Pubdate: Thu, 02 Nov 2006
Source: The Daily News (Longview, WA)
Copyright: 2006 The Daily News
Contact:   http://www.tdn.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3922
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

BORDER GUARD ACCUSED OF ACCEPTING BRIBES RELEASED PENDING TRIAL

SEATTLE - A U.S. border guard accused of accepting cash and sexual 
favors from a female drug smuggler was released Tuesday on a $20,000 
bond, against the wishes of prosecutors.

Federal Magistrate Judge Mary Alice Theiler also agreed to let the 
guard, Desmone Bastian, continue living in Surrey, British Columbia, 
where he will be monitored pending trial, scheduled for Jan. 2. 
Bastian has pleaded not guilty to one count of accepting a bribe and 
another of importing controlled substances.

Bastian is accused of accepting an undisclosed amount of money as 
well as sexual favors from a female smuggler who told federal agents 
that she is also a madam. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan 
Roe, the smuggler claimed that Bastian sometimes showed up at her 
house of prostitution wearing his U.S. Customs and Border Protection uniform.

In exchange for the money and favors, he would allow her to drive 
into the U.S. from British Columbia with OxyContin pills and 
marijuana, Roe said.

Bastian first raised suspicion last March, when he was seen leaving 
his post at the Blaine crossing to approach the smuggler's car, which 
contained 3,000 OxyContin pills, Roe said.

Investigators combed records and discovered that the woman had 
crossed the border numerous times in the past several years, often in 
Bastian's lane. He never referred her for a secondary inspection, Roe said.

Bastian's attorney, Michael Nance, argued against detaining him 
pending trial, noting that it was not a violent crime. Bastian's wife 
and inlaws attended the hearing.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine