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Former Immigration Official Arrested In Tampa

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By CARLOS MONCADA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

Updated: 11/17/2007 04:08 pm

TAMPA - A former immigration enforcement agent employed at MacDill Air Force Base was arrested in Tampa Friday night in connection with the rape of a 39-year-old Jamaican detainee, according to records and published reports.

Wilfredo Vazquez, 35, is accused of sexually assaulting the mother of two at his Tamarac home, in Broward County, on Sept. 21, the Miami Herald reported in today's edition, citing a criminal complaint filed Friday in Miami federal court.

Vazquez worked for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for less than a year was on rotation with an unidentified military reserve unit at MacDill, the Herald reported.

Vazquez was being held Saturday without bond at Orient Road Jail, Hillsborough County arrest records showed. He is scheduled to make his first appearance in Tampa federal court on Monday, said Steve Cole, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa.

Cole said Saturday he could not comment on the case because it is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.

Vazquez was fired from the immigration agency shortly after the allegation was lodged against him, Miami-based spokeswoman Barbara Gonzalez said in a statement released late Friday.

"We fully examine all allegations of misconduct to ensure that swift corrective action is taken when appropriate,'' according to the statement.

Gonzalez declined to comment Saturday beyond what was in the statement. A public affairs officer at MacDill was unavailable.

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com.

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com.

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