San Ysidro
A Customs inspector at the San Ysidro border crossing pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge that he assaulted a Mexican alien who was in custody at the border.
A federal grand jury charged William F. Grimes, 41, of San Diego with violating the civil rights of the alien, Jaime Gonzalez, while Gonzalez was being held at the border crossing Oct. 27.
Assistant U.S. Atty. Judith Feigin said Grimes surrendered to authorities Monday. The secret indictment was returned May 30 and unsealed at the arraignment.
Grimes, a longtime Customs officer, has been on an unpaid leave of absence since December, Feigin said. He remained free by posting $1,000 bond.
The maximum penalty upon conviction would be a year in jail and a $100,000 fine.
Neither Feigin nor Customs Service officials in San Diego and Los Angeles would answer detailed questions Monday about the alleged assault or the investigation into Grimes’ conduct.
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