Editorials
Border Patrol agent accused of molesting girl immigrant
EL CENTRO — A veteran Border Patrol agent has been charged with repeatedly molesting the daughter of a former illegal immigrant from Mexico.
Agent Joseph Socorro Olvera, 45, was charged with six felony counts of lewd acts upon the girl, who is now 11, Imperial County Deputy District Attorney Deborah Owen said Wednesday.
Olvera began a relationship with the girl’s mother in 1993, when she was an illegal immigrant and he came to her El Centro home claiming she failed to show up for a court appearance, Owen said.
The woman has since become a legal immigrant, she said.
Authorities believe the molestation began when the girl was in the second grade and continued at least until March, while Olvera was on temporary assignment in the Charleston, S.C. area.
Olvera pleaded innocent at his arraignment Tuesday.
The agent, who now lives in El Centro, is on paid administrative leave pending further investigation into his alleged conduct, said Border Patrol spokesman Dionicio Delgado.
Olvera faces a maximum of eight years in prison on each count if convicted. His defense attorney did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
