Cochise officials investigating 2 Minutemen

Arizona Daily Star ^

[Kokojmudd]

Illegal entrant taped holding 'caught' T-shirt By Michael Marizco ARIZONA DAILY STAR

PALOMINAS - Cochise County officials said they are investigating two Minuteman volunteers after an illegal entrant complained Wednesday to authorities that he was held against his will.

One of the men paid the illegal entrant $20 and gave him a T-shirt to hold up while he filmed the encounter. The T-shirt read: "Bryan Barton Caught an Illegal Alien and all I got was this T-shirt," said Carol Capas, spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff's Department.

It's the first encounter where an illegal entrant has filed a complaint against Minuteman Project volunteers since the monthlong controversial protest started Friday. Volunteers have gathered in Southern Arizona to protest what they said is the federal government's inability to control the border.

Critics said the encounter is the first sign that the Minuteman Project is a "sham" meant to humiliate illegal entrants.

The incident started Wednesday afternoon when Barton, 24, and a second Minuteman volunteer encountered the illegal entrant on Arizona 92 near Palominas, Capas said.

Barton said he gave the man the T-shirt and $20 plus food and water. Then he filmed the man holding up the T-shirt.

The volunteers then called the Border Patrol, which sent agents to pick up the entrant. Once in custody, the entrant complained about being held by the volunteers.

"It was supposed to be funny," Barton said about the encounter.

Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever didn't think so.

"We have no time or patience for anyone attempting to turn this situation into a three-ring circus," he said.

The Cochise County Attorney's Office is also investigating the complaint.

Barton, who is running for Congress in San Diego on the Republican ticket, said he's not worried about charges being filed and that he never held the man against his will.

He said deputies seized the video for evidence. No arrests have been made in the incident.

"This shows what we've been saying all along," said Jennifer Allen, director of the Border Action Network.

"It was nothing but a media sham to mislead the public," she said. "Clearly they misrepresented the situation. They misrepresented themselves."

Minuteman Project organizers Chris Simcox and James Gilchrist could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

● Contact Michael Marizco at 573-4213 or mmarizco@azstarnet.com.

[odoso]

"So, the dilemma. What do we call the folks who do not care to shoot down people at the border?"

My original post was simply a HYPERBOLE! - for "Stop the illegal entry until a suitable and acceptable plan, to the American people, can be devised, implemented and then executed in an orderly fashion."

So, the dilemma is how do we get our Republic back from the Socialists who have gained control of it?

[muawiyah]

Hey, all you gotta' do is get them registered and the rest is history.

Illegals can be a great natural resource, particularly those who own businesses and employ Americans.

It's only half the illegals who come from Mexico.

[Tired of Taxes]

I see absolutely nothing wrong with what these two guys did, "Minutemen" or not. Nothing wrong with humiliating someone sneaking into the country.

And then they paid the guy $20 and gave him food and water. He made out well for the day. My guess is, he's not giving the money back...

[Orange1998]

Sure it makes sense. I was asking Ben Ficken why he supported the post removed by moderator. If it was not removed I would have requested it be removed.

[TexConfederate1861]

D*mn right I am...provided that they are illegal.

[Spiff]

Barton is the suit-wearing, 25-year-old that showed up and inserted himself in the Minuteman Project. He brought along his campaign signs, a big bullhorn, and tried to act like he was somebody. He had his own camera crew following him around half the time. I met many people who were put off by the guy's behavior and were wary of him. If the guy had bothered to read the Minuteman Project Standard Operating Procedures he would never have done what he did. I'm absolutely sure that if his reported behavior is confirmed by the Project's organizers, this guy will be "86'd" - that is, kicked out of the Project and sent packing.

[ClintonBeGone]

Do you support odoso's call for shootings?

[TexConfederate1861]

No...not at all. But if we can't get this illegal immigration problem under control, then maybe what is needed, are minefields, electrified fences, and armed guards. This is a real problem. Those of us who live in Texas, see it everyday.

[Orange1998]

"Illegals can be a great natural resource, particularly those who own businesses and employ Americans."

OH MY! Spoken like a true liberal.

[L98Fiero]

"Lets start with "It reflects poorly on this website to have particular members advocating murder". Make sense?"

I think you are talking to a wall, bud. I have seen more than I care to on FR this morning regarding this subject.

I do not wish to be a part of any web-forum where members openly advocate murder.

There are a lot of good members here but it seems as of late the raving loons are the loudest. Not something I wish to be a part of. Cheers.

[Orange1998]

Maybe this guy is emulating Jesse Jackson.

[harrowup]

"What do we call the folks who do not care to shoot down people at the border?"
If your country is being invaded and your government is only putting up token resistance? Then the answer to your question would be "Stupid".

Ah, another irrational response from a bigot to a bigot.

[hgro]

Rule number one, never offend a lawbreaker, he might sue you. Thee are always ambulance chasing lawyers who will take his case.

[BTHOtu]

As a fellow Texan and former Combat Engineer, I would support fencing and minefields along our border. I cannot support a "shoot first and ask questions later" approach. This is a tremendous problem that requires level headed thinking.

[Spiff]

He was expecting the glare of the spotlights. Look at this, he was filming a reality show at the time. Obviously he needed something "funny" for the cameras.

The following is from the VoteBarton.com website:

Bryan Barton, 25, is the youngest congressional candidate. His goal is to represent the third youngest congressional district in the United States, the 53rd district of California. Bryan Barton is a newspaper publisher, an entrepreneur, and a recent graduate of the University of California San Diego where he majored in political science. But Bryan Barton isn't only the youngest candidate, he is the most real candidate. In fact, Bryan Barton is documenting the process of running for congress on video for a reality television show tentatively titled Vote Barton. While candidates running for political office are always looking out for their image, hiding behind their "official" representatives, and ducking public criticism, Bryan Barton is not afraid of the fact that he is a real person. He makes mistakes, he laughs, and wakes up late on Saturdays. The only difference is he wants to represent you and is devoted to serving the 53rd district.

Organizers should have never let this punk into the project. It is obvious that he misrepresented himself.
Barton is the smarmy looking punk on the right.

[hoosierboy]

Did they put panties on his head?

[jamaly]

If the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT doesn't like it, maybe he should GO BACK WHERE HE CAME FROM. What part of ILLEGAL don't these people understand?

[odoso]

"Do you support odoso's call for shootings?" In regard to this question posed to you by ClintonBeGone, aka: The spineless, socialist Coward, see my post #61

Peace.

[DumpsterDiver]

I'm not so sure this guy didn't expect a great deal of attention.

He probably wanted the free publicity for his upcoming campaign.

"Barton, who is running for Congress in San Diego on the Republican ticket, said he's not worried about charges being filed and that he never held the man against his will.

[Eagle of Liberty]

Hey Everyone,

Please fight the urge from arguing with ClintonBeGone. Every thread that has been started having anything to do with the MinuteMen, he is front and center stirring stuff up.

He is extremely PRO-OPEN BORDER. Ignore him.