Tragedy on our Border: Part I

On February 17, 2005, US Border Patrol agents Jose Compean & Ignacio Ramos began their day of patrol as always: Protecting their section of our border.

Later in the shift, Compean investigated a tripped sensor near one section of the river bank. He found footprints and drag marks, which is an indicator of drug smuggling. It was at this point that Compean notices the fleeing van of Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila, an illegal alien, drug smuggler and admitted felon.

When Aldrete-Davila noticed he had been caught, he turned his van around and headed back towards the river. Once he exited the van, Compean ordered him to stop, which Aldrete-Davila ignored. After a physical struggle which leaves Compean's face bloody, Aldrete-Davila flees for the river and Mexico. It is at this point that the smuggler turns to his side as he flees and points a shiny object at officer Compean, who in turn begins firing his weapon. Ramos now arrives on the scene and orders the fleeing smuggler to stop. After seeing Aldrete-Davila turn once again to his side, this time pointing at Ramos, Ramos unloads one round.

It appears that the officers have missed their target (but they will find out later that one round struck Aldrete-Davila in the buttocks) as Aldrete-Davila disappears down the river bank and into Mexico.

Now, this is where the case gets ridiculous. Aldrete-Davila is able to contact a US Attorney (John Sutton) through another Border Patrol agent (Rene Sanchez) to which members of his family are acquainted with. He is then, for some unknown and ridiculous reason, able to get criminal charges posted against the two officers. In the end, John Sutton believed the testimony of the illegal alien drug smuggler rather than two veteran law enforcement officers.

On March 8, 2006, a Federal Jury convicted the two agents of assault with serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, discharge of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and civil rights violations. But that verdict is in question as well. They began serving their sentence on January 7, 2007 in El Paso, TX.

Interesting points to note:

• Ramos and Compean are now serving 11 and 12 year sentences.
• 3 of the 12 jurors submitted sworn affidavits stating that they had been "misled into believing that there could be no dissent in the decision of the jury, and that the minority would have to accede to the will of the majority.
• Aldrete-Davila claims he has shot from behind while fleeing, yet his single wound is on the left side of his buttocks with the bullet lodging in his right side. This means his side was to the officers, just like Compean and Ramos claim, not his back.
• In his van, there was over 800 pounds of marijuana, worth about $1 million.
• When asked why the smuggler wasn't being prosecuted, Sutton says that because of Ramos' and Compean's actions...Yet, he admits that Aldrete-Davila's van was found with a that large quantity of marijuana.
• Aldrete-Davila is now suing the US Government (and it's taxpayers) for $5 million to compensate him for the "hardships" he has endured and violation of his "rights."

I'm sorry, but when did illegal drug smugglers get American rights? There is so much wrong with this story, and it has those within our country (who are legal) up in arms. The case is now awaiting appeal, but the now officers sit in prison, waiting and hoping. Ramos was recently brutally beaten in his cell when inmates recognized him as a law enforcement officer.

What do we do? Call your representatives and the White House to have these men pardoned and get the real criminal behind bars. I say we should also get rid of this US Attorney who thought this would be a grand idea. I vow to begin calling every Monday on our radio show, "Right for a Reason," on 88.7 WNHU (www.wnhu.net). You too can call the Capital switchboard at 202-225-3121 to contact your congressman, or email the White House at comments@whitehouse.gov. Lets get them away from debating on whether or not to cut support for our troops overseas and on this important domestic issue that concerns our borders and it's protectors.

As always, I am interested in your viewpoints.

Stay tuned for Part II.