Agents Deserve Pardon

The Hutchinson News ^ | 1/06/09 | SHEILA YOUNG

[kathsua]

When President Bush failed to pardon border agents Ramos and Compean on Nov. 24, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher issued a press release expressing his disappointment that while drug dealers and embezzlers were pardoned, these wrongly convicted agents were neglected, despite the pleas of Americans. Congressman Tom Tancredo responded that he and many other congressmen have pleaded repeatedly for their pardon. The agents' prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, said they were justly convicted for shooting an unarmed, fleeing man and covering it up. A closer look at the case reveals something different.

When the agents interdicted drug-smuggler Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila, he refused their commands to stop; instead, he turned and aimed what appeared to be a gun at them. They shot in self-defense. Davila ran across the border with no evidence of injury. Officers began processing the abandoned million-dollar drug load. Failure of a written report on the discharge of a firearm is at most, a five-day suspension, according to T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council.

The agents were prosecuted for violating Davila's civil rights, while Davila was granted blanket immunity to testify against them. All evidence of Davila's repeat criminal activities, including prior history of drug smuggling, was withheld from the jury. Special Agent Christopher Sanchez testified that only Davila, Ramos and Compean knew if he was armed or not; the doctor who treated Davila testified that the angle of the injury was not consistent with Davila running away but of a bladed stance position - pointing an object at someone.

Prosecutor Kanof told the agents that they were being vigorously prosecuted "because it is not the border patrol's job to pursue and catch drug smugglers." Davila's $5 million lawsuit against the Border Patrol is still ongoing.

Theirs is the latest in a pattern of prosecutions against federal officers who apprehend narcotics smugglers and human traffickers; the first was prosecuted early in the Bush administration. In every case, the U.S. Justice Department gave cash, immunity from prosecution and other incentives to the smugglers to testify against the officers for violating their rights: All officers were imprisoned on the word of the criminals.

According to Andy Ramirez, chairman of Friends of the Border Patrol, these cases should be thoroughly investigated and congressional hearings conducted. Congressmen Rohrabacher, Bilbray and Poe agreed that the betrayal of our law enforcement officers proves that the president is out of sync with the national security policies of the United States, sending a dangerous message to the world that our borders are open to criminals and terrorists.

Border agents : 1/6/2009 http://www.americanfreedomriders.com/GarysStory.html The story of former agent Gary Brugman, who suffered a similar fate to that of agents Ramos and Compean, will open your eyes. More information on the Ramos/Compean case can be found on agentramos.com and on Congressman Dana Rohrabacher's website. Sheila Young

This case smells : 1/6/2009 Who investigates the possibility of Justice Department employees taking payoffs from drug dealers? This case smells like corruption, possibly including the judge. It sounds like these agents made the mistake of catching a drug dealer who had friends who could find a way to get him off. The prosecution is designed to send a message to others not to attempt to arrest drug smugglers. reasonmclucus

corruption in high places : 1/6/2009 One sentence that was edited out of my letter was a statement I wrote concerning Congressman Rohrabacher's suspicion that the prosecution of the agents lay in the upper echelons of the Bush administration. Why did the U.S. Attorney's office decide to prosecute the agents under 924c of the criminal code-- which adds a mandatory 10 years for the use of a gun during a crime-- This was never intended for, and never used, against law enforcement officers during the commission of a crime before this case--OFFICERS are supposed to be armed while on duty-- but now, these agents are in prison for a dozen years in solitary confinement. There are just too many questions: why didn't the Justice department extradite the murderer of border agent Aguilar--who was murdered in 2008 by a Mexican drug-smuggler? The murderer was in jail for five months in Mexico, then set free because the U.S. Justice department showed no interest in extraditing and prosecuting him. Whoever is behind this corruption must be in a very high echelon of government. They are enriching the Mexican drug cartels. Sheila Young

[kathsua]

If this were a movie, the hero would be the maverick agent attempting to find out who in the government was "on the take" as they say on cop shows.

[machogirl]

killing the country from the inside and out

[LallyG]

Yes, I smell something fishy going on. Pres. Bush appointed Sutton as U.S. Attorney, so I doubt he’ll pardon them. I have e-mailed and e-mailed the White House/ Pres. without success. There seem to be certain smugglers who are immune to being prosecuted here, no matter what they do. This is another area of our government where corruption needs to be cleaned up.

[QBFimi]

I heard that slimebag prosecuting attorney being interviewed on Sean Hannity. Not impressed. Peter Boyles on KHOW 630 replayed it and ranted for a good hour.

What about it, Sr. Jorge Bush lovers - why not try calling the White House and asking for a pardon?

[red irish]

There is really something dirty about the way the border agents have been treated. I am so glad to see Bush go,towards the end I found him to be irritating. Now for the new king,Obama,hope I don’t have to say I wish we had Bush back. Pray,pray,pray.

[Ajnin]

Failure of a written report on the discharge of a firearm is at most, a five-day suspension

We need to get this straight, there is no requirement in Border Patrol Policy to do a written report over the discharge of a service weapon. According to United States Border Patrol policy on the discharge of a service weapon while on duty an oral report must be given to a supervisor within one hour of the incident.

[Eva]

I heard on the radio that the WA State fed attorney was bringing charges against a Blackwater guard for killing an Iraqi security guard. I know nothing about the case, but it sounds like a good candidate for a pardon, too.

[yorkie01]

The Bush presidents were/are all too often out of touch with real America. The border drug problem were put out of business by President Reagan when he sent the lesbian Griselda Blanco, also known as la Madrina, the Godmother, the Black Widow and the Cocaine Queen of Miami, was a drug lord, packing in the 80’s. Since then the mexican border has become wide open.

[ZULU]

More than any other one single incident, this case demonstrates Bush II is an enemy of the American people.

[bcsco]

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[machogirl]

to pardon those who are dealers and not those who protect our borders, what a legacy

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Sorry, only drug smugglers get pardons. It helps if they’re illegal aliens. US Marines and Border Patrol agents get prosecuted for doing their jobs. The Bush Administration is a wonderful thing (not that Hussein will be any better).