Hundreds of border agents investigated for misconduct: report

Hundreds of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents are currently under investigation through the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility for a range of misconduct, including drug smuggling, sexual assault and domestic violence.

Documents obtained by Newsweek show that more than 200 agents have been implicated in a variety of crimes, including 17 cases of domestic violence, 11 allegations of sexual abuse and 10 cases of smuggling migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Eleven officers are under investigation for physical abuse of detainees, and 13 are linked to criminal gangs. In addition, the CBP is investigating allegations of crimes against children.

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An agency spokesperson responded to these investigations, saying CBP does not tolerate misconduct and will comply with all investigations.

The investigations follow several cases this year, including an agent who kidnapped and sexually assaulted a teenager in August, that have drawn scrutiny over the agency’s own oversight. Critics have called for the FBI to take over the investigations to ensure a more impartial inquiry.