Bethel Park police lieutenant accused of transporting illegal immigrant
BETHEL PARK, Pa. (KDKA) — Federal prosecutors say a Bethel Park police lieutenant is charged with transporting an illegal immigrant.
He appeared in court for the first time Thursday afternoon after the FBI took him into custody.
According to federal court documents, 59-year-old Blake Babin transported or attempted to transport an illegal immigrant to help them remain in the country illegally from Oct. 20, 2022, to Dec. 30, 2022.
Bethel Park Police Chief Timothy O'Connor said Babin is on administrative leave with pay. The department is aware Babin is charged with a federal crime but declined to comment due to it being a personnel matter. Babin has worked for the municipality since 1990 and is in charge of patrol, traffic officers and the dispatch center.
In court Thursday, Babin pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.
Babin is free after a judge set an unsecured bond of $10,000, pending specific conditions like failing to appear at future court appearances.
The judge said he had to turn in his police weapon and cannot have access to his personal firearms. Babin also cannot have any form of contact with the illegal immigrant or any witnesses in the case.
KDKA-TV went to his house in Bethel Park and caught him getting in his car. KDKA-TV asked if he would talk but he said he had no comment.
In the meantime, one neighbor shared that he saw FBI agents at Babin's home earlier in the day, and multiple neighbors told KDKA-TV Babin is a great guy.
KDKA-TV reached out to the mayor and the council president but has not heard back at this time.
The council vice president told KDKA-TV he was shocked by the news but said it is too premature to give a comment. The solicitor also told KDKA-TV he is not able to discuss this matter right now.
Both the U.S. attorney in court, nor Babin's attorney, commented after the hearing.
The trial will last about six days. It will be going to Judge Robert Colville, who is currently presiding over the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial, so it could be some time before it happens.