Padres minor-league pitcher Humberto Cruz has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of receiving money in exchange for transporting undocumented immigrants within the United States, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.Â
In a plea agreement, Cruz said that it’s a “virtual certainty” that he’ll be deported as a non-U.S. citizen due to this case. Per the Union-Tribune, “it is the Padres’ understanding” that Cruz has lost his work visa for 10 years, though it’s possible he could reapply in five years. The team placed him on the restricted list on March 13.
Cruz, 19, was ranked as the Padres’ fifth-best prospect heading into this season by MLB.com but is now facing a situation that could end his baseball career. He signed for $750,000 in February of 2024 out of Mexico and has undergone Tommy John surgery. In his limited time in the minors, he’s pitched to a 7.20 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 40 innings.Â
Cruz was arrested Oct. 28 in Arizona near the border with Mexico after, per the report, Border Patrol agents noticed his car heading toward the border with just the driver and then, shortly after, heading back from the border with two extra passengers.Â
From the San Diego Union-Tribune:
Suspecting that the driver might be transporting undocumented immigrants, Border Patrol agents conducted a traffic stop and soon determined Cruz’s two passengers were Mexican citizens in the U.S. without documentation. One of the men in the SUV had been removed from the U.S. through an Arizona border crossing by immigration officials just four days earlier, according to the court document.
Cruz waived his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with the agents, telling them that he responded to a social media advertisement offering “easy money” for driving people, according to the complaint. According to the complaint, he told the agents he knew “they were illegal” and expected to be paid $1,000 for every person he picked up and transported.
Cruz was initially charged with a felony, but that charge was dismissed under a plea agreement. He released a lengthy statement through the Padres, who otherwise have declined to comment on the situation.
“To my teammates, the organization, our fans, and my family, I want to express my sincere regret for a recent lapse in judgment that has caused disappointment to many people I deeply respect. I understand that my actions have fallen short of the standards expected of me as a professional and as a representative of this organization. I take responsibility for my conduct and recognize the impact it has had on my teammates, the club, and those who support us. To my teammates and coaches, I apologize for becoming a distraction and for not upholding the level of professionalism you deserve,” Cruz said.Â
“To the fans, I am sorry for letting you down and for failing to meet the trust placed in me. Your support means a great deal, and I regret not honoring it in the way I should have. To my family, I am grateful for your continued support and understanding during this difficult time. I regret the stress and disappointment this situation has caused. I am committed to reflecting on this moment, learning from it, and taking the appropriate steps to move forward in a positive and responsible manner. I will cooperate fully with the organization and any steps required of me, as I remain focused on personal growth and accountability. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with support and honesty. I understand that trust must be earned, and I am prepared to do that through my actions going forward.”
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