Marine arrested for alleged human smuggling

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A U.S. Marine was behind bars for allegedly smuggling undocumented immigrants into the United States through the San Ysidro Port of Entry, military officials reported Tuesday.

The suspect was arrested by federal officers about 1:30 a.m. Monday, according to USMC officials.

The Marine was being held in civilian custody, though it was not immediately clear whether the case might ultimately be transferred to the

military justice system.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service were investigating the alleged crime, Marine Corps public

affairs 1st Lt. Cameron Edinburgh said.

"We will continue to cooperate with civilian authorities on this case going forward," the spokesman said.

No further information about the allegations was immediately available, including the suspect's identity, which was being withheld "out of

respect for their privacy," according to Edinburgh.

In July, military police arrested 23 Camp Pendleton-based Marines on suspicion of human trafficking, as well as drug and weapons offenses. Six have entered guilty pleas at courts-martial, another 13 have agreed to be discharged from the Marine Corps in exchange for dismissal of charges in the military system, and four remain in pretrial court-martial status, USMC officials reported.