Houston Bail Bondsmen, ICE Officer Indicted for Bribery

Four Houston residents, including bail bondsmen Leopoldo Benitez, his son Anthony Benitez, Isaac Sierra, and ICE deportation officer Jose Angel Muniz, have been indicted and arrested on federal bribery charges. The group allegedly operated a kickback scheme from April 2023 to March 2024, paying Muniz to lift immigration detainers on inmates at the Harris County Jail, allowing their release without ICE intervention. All four face up to 15 years in prison and significant fines if convicted. Authorities emphasized a zero-tolerance policy on corruption among federal officers, especially those involved in immigration enforcement. The case is part of a broader federal crackdown on fraudulent bail bond practices in the Houston area. The investigation involved multiple federal agencies, including ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.