According to three sources familiar with the investigation, two high-ranking Border Patrol officials are currently being investigated for their involvement in a party hosted by a wealthy Mexican tequila maker. The tequila maker’s intention was to create a Border Patrol-branded tequila.
The Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility is currently investigating the relationship between distiller Francisco Javier González and Border Patrol chief Jason Owens, as well as Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol sector chief Gloria Chavez. The officials are being questioned about whether they disclosed their contact with a foreign national, which is a requirement for those with top security clearances, and whether they accepted anything that could potentially violate ethical rules.
In February, Owens and Chavez shared photos on social media of their visit to Jalisco, Mexico. One of the pictures showed them at Tequila Casa de los González, the distillery complex owned by González’s family.
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Their relationship goes back to at least July 2023 when González threw a party for Customs and Border Protection leadership in Laredo, Texas, according to two Department of Homeland Security officials. González comes from a prominent family in the tequila industry as he is the grandson of the founder of Don Julio tequila, a well-known international brand.
Two sources familiar with the investigation have revealed that González and the Border Patrol leaders had a discussion regarding the creation of a Border Patrol-branded tequila for the upcoming 100th anniversary celebration of the Border Patrol. The event is set to take place in El Paso, Texas, over several days later this month.
According to three sources, NBC News has learned that the Border Patrol tequila project has been put on hold due to the ongoing investigation by CBP.
The CBP spokesperson declined to comment on whether Owens and Chavez disclosed their contact with González or how they funded their trip to Mexico. Jalisco, a region renowned for its tequila industry, is a mere two-hour flight away from San Antonio, Texas.
According to a spokesperson from CBP, the agency has full confidence in its senior leaders and expects them to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. In line with their commitment to accountability, all allegations are thoroughly investigated and appropriate actions are taken to address any identified issues. CBP remains dedicated to reinforcing its standards at all levels.
According to Tom Warrick, a former DHS counterterrorism official who now directs the Future of DHS Project at the Atlantic Council think tank, CBP officials often maintain connections with local businesses. However, they are also cautious about the potential risks that can arise from such relationships. Warrick emphasizes that CBP maintains high standards of integrity and security, which is why even seemingly harmless pictures like this are treated seriously by CBP.
González and his company, Tequila Reserva de los González, did not provide any comments regarding Owens and Chavez, their visit to Jalisco, the Laredo party, or their plans for a Border Patrol tequila.
Border Patrol tequila is no longer available, but the agency is still getting ready for its 100th anniversary celebration in El Paso later this month. The schedule, which can be found online, features two golf tournaments, a parade, and a black-tie gala that will take place over several days in late May.
The event’s website features four sponsors, three of which are major contractors for CBP. These contractors have collectively been awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in government contracts.
The companies did not provide any comments despite being asked for their response.
Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting good government practices, expressed concern about the sponsorship in question. According to Brian, this situation raises numerous red flags regarding the appropriateness of government contractors hosting events for their public sector clients.
The nation’s largest law enforcement agency has been engulfed in a series of controversies over the past year and a half, and the latest allegations only add to the turmoil.
In January 2023, Tony Barker, the acting chief of law enforcement operations, unexpectedly stepped down following allegations of pressuring female employees for sexual favors.
In February 2024, Joel Martinez, the second in command of Border Patrol, retired following allegations of sexual misconduct with female employees. During the same month, a whistleblower report raised concerns about the chief medical officer of CBP attempting to procure fentanyl lollipops for a mission that involved providing security for the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York in the fall of 2023.
Julia Ainsley, an experienced correspondent for NBC News, specializes in reporting on the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department. Her expertise lies in investigative journalism, where she delves deep into the workings of these crucial government agencies.
Didi Martinez works as an associate producer for the NBC News Investigative Unit.
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