The situation in which Wilkinson finds himself is notable not only because he was purportedly involved in a sexual relationship with the illegal immigrant but also because the woman may be his niece.

CBP first learned in April 2025 that Elva Edith Garcia-Vallejo, who entered the United States on a nonimmigrant visa in 2023, was living with Wilkinson and her child in Laredo, Texas, according to the criminal complaint as reported by the Guardian. She later overstayed her visa. Wilkinson was aware of her unlawful status and even helped her cross through Border Patrol checkpoints along the southern border.

Last May, CBP received word that Garcia-Vallejo may be Wilkinson’s niece because the CBP supervisor listed her father as his brother in a 2023 background investigation. No evidence has been presented suggesting the lovers are related by blood or a relative’s marriage.

When law enforcement interviewed her earlier this month, the woman admitted she had been living with her uncle since August 2024, per the complaint.

During the course of their relationship, Wilkinson provided her financial support through “housing, credit cards, assistance with financial obligations and access to vehicle registered in his name,” the U.S. attorney’s office said.

Wilkinson was promoted to CBP supervisor in 2021 after working at the federal agency for 20 years before that, according to federal prosecutors. His duties included enforcing customs and immigration laws, which he allegedly broke.

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The press release says the defendant had a detention hearing set for Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian Bajew. It’s unclear if he entered a plea yet.

If convicted, Wilkinson faces up to a decade in prison and a possible $250,000 fine for allegedly harboring the illegal immigrant.