Mother and Son Indicted For Transporting and Harboring Illegal Aliens

Merlin Mireles, 39, of Metairie, La., a Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBP) who was assigned to the Port of Progreso, Texas, and his mother, Gloria Mireles, 66, also of Metairie, were charged today in a three-count indictment by a federal grand jury for conspiracy, transporting, and harboring illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

The indictment alleges that Merlin and Gloria Mireles harbored an illegal Mexican and her two minor children in Metairie from about June 2004 until mid-February 2005.

According to the indictment, Merlin Mireles transported the woman and her children in his pick-up truck from Texas to Metairie, where they lived in two properties provided by the defendants. It is alleged that Gloria Mireles assisted him in harboring the illegal aliens by providing places for them to live, in exchange for which the woman performed housekeeping chores. Additionally, Gloria Mireles assisted the woman in securing part-time employment with a plumbing company in Metairie and also helped her to enroll her children in Jefferson Parish public schools.

If convicted, Merlin Mireles and Gloria Mireles face a maximum term in prison on the conspiracy count of 10 years, and five years each on the transporting and harboring counts, along with a fine of $250,000.

U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Michael E. McMahon.