Former Border Patrol Agent Salvatore Contreras Convicted of Attempting to Entice a Child

LAREDO, Texas – A 50-year-old former Border Patrol (BP) agent has admitted he attempted to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Salvatore Contreras was a former agent stationed in Del Rio.

Contreras had been in contact with an undercover agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) whom he believed was the parent of two daughters ages eight and 14. During the conversations, Contreras transmitted numerous images of child pornography. He then travelled from Del Rio to Cotulla believing that he would be engaging in sexual activity with both minor children.

Contreras was arrested upon his arrival in Cotulla on Dec. 2, 2016. Following his arrest, he resigned from BP.

Sentencing will be set a later date. At that hearing, Contreras faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Customs and Border Protection – Office of Inspector General and HSI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) – Western District of Texas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa of the USAO – Southern District of Texas is prosecuting the case.