Nice dramatics. You cause Global Warming.
They picked up their casings and lied about it.
The sentence may be severe, but the conviction is justified.
In my book picking up your shellcasings is at most a ministerial fault. It's certainly not the sort of thing to use to prosecute a couple of Border Patrol guys in a narcotics case where it's clear they didn't steal the loot.
Unless that plug-ugly US Attorney can come up with some evidence that the Border Patrol guys were stealing the loot, I have to conclude that her ONLY interest in this case is her boyfriend (somewhere) in the business. She should be watched carefully ~ as should the judge. Corruption in these drug-related cases is known, and in particular near Mexican border crossing situations.
Is this one of Ernesto's girls? Can't believe a macho guy like him can leave the staff alone (wink, wink).