By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
A Border Patrol supervisor who secretly videotaped his female co-workers in the bathroom was sentenced to 21 months in prison, NBC San Diego reports.
Armando Gonzalez, 46, admitted to recording seven women in the bathroom at the Chula Vista Border Patrol Station and then lying to cover up his actions.
U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez said Gonzalez’s actions were “egregious” and “a violation of trust.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alessandra Serano urged the judge to show no mercy.
“When Armando Gonzalez put a video camera down the drain of a women’s restroom, he also put his career, his honor and his freedom down that drain,” said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy in a statement. “This is a fitting sentence for a man who sullied his badge with such despicable behavior.”
Chief Patrol Agent Richard A. Barlow issued this statement: “The U.S. Border Patrol has cooperated fully with this investigation from the onset and we are satisfied to see the criminal justice system move swiftly to bring this case to a close. Mr. Gonzalez has tarnished the image of every Border Patrol agent who works tirelessly protecting America night and day. Border Patrol agents are held to the highest standards and we remain committed to rooting out unacceptable behavior to ensure that those who commit such acts are held accountable.”
