Former Border Inspector Pleads Guilty

PHOENIX - Michael Craig Anderson, 42, of Yuma, Arizona, pleaded guilty in Phoenix on March 3 in federal district court to charges of bribery, conspiracy to import marijuana, money laundering and filing a false tax return. Anderson was an INS Inspector at the San Luis Port of Entry from 1996 until 2001. During 2000 and 2001, Anderson accepted bribes from drug traffickers in exchange for allowing vehicles loaded with marijuana to pass through his lane without inspection at the port of entry. More than 1000 kilograms of marijuana was waived into the United States as a result of Anderson's activities. The charges to which Anderson pleaded guilty carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, $4 million in fines or both. The plea agreement indicates that he cannot receive less than five years in prison during his sentencing hearing which is set before Judge David G. Campbell on June 5, 2006. In determining an actual sentence, Judge Campbell will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence. Anderson's wife, Gina Anderson, 37, also of Yuma, pleaded guilty on February 24, 2006 to filing a false tax return. That charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. Her sentencing is set for May 8, 2006 also before Judge Campbell. The investigation in this case was conducted by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service. The prosecution is being handled by John Boyle and Mary Beth Pfister, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.