Marquez's Former Promoter in a Deep Legal Bind

By Mark Vester

In a story that was largely overlooked, serious charges are moving forward against Jaime Sergio Quintana, the one-time adviser and co-promoter of Juan Manuel and Rafael Marquez. Quintana promoted events through his Romanza Boxing company. Quintana and Ricardo Manuel Cordero were indicted in December on allegations that the two conspired together to smuggle undocumented immigrants from Mexico. Prosecutors allege Quintana received payment from the undocumented immigrants to help them cross into the U.S. with the assistance of Cordero, who is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.

According to the El Paso Times, FBI Special Agent Jesus Lowenberg, with Customs and Border Protection's Internal Affairs, testified that Cordero had admitted helping smuggle undocumented immigrants into the U.S. but denied receiving any payment for his assistance. Agents used a confidential informant to approach Quintana about smuggling an undocumented family member into the U.S. in late September. Lowenberg also testified that agents recorded several conversations between Quintana, Cordero and the informant, and tapped Quintana's Mexican cell phone.