Posted on 04/04/2008 6:52:46 AM PDT by jmc813
Two California congressmen are renewing their efforts to ensure the safety of two jailed border patrol agents by encouraging the Bureau of Prisons to move Ignacio Ramos, 37, and Jose Alonso Compean, 28, to a minimum security facility. On Wednesday, Harley Lappin, Bureau of Prisons director for the federal government, visited the Phoenix facility currently housing the two agents.
"If agents Ramos and Compean must continue serving their sentences, then they should be moved to a minimum security facility where they will not be threatened and under such restrictive conditions," stated Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.). Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) is also joining in Mr. Hunter's efforts to remove the agents from the Phoenix security facility.
Messrs. Ramos and Compean's troubles began on Feb. 15, 2007, when, while on duty, Mr. Compean spotted Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila, an illegal immigrant, behaving in a suspicious manner. (It would later be discovered that Mr. Aldrete-Davila was attempting to smuggle 800 pounds of marijuana into the country.) Mr. Compean ordered Mr. Aldrete-Davila to stop, but a chase ensued.
Mr. Compean called for backup, which drew seven additional units, including Mr. Ramos. Upon arriving at the scene, Mr. Ramos heard gunfire and saw Mr. Compean struggling with Mr. Aldrete-Davila. Mr. Compean was bleeding on the ground and Mr. Ramos ordered Mr. Aldrete-Davila to stop, an order he disobeyed. Both agents feared for their lives, and when a shiny object was spotted in Mr. Aldrete-Davila's hand, shots were fired, and the illegal immigrant was hit in the buttocks.
Mr. Aldrete-Davila escaped that night, but Messrs. Compean and Ramos were not as fortunate, as the U.S. attorney charged the agents for shooting the narcotics-smuggling immigrant. Mr. Aldrete-Davila was given immunity for his testimony against the agents and the government even footed the bill to pay for his treatment.
Both agents were convicted, with Mr. Compean receiving a 12-year sentence and Mr. Ramos an 11-year sentence.
"After 14 months of enduring the harsh conditions of solitary confinement, Mr. Lappin should do the right thing and exercise his authority to move the agents into more humane conditions," stated Mr. Rohrabacher. "They are effectively serving a double sentence for an unjust conviction that may very well be overturned."
Because of security threats from Hispanic inmates imprisoned with the two agents, Messrs. Compean and Ramos were segregated from the general prison population and must remain in their cells for 23 hours a day. Thus, they are not afforded basic privileges of telephone use, daily showers and television access.
"In my conversation with Director Lappin ... I asked that he review the status of agent Ramos and consider his transfer," Mr. Hunter stated. "Director Lappin assured me that he would personally meet with agent Ramos and review his situation, as well as the events that led to his incarceration. I look forward to talking with Director Lappin ... and further discussing the prospects of moving agents Ramos and Compean to a minimum security facility."
When contacted about the matter, Traci Billingsley, a spokesperson from the Bureau of Prisons, stated it was against Bureau policy to comment on such matters and Messrs. Ramos and Compean would be treated like any other inmates.
Why hasn’t the appeals court ruled yet? It was supposed to be around Christmas.
I will not vote for MCcain unless Ramos and Compean are freed now.
screw the republican Party. Screw Mccain, Screw Bush,
F-em...F-em all.
I hear McCain has Vicente Fox on his short list for head of Homeland Security. Bush reccomended him.
The drug cartel well let you know when the border agents may be released ...our pols bought and paid for.
Bush pardons multiple drug dealers over the years while our brave border patrol men are left to rot.
bttt
BTTT
I'm starting to smell a rat here. I think that they're hoping if they delay long enough people will forget about it and they can uphold the original trial verdict. Disgraceful!
This article fudges the facts and leaves out any mention of the cover up, failure to report, destruction of evidence or obstruction of justice, but, I agree these ex-officers should be moved to a facility where they don’t have to be kept in their cells 23 hours a day.
PING!
RAMOS/COMPEAN Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on or off this list.
BTW, what if anything has the Golden-Tongued Anointed One, aka Algonquin J. Obama, had to say about all of this?
Some appeals take longer than others.
As can be seen by comparing the case #’s (which appear to have been issued chronologically), R&C’s case is
taking longer than most, but there are others cases now closing that have Case #’s issued before Ramos.
http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/Opinions.aspx?View=Last7
For reference, here is the Ramos case #:
US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
USA v. Ramos 06-51489
Thanks for the ping.
Glad to see my congressman, Rohrabacher, doing something other than surfing for a change. It’s just too damn bad that Bush continues to sit on his hands. Prediction: R&C’s case will be reversed on appeal. And the sooner, the better!
See #13... it's not that unusual for appeals to take this long.
Given the fact there were multiple complex issues, I think the slowness of the process may be good news. But then, I'm an optimist. LOL
It’s not safe in the federal prisons.
UPDATED: FBI probing deadly prison riot[between Chicanos & Mexicans]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1993351/posts
Donations to the families of Compean and Ramos seem to me a positive way to let Bush know what we think of his conduct in this matter.
Why do I get the sick feeling nothing will be done for them until after Jorge Bush leaves office.
The President's quick response to keep Libby out of jail and his slow response to aid these two agents is shameful. My guess is that Johnny Sutton, who has the President's ear gave him a distorted version of the Ramos-Compean incident, just as he spun the “facts” to the press. The President is loyal to his cronies and stubborn; two traits which, I feel, will taint his legacy over time.
Bob J, the diehard defender of the indefensible.
I hope Bush and Vicente Fox fill your food bowl with extra Alpo.
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