Let’s Not Forget Border Patrol Agents Ramos & Compean
Duncan Hunter continued to advocate for the wrongfully (IMHO) convicted border patrol agents this week…
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 Mr. Ramos.
“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, 2005, 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.
(The Bulletin)
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Prsident Bush should have given them a pardon a long time ago.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:03 pmDitto
I hope Bush is not waiting till the end of his presidency to free those guys……they deserve back pay plus a million bucks each and a huge apology…..
April 9th, 2008 at 7:12 pmIf everything I’ve read about this is true these guys should be out on bail yesterday awaiting the results of their appeal. This is messed up.
April 9th, 2008 at 7:47 pmYeah what a way to treat two servants of America. They need to be freed right now.
April 9th, 2008 at 8:30 pmThese two patriots need to be pardoned tomorrow
April 9th, 2008 at 10:22 pmMaybe we need to take a different strateegery against Johnny Sutton, the prosecutor.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:06 amIf being for the closing of borders, and the deportation of all of those who are not here legally makes me a racist against hispanics; maybe we need to have Johnny Sutton prosecuted for a hate crime for being a bigot. He did prosecute two men with hispanic last names. Why didn’t he go after a white guy? The fuckin’ bigot!! He didn’t even yell “allah akbar” before he shafted these brave men, what the fuck is wrong with him? How are we supposed to recognize our enemy if the don’t yell the proper phrases?
Press on Reps Hunter and Rohrabacher and thankyou. And in the mean time….
April 10th, 2008 at 6:11 amHasn’t this dope smuggling Davila been busted for more offenses at the border? Last I heard he’d been caught for another offense and spoken to very harshly.
With every year that passes… and every generation that gets dumb and dumber, the only people we can thank for this INJUSTICE is the American public that serve on juries throughout the country, that were victims of the “Liberal” education system now in place in every city, in every state throughout our nation.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:31 amAgents Compean and Ramos should be freed ASAP. Why is it taking Preident Bush so long? A trite phrase but; a travesty of justice is underway.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:39 amGod blesss the men and women who attempt to protect our borders. Notice I said attempt. Why does the Federal Gov. worry about everybody else’s borders and pay not enough attention to our own?
And yes, Rep. Hunter and Rohrabacher thank you for doing the right thing.
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.). my congressman and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) are two stand up guys. I’m truly saddened that Hunter’s bid for Pres. didn’t go anywhere. I hope they can achieve some measure of justice for Ramos and Compean.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:25 amOne thing I dont like that President Bush has done!! Or has not done!!
April 10th, 2008 at 3:02 pmbush aint gonna do shit on this one..
April 15th, 2008 at 9:47 am