, after a report of threats being made to some of the juveniles in the Explorer program.
The alleged threats occurred somewhere between Marana and Sonoita, a sheriffβs report said.
The Customs and Border Protection program is for youth ages 14 to 21 who are interested in law enforcement and βoffers opportunities in character building, good citizenship and fitness,β according to the agencyβs website.
The deputy said an agent told him βone of the Border Patrol advisors to the juvenile explorers had verbally threatened and made a gesture with his hand to put a gun in the mouth of five explorers after using profanity.β
Upon learning of the allegation, officials at the Sonoita Border Patrol Station reported the incident and all parents were notified, the agency said in a written statement.
βCustoms and Border Protection takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and will continue to work with outside investigative agencies to maintain the integrity of our workforce,β it said.
The investigation is ongoing.
