Ex-LAPD Cop Admits to Smuggling Mexican Woman
In the spare-wheel well of his SUV.
Mike Blake/Reuters
A former Los Angeles police officer has admitted to attempting to smuggle a Mexican citizen into the U.S. by fitting her into the spare-tire well of his SUV in March 2015, according to Justice Department documents. Carlos Curiel Quezada Jr. pleaded guilty Wednesday to smuggling charges after hiding 26-year-old Antanasio Perez Avalos in his 2014 Nissan Juke.
Quezada’s girlfriend, 31-year-old Angelica Godinez, was his front-seat passenger. They both presented their U.S. passports and didn’t declare anything on their customs forms. A customs officer, for an unknown reason, referred them for a more intensive inspection. When officers checked the vehicle, an imaging device picked up an unusual read on the rear cargo area of the vehicle.
Godinez pleaded guilty to lying on an application for court-appointed counsel. Both are scheduled for sentencing in August.
—Olivia Messer
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.