Seen this? The law matters!
Posted on 02/15/2007 1:37:43 PM PST by NormsRevenge
A former border inspector was sentenced Thursday to five years in federal prison for guiding hundreds of illegal immigrants through his checkpoint booth in exchange for taking at least $70,000 from a smuggling ring.
Michael Anthony Gilliland, a 44-year-old former Marine and 16-year border agent, pleaded guilty in September to letting illegal immigrants through San Diego's Otay Mesa port of entry in exchange for bribes.
Gilliland and five others coordinated smuggling operations and deliberately failed to record vehicles that ferried immigrants through border lanes under his supervision, according to court documents. He was arrested in June.
Four other co-conspirators have been sentenced to shorter prison terms their roles in the ring. A fifth co-conspirator, Aurora Torres Lopez, is scheduled to be sentenced later in the month.
Gilliland was also ordered to pay $200,000 in fines.
Prosecutors said Gilliland had taken between $70,000 and $120,000 from Torres and her group since 2004.
Wiretaps described in court documents recorded Gilliland, who worked the graveyard shift, speaking in code with Torres and another female accomplice about his schedule and how many immigrants would be coming through his lane.
Gilliland has been under house arrest, monitored by an electronic ankle bracelet, since posting $750,000 bond earlier this summer.
U.S. District Court Judge John A. Houston ordered Gilliland to surrender March 16.
Customs and Border Protection has seen a number of corruption cases recently.
Another San Diego border inspector, Richard Elizalda, pleaded guilty to one count of accepting bribes as a public official and two counts of bringing illegal aliens into the country for financial gain. Prosecutors said he sent text messages directing drivers to his inspection lane at the San Ysidro border crossing and then waved them through.
He faces up to 35 years in prison and $820,000 in fines.
"Weird idea, but lawyers are supposed to be officers of the court.
Shouldn't they have to give up their license as lawyers in order to run for non judicial posts?"
Under our current system of government yes I suppose they are.
But who says that is necessary? You're smart enough and I would guess, fair enough to sit in judgement (i.e. referee) any courtroom trial. The law is pretty black and white. If it's illegal to do such and such and someone is brought before a jury of their peers, it's real simple. Let a prosecutor be appointed and let the person defend himself. I know the legal begals will scream bloody murder over that concept, but why should I (or you) be subject to the financial whims of a special class of citizen?
Just my opinion of course, doesn't mean I necessarily think I'm right.
"Hardly a Conservative viewpoint, Newbie."
Yep that helps your argument.
Name calling
I'm not defending squat. Go back and read what I said
His defense should have included that he ran a part time landscaping company.
Now THIS guy should be put in the general population.
That would be 40 years or so ago, right around the time of woodstock.
And give the real 13th ammendment it's rightful place in the constitution while we're at it.
The newbie's incendiary remarks were removed...case closed.
The true 13th ammendment prohibited a member of the bar from holding office or voting.
Looks like the judas goat's remarks were also removed.
LOL!! How true!
No, I didn't miss that point at all, I'm counting on that being the reason. Our government has absolutely failed in its obligations and wants to eliminate the people whose job it is to protect our national sovereignty.
May I ping you to a thread showing the huge reductions in prosecuting illegal alien's employers by the present occupant of the White House?
A simple yes or no will do.
exactly, they cannot win.
No.
Damned if you STOP THEM, damned if you don't BUMP..
Seen this? The law matters!
Most of Congress should be swinging from short ropes. The are traitors.
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