A South Texas police officer has resigned and faces a human smuggling charge after being stopped at a border checkpoint with two women allegedly in the U.S. illegally.
McAllen police Officer Joan De La Fuente-Garza is in custody pending a federal detention hearing Thursday.
Prosecutors say the officer was off-duty Friday and in a northbound car with two women at the Falfurrias (fal-FYOO'-ree-uhs) checkpoint. They say the passengers could not produce identification on their immigration status.
De La Fuente-Garza had been a McAllen officer since 2011. She resigned later Friday.
A magistrate on Monday ordered her to remain in custody. The women she allegedly transported were also detained.
Messages left with an attorney for De La Fuente-Garza seeking comment on the allegations and with McAllen police weren't immediately returned Tuesday.
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This story has been corrected to reflect that the officer is a woman.
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