A U.S. border inspector has been indicted on charges of choking a traveler.
Local
The U.S. attorney's office in San Diego says 70-year-old Customs and Border Protection Officer Harvey Booker is accused of strangling the traveler on July 8 at the San Ysidro border crossing, the nation's busiest.
Booker was arrested at his home on Wednesday.
The officer is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. He made an initial court appearance Wednesday.
The prosecutor's office said the traveler — identified only by his initials M.N. — was injured in the attack.
It is unclear if Booker has an attorney.
CBP Director of Field Operations for San Diego Pete Flores said CBP is fully cooperating with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security's investigation.
"U.S. Customs and Border Protection stresses professionalism, honor and integrity in every aspect of our mission and does not tolerate actions by any employee that would tarnish the reputation of our agency," he said.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC 7 San Diego
