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How cozy was Border Patrol with smuggler?
WorldNetDaily.com ^ | February 12, 2007 | Jerome Corsi

Posted on 02/12/2007 1:35:42 AM PST by Man50D

The Border Patrol agent with family ties to the Mexican drug smuggler in the case of two jailed border agents may have been involved in back-channel communications with Mexican drug cartels, investigative reports obtained by WND suggest, prompting calls for a special prosecutor to look into the charges.

"We now know that DHS and prosecutor U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton found [smuggler Osbaldo] Aldrete-Davila because the mother-in-law of Border Patrol Agent Rene Sanchez talked with Aldrete-Davila's mother on the phone," Andy Ramirez, chairman of the Friends of the Border Patrol, told WND. "How many other conversations in Mexico did Border Patrol Agent Rene Sanchez have and what was the purpose of those conversations?"

An investigative report filed by Department of Homeland Security Special Agent Christopher Sanchez on July 18, 2005, stated that on July 11, 2005, the DHS Office of Inspector General in El Paso spoke to Agent Rene Sanchez in the Wilcox, Ariz., BP Station, concerning a telephone call Sanchez made to Border Patrol Agent Nolan Blanchett in the Ysleta BP Station in Texas.

At the time of the phone call, Blanchett was temporarily assigned to the Fabens BP Station, the scene of the Feb. 17, 2005, incident with Aldrete-Davila that led to the imprisonment of agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean.

According to the July 18, 2005, DHS memorandum of activity:

(Rene) Sanchez stated that he called Blanchett one or two days after he spoke to DHS OIG on March 5, 2005. Sanchez said he asked Blanchett if he knew anything about a shooting that occurred on February 17, 2005 involving a van loaded with dope in which BP agents shot at the driver. Sanchez said Blanchett told him he knew nothing about the shooting.

A separate March 14, 2005, DHS memorandum of activity filed by Christopher Sanchez, documents that agent Rene Sanchez "queried the Border Patrol Tracking System and found that the Fabens Border Patrol Station seized a load of marijuana on February 17, 2005."

These reports drew the suspicion of Ramirez.

"Why is this Border Patrol Agent Rene Sanchez over in Wilcox, Arizona, so interested in searching out this drug bust information in Fabens, Texas?" Ramirez asked WND. "Sure, we know that Aldrete-Davila and Rene Sanchez grew up together in Mexico. But how much more to the story is there than that?"

WND has learned that prosecutor Sutton's office took steps to prevent Agent Nolan Blanchett from testifying in open court, claiming that Blanchett's testimony would compromise an ongoing investigation.

WND has also learned that Blanchett had received phone calls from BP Agent Rene Sanchez tipping Blanchett off that a sensor hit was about to take place on the border, giving advance warning that a drug-smuggling transport across the border was going to take place. Knowing in advance the when and where of a sensor hit on the border would allow a Border Patrol agent to be in position to interdict the drug shipment and arrest the smuggler.

"How do we know that Agent Rene Sanchez wasn't working with Aldrete-Davila's drug cartel?" Ramirez asked. "Calling Blanchett in advance and letting him know where to interdict a drug shipment might be a good way to eliminate the competition of Aldrete-Davila or whomever he is linked to."

At the Ramos-Compean trial, the defense was not allowed to call Border Patrol Blanchett to the stand for testimony.

"The connection is a little bit too convenient," Ramirez pointed out to WND. "Here we have this Border Patrol Agent Rene Sanchez over in Wilcox, Ariz., and the only way DHS and Johnny Sutton's office find out that Aldrete-Davila was the drug smuggler is because Rene Sanchez tips them off. Then Aldrete-Davila gets immunity and medical care from the prosecutor. Just how closely was Rene Sanchez working with the drug smuggler and what did Rene Sanchez stand to gain when Aldrete-Davila got immunity?"

WND has previously reported Aldrete-Davila's cell phone was found in the abandoned vehicle. This directly contradicts prosecutor Sutton's repeated claim that there was no evidence at the scene, which would have permitted law-enforcement investigators to identify Aldrete-Davila as the perpetrator.

"Where is Aldrete-Davila's telephone?" Ramirez asked WND. "I wonder if Rene Sanchez's phone number was one of the numbers in that phone's memory, or maybe others of higher ranks inside U.S. government agencies or bodies. But then again, what if this guy is a runner for the Tucson Mafia and I am not referring to people of European ancestry either. Why is it that even today nobody knows what network of people Aldrete-Davila called? Why isn't Johnny Sutton going after the drug dealer's network? He gave Davila immunity, not the people Davila liked to call."

WND has obtained the transcripts from the Ramos-Compean trial for the testimony given by Border Patrol Agent Arturo Vasquez on Feb. 24, 2006, and by Agent Oscar Juarez on Feb. 23 and 24, 2006. Both agents gave testimony about the drug dealer's cell phone they found on the scene on Feb. 17, 2005.

Vasquez testified he found the phone in the front seat of the abandoned drug smuggler's Ford Econoline van, with a charging device plugged into the cigarette lighter.

In cross-examination by defense, Vasquez testified about the cell phone as follows:

Q: While you're looking at the phone, you're scrolling through whatever information you can find? A: Yes.

Q: Did you notice whether or not any of the calls are recent?

A: I didn't have the chance to find what I was looking for. I didn't have enough time to get into some of the directory, the actual directory where you can get that information from. Because, while we were going that (Supervisor) Agent (Jonathan) Richards and Lance (Mendrano) got to the area and I had to hand the phone over to Agent Mendrano.

Q: I thought your testimony, though, was tat was, pretty much, all you do is check out the phone.

A: Yes, but I didn't get to the part where I could actually see times and all that.

At this point, prosecutor Debra Kanof interrupted and objected that the testimony was not relevant to the guilt or innocence of Ramos and Compean. Judge Kathleen Cardone agreed, commenting, "It's late on a Friday ... ."

Judge Cardone ruled out cross-examination about the cell phone, stating: "Mr. Aldrete-Davila is not on trial. And everybody knows he's got a phone and everybody knows he was transporting the drugs, but, unless we're getting somewhere that's got to do with this case, I'm concerned we're going of ... ." At that point, Judge Cardone was interrupted once again by Debra Kanof.

On page 186 of his testimony, Agent Juarez corroborated Agent Vasquez's testimony that the drug smuggler's cell phone was found in the abandoned van containing 743 pounds of marijuana.

WND is unable to determine who currently has possession of the cell phone or if any law-enforcement officers made any attempt to identify the owner or the identify of the names in the incoming and outgoing call memory, or the service provider records of the same.

As far as WND can determine, no law-enforcement agency made any attempt to identify Aldrete-Davila's drug network or associates from the recovered cell phone, or if agents were able to determine if the phone records indicate any calls to or received from Border Patrol agents or others connected with U.S. agencies or law enforcement.

As WND previously reported, Agent Vasquez was fired by the Border Patrol and Agent Juarez resigned in anticipation of being fired.


TOPICS: Conspiracy
KEYWORDS: aliens; borderagents; borderpatrol; buildit; bushbasherhideout; compean; fence; frobls; immigrantlist; ramos; renesanchez; wall; yahoos
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To: CharlesWayneCT

Hello Mr. Cover-up!

What do shills eat for breakfast?


81 posted on 02/12/2007 9:51:45 AM PST by editor-surveyor
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To: CharlesWayneCT

The DHS report, like any liar in court, has no remaining credibility.


82 posted on 02/12/2007 9:54:55 AM PST by editor-surveyor
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To: The Spirit Of Allegiance

Yes, ignore the report that discusses the evidence, it's better for the defense to listen to the people at a rally for the defense.


83 posted on 02/12/2007 9:54:59 AM PST by CharlesWayneCT
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To: editor-surveyor

Well, actually, I believe the Earth revolves on its axis, giving the impression that the Sun is rising in the East.

But that's beside the point. Your real point is well taken. Some of Sutton's actions give the appearance of someone on the take big time.


84 posted on 02/12/2007 9:56:15 AM PST by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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To: Xenalyte

From what I understand is Rene Sanchez told him exactly what to say and what the investigators would want to hear.


85 posted on 02/12/2007 9:56:37 AM PST by panthermom (Duncan Hunter 2008!)
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To: editor-surveyor
The DHS report, like any liar in court, has no remaining credibility.

Meaning, of course, that you haven't read it.

86 posted on 02/12/2007 9:58:47 AM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: The Spirit Of Allegiance; AmishDude; MikefromOhio

Don't mean to burst your bubble, but Corsi is also one of the people spreading around the North American Union conspiracy garbage. Find me this info from a much more credible source, and I'll read it.


87 posted on 02/12/2007 9:59:40 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Duncan Hunter: Hope of America)
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To: CharlesWayneCT
WND is written by people with an agenda

Probably true, but I would not discount the possibility that the authors or the individuals supplying the information for the DHS report of having an agenda also.

88 posted on 02/12/2007 10:03:42 AM PST by WesternPacific
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To: 1rudeboy; WesternPacific
"When their contentions are proven to be incorrect..."

That is something that has not yet happened on any major story in over ten years; isn't it time you shut up with your deception.

89 posted on 02/12/2007 10:04:10 AM PST by editor-surveyor
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To: Hacksaw

No, when that came up I said that there was probably truth to the story, but that I didn't believe he was beaten to within an inch of his life and then denied any medical care.

Later stories said his injuries were minor. Then Tancredo said the bruises looked real bad. I still don't know what the truth is, although I've been told that health care in prison sucks, and I don't have any proof that is an incorrect statement.

My statement about WND's report on the prison beating was that it was entirely based on the 3rd-hand account of the father-in-law.


90 posted on 02/12/2007 10:04:32 AM PST by CharlesWayneCT
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To: CharlesWayneCT
In his original statement, he said he thought it was a gun...

No, Chucky... See page 62. His first statement was:

"We tumbled and wrestled for a little bit. I got some dirt in my eyes and he got up and started running south towards Mexico. When he was running south he was pointing something shiny with his left hand. It looked like a gun. This is when I started shooting."
91 posted on 02/12/2007 10:05:56 AM PST by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: CharlesWayneCT
Just reading along here, trying to determine why you take such a hard line and why you'd consider a DHS report as sacrosanct.

But for the record:

"The report then says that in this initial interview, Compean claimed he thought Davila had a gun, but that, (he) later recanted his original statement by stating he was "never really certain" that Aldrete-Davila had a gun."

[1] There is no contradiction between "thought he had..." and "Never really certain (he had)"
And:
[2] I spent just enough time around the government agency/investigative business to have no problem at all in doubting the "facts" presented by any agency - in print or in court.

92 posted on 02/12/2007 10:07:47 AM PST by norton
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To: CharlesWayneCT; WesternPacific
"WND is written by people with an agenda"

Yes, definately. The agenda is to get the facts out where the people can judge them, and all here can see how that seems to alarm your kind.

93 posted on 02/12/2007 10:08:59 AM PST by editor-surveyor
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To: savedbygrace
"Well, actually, I believe the Earth revolves on its axis, giving the impression that the Sun is rising in the East"

Heh, heh, been lurking on crevo threads again, huh?

94 posted on 02/12/2007 10:11:19 AM PST by editor-surveyor
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To: CharlesWayneCT; Tolerance Sucks Rocks; Liz; Iam1ru1-2

I have no bubble to burst. I want the truth.

"There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men." -- Edmund Burke

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? -- Jeremiah 17:9

For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. -- Luke 6:44


95 posted on 02/12/2007 10:11:55 AM PST by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
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To: Bryan24

I don't know how they judge when a person is too close to a case to be involved. I'm still not entirely clear whether it is Rene Sanchez, or Chris Sanchez, that are accused of knowing the guy when he was a child. I know that it was Rene's mother that new Davila's mother, and that it was Rene that reported the shooting, but Rene wasn't the investigator.

Chris was the investigator, he might have known the guy when he was 7 years old? The DHS report indicates that a different investigator tried to call Davilas on the phone, and held the official post-immunity interview; Chris may have been used because Davilas was comfortable with him and Chris spoke spanish, to transport Davilas around. I don't know.

There's no indication that Chris's involvement, or Rene's involvement, caused Compean and Ramos to tell conflicting stories, to shoot an unarmed man in the butt, to cover their tracks, to ask others to cover up the shooting, to fail to report the shooting, or to change their stories over time while talking to investigators (compean; ramos apparently stayed quiet).

Nor is there any indication that either Sanchez testified in court, or that they had anything to do with the testimony of others in court. Chris Sanchez DID have possession of the bullet for a night, but since the defense stipulated that the bullet was Ramos's bullet, that fact has absolutely no bearing on the case.


96 posted on 02/12/2007 10:13:47 AM PST by CharlesWayneCT
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To: editor-surveyor

I had two pancakes, orange juice, and a small link sausage.

THanks for asking.

Sorry you couldn't add anything of value to the discussion.


97 posted on 02/12/2007 10:14:57 AM PST by CharlesWayneCT
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To: CharlesWayneCT
" to shoot an unarmed man in the butt"

You just can't stop lying, can you?

98 posted on 02/12/2007 10:17:10 AM PST by editor-surveyor
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To: CharlesWayneCT
My concern with the DHS report is that I do not know what evidence, if any, has been withheld or not allowed to be brought forward. I am skeptical of individuals or government officials within our government who seem to have an agenda or possibly a hidden agenda. It doesn't matter how many times a person reads and or studies the DHS report, if information is purposely left out of the report then that person will not be able to makes a valid judgment concerning the report without some reservations.

Maybe I'm a little paranoid, but our government has shown itself to be not fully forthcoming at times.

99 posted on 02/12/2007 10:17:47 AM PST by WesternPacific
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To: WesternPacific
"Maybe I'm a little paranoid, but our government has shown itself to be not fully forthcoming at times."

And you have a gift for understatement at times... ;o)

100 posted on 02/12/2007 10:20:06 AM PST by editor-surveyor
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