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.
Ping
ping
I heard the prosecuting attorney and he made some interesting arguments.
The agents are not in jail for doing their job but because:
1) The officers shot then tried to cover it up.
2) Because of their attempted coverup they had no case against the mexican drug smuggler.
If this is true, then it sheds a different light on this case- Does anyone else know more about it?
ping
BTTT
Gotta respect this man ... Someone good and right from CALIFORNIA ... there are a few of us here amongst the fruits and nuts. :-)
I’ve heard that argument; but it didn’t appear to be the exact story when I read the transcripts that were posted on WND.
“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.”
Since when do wetbacks have civil rights?
BTT!
bump
Your headline makes it sound like he's against it.
From memory - I don’t think there was a cover-up, I think the proper paper work was not submitted after the incident despite supervisors on scene. If this is true then the supervisor was at fault for not following procedure, at worst the agents should be reprimanded for the same. The whole issue is that the federal gov’t backed the drug dealer to testify against the agents when he was committing a crime.
The whole thing smells.
BTW DH is risking his entire candidacy on R&C. He has read the transcripts and believes that they are innocent of the level of crime which they have been convicted.
Sutton has a propensity for prosecuting law enforcement for excessive force when illegals are involved.
I understand that this morning there is a Senate Judiciary meeting being held looking into the prosecution of these agents. My Senator, John Cornyn, in the meeting is law and order but he especially wants to look into this matter.
These agents do not need to be where they are.
>>>Since when do wetbacks have civil rights?
Say thank you to Clinton and Zedillo
http://justwhatithink.com/blog/zedilloandclinton.html
Drug smuggling wetbacks. Some greedy plaintiffs lawyer is licking his chops over this one. The slime rises to the top. 99% of all lawyers give the other 1% a bad name.
I couldn’t fit the whole headline in the posting space provided.
Illegal immigrants do not have any US Civil Rights. But it is common these days to misuse the therm "civil rights" as though it were synonymous with "human rights."
Civil rights are those rights granted to citizens. In other words, they are privileges. Referring to them as "rights" is purely metaphorical (a usage I detest.)
Human rights are those rights that all humans have at all times and in all places. There is no need to "grant" them. They are not privileges. The US Constitution recongizes them, and requires that the government respect them. But it does not grant them.
And just think about it
If the smuggler sues and wins the money will be immediately taken to Mehico where the smuggler can start his own drug business and not have to smuggle for someone else.
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