Posted on 07/17/2007 7:55:33 AM PDT by Calpernia
Thanks for the ping.
UPDATE:
For immediate release:
July 17, 2007
Hunter testifies for border patrol agents
California Congressman seeks full pardon for Ramos and Compean
(Washington, D. C.).....United States Congressman Duncan Hunter took his fight to the nation’s capitol today (July 17) to convince President Bush to pardon two border patrol agents he feels were unjustly imprisoned.
Hunter appeared before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Terrorism
Technology and Homeland Security.
The California Congressman testified that he strongly supports a Presidential pardon of former agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean because, “there is absolutely no justification for such unfair and excessive prison sentences.”
The incident dates back to February 2005, when the agents tried to stop a van driven by alleged drug smuggler Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila near the Mexico border. According to court documents, a scuffle ensued between agent Compean and suspect Aldrete-Davila. The suspect broke loose and fled on foot.
Agent Ramos says he believes that he saw a gun, a fact contradicted by the suspect. Both agents reportedly fired at Aldrete-Davila, who fell, then continued his escape across the border.
Later, Ramos and Compean filed their official report listing the 743-pounds of marijuana they found in the van, but failed to mention the gunfire.
A Homeland Security agent apparently heard about the episode and traveled to Mexico. According to court documents, the Homeland Security agent offered
Aldrete-Davila immunity, if he would testify against Ramos and Compean.
In his testimony today, Hunter took offense to that arrangement. “The U.S. government sadly decided to side with the drug dealer and prosecute agents Compean and Ramos for simply fulfilling their duties as border patrolmen.
The drug smuggler walked away from the incident with only a wound in his rear-end, and the opportunity to attempt another drug run.”
Hunter continued, “The men and women of the border patrol are certainly not above the laws they are empowered to enforce, but, they must also know that when they apply the necessary and appropriate level of force, their government will not work aggressively to ensure they are punished while lawlessness is rewarded.”
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. Hunter reemphasized his belief that, “there is absolutely no justification for such unfair and excessive prison sentences.”
Hunter’s congressional district is in southern California near the border with Mexico. He told the members of the subcommittee, “I represent the border communities, and have for more than 26-years. I have worked with the fine men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol to ensure they receive the support and resources they need to address the constant intrusion of drug and human smugglers across our borders. It troubles me to think that questionable testimony by a drug smuggler, who was granted immunity and free medical care for his cooperation, was put before the two border patrol agents who willingly accepted this inherently dangerous responsibility.”
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.”
On February 6, 2007, Hunter wrote to the President requesting that an investigation be conducted into the attack against agent Ramos. The letter also requested that Bureau of Prisons Director Harley Lappin be discharged from his position should it be ascertained that the proper precautions were not taken.
Hunter concluded his testimony by emphasizing his belief that “Pardoning agents Compean and Ramos is the only option available to correct this terrible injustice and, just as importantly, restoring the confidence of the border patrol and the American people that their nation is serious about enforcing its immigration and smuggling laws.” Hunter has said when elected president, his first order of business will be to pardon the agents.
Hunter has led the national campaign for border security and
immigration reform. He has been joined by scores of his fellow members, and several activist groups. He was the only Republican Presidential Candidate to attend Tuesday’s hearing.
Observers believe that the subcommittee members sought Hunter’s testimony because of his long fight for a more secure border, and his legislative initiatives. Hunter drafted legislation that was signed by the President to construct over 800 miles of fence on the southern border. Only a few miles of fencing have been completed. Hunter has charged that the department of Homeland Security has the money and the mandate, but “the administration has a ‘case of the slows’ in getting the fence built.” He has pledged that “he will see that the fence is up within six month after he takes office as President.
Update, hot off the press
Do you think anything will come from his testimony? Where are the trumpeters of injustice in the media who can’t wait to expose this type of story? Especially as it could make President Bush look bad. You would think that the drive by media would be hot on this story. Makes a person wonder, doesn’t it?
>>>Where are the trumpeters of injustice in the media who can’t wait to expose this type of story?
I can say for a fact, they alllll know about it.
Yes they do so why bury it? Is it because they are all pro illegal immigration and don’t want to call attention to it?
That is why we are doing the Net reach. We have to keep pounding them.
Good! It not only will be good for Hunter, but Ramos and Compean need to get let out of that hell hole. Can you imagine what their families are going through? and what they think of their government? The whole thing is shameful!!!
I hope I never imagine what their families are going through.
Are you in the office now? I have a question.
How cool could your head be with it shoved up your butt, Tony?
Cooler heads are for technicalities. There are humans suffering here.
Bump
Snow makes me sick. He always seemed like a serious man with a conscience. I don’t know what happened to this guy.
Too bad Ramos and Compean were one of us little people and not a DC attorney or lobbyist...
Sleep well, GW. Compassionate conservative my ass...
Tony is doing precisely what he is paid to do.
He is the White House mouthpiece.
Just watched it! Boy, do we ever need him for president!
..his entire candidacy could be ruined on this issue—but he is certain that they should be pardoned—and I agree...
How is it ruined on this issue? I would think that it would help him or do the people out in the country want those two to rot in jail?
I didn’t get a chance to watch this hearing. I was hoping that they would call DHS stooges to testify why they lied under oath in congressional testimony about Compean & Ramos. I guess that was not on the agenda today. Maybe the House hearing will subpoena DHS, at least.
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