The man, who works in Douglas, was caught with three illegal immigrants in his car, a federal complaint says.

GABRIELA RICO

An Arizona prison guard is in federal custody, charged with smuggling illegal immigrants, and has admitted involvement in a smuggling organization, according to federal court records.

U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped Richard Frank Acosta, 51, late Thursday on Highway 191 near Elfrida, about 25 miles north of Douglas. Three illegal immigrants were with him, the federal complaint states.

When he was stopped, Acosta first told agents the passengers were relatives and U.S. citizens, but he soon admitted that they were illegal immigrants from Mexico, the complaint states.

The Department of Corrections officer also admitted that he was involved with a smuggling organization and that he kept illegal immigrants at his home for money, the complaint states.

DOC spokeswoman Cam Hunter confirmed Acosta is an officer at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Douglas.

One of his passengers, who is being held as a material witness, told agents he had paid $3,500 to smugglers and was to pay $1,500 more when he got to New York state.

Another passenger, who also is being held, told agents he was to pay $1,600 in Phoenix. A third passenger was returned to Mexico, said Andy Adame, spokesman for the Border Patrol's Tucson sector.

Department of Corrections' disciplinary action will be determined after an internal investigation, Hunter said.