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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 Sheriffโ€™s 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 sheriffโ€™s report said.

The Customs and Border Protection program is for youth ages 14 to 21 who are interested in law enforcement and โ€œoffers opportunities in character building, good citizenship and fitness,โ€ according to the agencyโ€™s website.

The deputy said an agent told him โ€œone 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.โ€

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.

โ€œCustoms 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,โ€ it said.

The investigation is ongoing.


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Contact reporter Perla Trevizo at 573-4213 or ptrevizo@tucson.com. On Twitter: @Perla_Trevizo