Posted on 07/17/2007 7:55:33 AM PDT by Calpernia
(Washington, D.C.)...United States Congressman Duncan Hunter continues his pursuit of justice in the case of two border patrol agents that have been imprisoned. Hunter will attend and will testify for former agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean at a hearing to be held in Washington D.C.
The agents allegedly shot a fleeing drug smuggler in the buttocks. They were subsequently given sentences of 11 and 12 years in prison, while federal prosecutors granted the drug smuggler immunity to return to the United States and testify against the law enforcement officers. Hunter exclaimed:
"The circumstances of this case have outraged many Americans concerned with the problems of illegal immigration and drug-running from Mexico. I have and will continue to call for a full pardon from the President in this case."
In February 2005, the agents tried to stop a van driven by alleged drug smuggler Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila near the Mexico border. After a scuffle with Compean, Aldrete-Davila fled on foot. Ramos says he believes that he saw a gun, which the smuggler denies. Both agents fired at Aldrete-Davila who fell, then continued his escape across the border. After he got away Ramos and Compean filed a report on the 743-pounds of marijuana they found in the van, but not on the gunfire. As it turns out, Ramos had shot Aldrete-Davila in the buttocks. A Homeland Security agent heard about the episode went to Mexico and offered Aldrete-Davila immunity, if he would testify against Ramos and Compean.
U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, a Bush appointee, prosecuted the agents.
In March, a jury found them guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon discharge of a firearm during a violent crime, obstructing justice lying about the incident, and willfully violating Aldrete-Davila's Fourth Amendment right to be free from illegal seizure.
Because there was gunfire, the mandatory-minimum prison sentence the agents will serve is 10 years. The U.S. Probation Office in El Paso, Texas had recommended 20 years for each of the two agents.
Aldrete-Davila, who faces no charges, is believed to be considering a civil suit against the agents and the United States Government. It is believed that he will seek $5M for the violation of his civil rights.
Hunter's congressional district is in southern California near the border with Mexico. He has led the Congressional campaign for border security joined by dozens of his fellow members, and several activist groups, in calling for a full pardon for the duo.
White House spokesperson Tony Snow recently said he wanted "cooler heads" to prevail and "facts" to be presented in the flaring dispute over the sentences imposed on the two former agents.
Following a failed request, lead by Hunter, to keep Compean and Ramos free on bail pending their appeal, the former agents surrendered to federal custody on January 17, 2007. Hunter noted "The very day they surrendered to federal custody, I recommended that agents Compean and Ramos be segregated and was assured they would be removed from the general population and close attention was being paid to their personal safety. The attack against agent Ramos indicates concerns for his personal safety and protection were ignored."
Hunter sent a letter to the President asking for an investigation into the attack against agent Ramos. The letter also requested the discharge that Bureau of Prisons Director Harley Lappin if facts show him to be derelict in his administration of his duties.
Hunter, the only Republican Presidential Candidate expected to attend the upcoming hearing, has been in the forefront on the immigration issue.
He has led the way for tight border security and for extraditing the immigrants who are in this country illegally.
Know about what? Clinton, Zedillo and dual citizenship? It was broadcast on TV. That is the broadcast at my link.
Well, excuse me, I never saw it.
Ok.
I’m still waiting for Hannity to start including Hunter in his presidential polls. He keeps asking people, Between so and so and so, who do you support?
We all need to support Hunter with a check. Let’s put our money behind a real conservative.
“I’m still waiting for Hannity to start including Hunter in his presidential polls. He keeps asking people, Between so and so and so, who do you support?
We all need to support Hunter with a check. Let’s put our money behind a real conservative.”
Well, today Hannity mentioned Duncan Hunter’s name twice, because Hunter will attend the Freedom Concert in San Diego, one week from today. I’m looking forward to listening to it on the radio.
I sent Hunter a check, and wrote an editor’s letter about him, and next I will try to get on a talk show.
Bravo!
I’m sending him another check, have one bumper sticker so far, and I tell everyone I know about him. I’ll look for other opportunities.
I really think we have an opportunity to make a difference now. Later on, when all the king-makers are involved, it’ll be too late, and we’ll be stuck with whoever they annoint.
Bravo back at you. We grassroots folks can do a LOT!
In case you’re not on Hunter’s e-mail list:
“Congressman Duncan Hunter will be making a special appearance at the Hannity Freedom
concert on July 26 in San Diego.
Go to http://www.760kfmb.com/kfmb_info/hannity_freedom_concert/ for ticket and
concert information.
For those who will be attending the concert, we would love to have a great show of
support for Duncan Hunter for President in the audience. Please stop by our
headquarters in San Diego to get a Hunter for President t-shirt and/or cap!”
excerpt from my e-mail
Thanks. I wish I could go- wrong coast.
I’m glad Hunter is gonna be at the Freedom Concert, but every time Hannity introduces him, it is only as Congressman, and not as congressman and Republican presidential candidate. He had J.C. Watts on the radio last week and instead of asking him which nominee he likes, Hannity offered Watts 2 candidates plus one non-candidate to choose from, and said, “From these three, who do you like the best?” He doesn’t even allow his guests to entertain the rest of the field, or stick to those who have actually entered the race.
It is very frustrating!
Sorry. That should be candidate, not nominee.
I went to Hannity’s website, and he doesn’t even mention Hunter on it. ???
“It is very frustrating!”
It certainly is. We have our work cut out for us.
btw, I love your user name, and thought you might be interested in these pix:
http://www.cwcobgyn.com/images/4dpics_3.jpg
ULTRASOUND OF PREBORN BABY PIX
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/mware/18week125-1.jpg
18-week Old Fetus
I don’t know how to post actual pictures, but all you need to do is click on them.
Thank you. Now, if I can just get my printer to cooperate!
I hope Hunter wins here and for ‘08.
Me too, bump!
Good luck with your printer bump!
Everything.
“Since when do wetbacks have civil rights?”
Since God gave them to them.
Compean picked up his shell casings and disposed of them (destroying evidence). He then asked another agent to retrieve the ones he didn’t get (the ons in view of the other officers), who then disposed of those for him. All supervisors arrived after the shooting. An agent mentioned he heard shots but when asked by the supervisors what happened, both Ramos and Compean failed to mention any discharge of their weapons.
“If this is true then the supervisor was at fault for not following procedure, at worst the agents should be reprimanded for the same.”
It’s not, but the supervisors of that station should be fired for incompetence.
“The whole issue is that the federal gov’t backed the drug dealer to testify against the agents when he was committing a crime.”
At the time all the agents new about the perp is that he tried to flee. The drugs weren’t discovered in the van until after the shooting. The federal government didn’t back the drug bdealer, they backed the rule of law.
On the other hand, if you think it is okay that any and every law enforcement officer (Ruby Ridge? Waco?) should have the authority of judge, jury and hangman, your comment would make sense.
Keep in mind Hillary might have the entire FBI, DEA, BATF, Border Patrol and Justice Dept. at her fingertips soon. You think things are bad now, wait till that witch gets her hands on some hired guns.
““Since when do wetbacks have civil rights?”
Since God gave them to them.”
I don’t know if you are series or not.
I personally am aware of some commandments God issued but have yet to learn of any “rights” ... that seems to have been left up to lawmakers, judges, Kings, etc. in individual countries. They seem to vary from country to country in my observations and experiences over the years. And differ for “residents” and “visitors” as well as further distinction between legal and illegal.
Our founding fathers believed some rights to be “unalienable”, given to man by God that no King could take away.
I’m pretty certain God wasn’t just talking about Americans.
You break into my house, you give up your rights as I defend my sovereignty.
I understand where you are coming from - one world in peace - and I have no problem with that dream. It’s not reality however.
You break into my house - you can discuss the philosophical ramifications with your maker.
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