Reps. Ed Royce (at podium) and Dana Rohrabacher (far left).
Reps. Dana Rohrabacher and Ed Royce are among a group of lawmakers who today sent a letter to President Bush’s pardon attorney, hoping to convince the president in his last days in office to commute the sentences of jailed ex-border patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.
Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, organized a news conference today to unveil the letter the lawmakers sent to Ronald Rogers, Bush’s pardon attorney. Compean’s sister, Claudia Martinez, lives in Huntington Beach.
It’s customary for an outgoing president to give pardons and commute sentences just before leaving office.
“Ramos and Compean have been living in the torture of solitary confinement for almost two years for something they never should have been prosecuted for in the first place,” said Rohrabacher. “We are pleading with the Pardon Attorney to make a favorable recommendation of commutation to the President so he can finally do the right thing by these men and their families. “Mr. President, don’t leave Ramos and Compean behind as you leave the White House.”
The two were convicted of illegally shooting a fleeing drug dealer at the Mexico-Texas border in 2006. They were also found guilty of covering up the incident.
Rohrabacher, Royce, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and other lawmakers have been speaking out ever since the two were imprisoned. Their sentences were 11 and 12 years.
“It is incomprehensible to me that an illegal alien drug smuggler was allowed to violate his immunity agreement, be granted a series of unlimited visas to roam free, and continue his drug smuggling in our country, while two border patrol agents were given excessive prison sentences,” said Royce. R-Fullerton.
if they don’t pardon these two, it would be huge disgrace and a HUGE setback for law enforcement in general. goodbye civilized society, hello, lawlessness
There should be a pardon, but I would not count on it because these are just two regular old Americans working for a living. If they were investment bankers or brokers you could count on them getting a pardon.
This incident should have been handled ADMINISTRATIVELY and any discipline meted out ADMINISTRATIVELY. The treatment by our Justice Department of these two border agents is a disgrace! People who commit horrific crimes (like dope dealing) get lighter punishment than they got. Pardon them and give them their jobs back if they want them, though why they would is beyond me.
This whole fiasco has and continues to be a joke! Bush had BETTER pardon these two American heros and I hope when he does, both those families sue the government for millions! They deserve no less after all our ‘government’ (and I use the term loosely) has so wrongly done to them! It’s ALWAYS the illegals who get away with murder while our heroes get the shaft from the very government who hired them to do that job in the first place! RIDICULOUS is the understatement of the century!
There should be no pardon, a pardon will show the rule of law is being thrown out. These two former agents, lied and covered up a shooting, I would never want them on any police force ever again.
Next time finish the job guys.
The real question is why the prosecutor covered up the facts?. He was appointed by the bush administration, And a close friend of GW.
It would be an embarassment to bush and his apponited clonies to release these guys.
“It is incomprehensible to me that an illegal alien drug smuggler was allowed to violate his immunity agreement, be granted a series of unlimited visas to roam free, and continue his drug smuggling in our country, while two border patrol agents were given excessive prison sentences,” said Royce. R-Fullerton
let them stay in prison they “ILLEGALLY SHOT A DRYG DEALER TRYING TO FLEE THE COUNTRY” the man wasnt putting their life in danger he was just running away ! dont kill the guy , those lazy fat border agents should have chased after him ! they even tried to cover it up !! MORONS !!! i would have given them 30 years
To adam:
Do you even know the ENTIRE story about these two border patrol agents? I find it very hard to believe you can make a statement like you did unless this is the first time you’ve heard about Ramos and Compean.
Like Sharpe says, this whole thing should have been handled internally by the US Border Patrol Agency. Don’t tell me that this is the first time you’ve heard of a law enforcement agency trying to “cover up” an incident. In case you don’t know, the fleeing illigal border crossing DRUG-DEALER sustained non-life threatning injury. To be more specific, he got shot in the ass.
I would rather have these two employeed in my police department rather than that A-Hole Carona.
Pardon these guys. Its a shame its gone on so long.
This would be about the only thing I would agree with Mr. Rohrbacher and Mr. Royce on. This would be a wonderful parting gift from the President. These two agents should be pardoned and never should have been jailed in the first place.
The only thing these two did that was wrong was not reporting that they shot at this guy. Other than that, they did nothing wrong and for them to be sitting in jail for it is a total disgrace. Pardon them and throw the illegal drug dealer in solitary confinement for 11 years!
sure! They only shot an unarmed man in the back and then tried to cover it up… they deserve medals! GROW UP PEOPLE
Why should they be pardoned? THEY BROKE THE LAW. They were found GUILTY by a jury of their PEERS. Just because they are law enforcement agents in uniform and the other guy was an illegal drug smuggler doesn’t mean that they get a blank check to do whatever they want.
If there was any possibility about their innocence, then at least one of the 12 members of the jury would have said something about it.
“the only thing they did wrong was not reporting that they shot this guy.”
gee, hope you say that when it’s your kid they kill “by mistake.”
that’s an “only?” and oh yeah… the guy who’s dead? only a drug dealer… could have been a kid who came over to play soccer like they all do… but that’s ok, it was their luck it was only a drug dealer… no harm no foul.
You’re despicable in your “pick and choose” of when DEATH is ok.
Drug dealer or illegal alien; they broke the law - commute the sentences to five each and let them do their time.
Adam, David, Jim - You need a one way pass to south of the border. Go boys, GO!
Bush pardoning these two agents, why would he start doing the right thing now……good riddence Jorge! Unfortunately, Obama has even more affinity for the Mexican people and thier “plight” so don’t expect anything from him either…the whole thing is a travesty.
Now THAT would be a worthy pardon for a departing Prez, as opposed to all the 320 slimeballs Clinton pardoned on his way out.
And no, the guy didn’t die. He got shot in the butt as he was evading arrest.
I repeat: he was evading arrest. People get shot evading arrest.
Let them free, give them back their jobs.
Don’t see why they should be let free. They shot at a man who was not posing a considerable threat and was actually running away. He wasn’t running towards them with a gun. They shot at him. How can you shoot at an unarmed man and be excused for it?
It would be like catching a drug dealer in downtown LA in the middle of a transaction, telling him to get up against a wall with hands and arms spread, then shooting at him if he doesn’t comply. No justification.
These agents deserve justice for their crime but not the sentence they were handed.
The drug dealing illegal waste of cells is in prison and upon release should be put across the border and told that if he ever is caught back in this country he will never see the light of day again.
Obviously they show a commitment to this country since they’re hispanics themselves. I say our country needs to show commitment to them and let them go free.
The guys have more than paid for their mistakes.
Bush doesn’t have the nuggets to pardon these two agents. What a pitty.
Bush will be remember by this pardon. I may be the only good thing he has done during his time in office.
the border patrol should shoot first and ask questions later on all illegal immigrants.
Law enforcement should be held to a higher standard and if these guys did nothing wrong, than why did they try to cover it up? Wrong is wrong and you can’t give special treatment to those that are suppose to up hold the laws. These two were given an opportunity to take a lesser crime but thought that they would roll the dice, that no one would fault them for shooting a drug dealer even after they were told that if they were found guilty that they would have a minimum sentence of Ten years. Stop all the non-sense, they were found guilty by a jury that evaluated the evidence and found that they were in the wrong.
FREE THEM, BECAUSE THEY DID NOTHING WRONG.
IT IS SHAMEFUL, that a low life is free, and rewarded for his bad behavior. Absolutely disgusting that these two men had to spend even one night in jail.
†
Justice will be served when our agents are free.
Bush is a tool. Worst president ever. What was the story about?
I thought the United States of America was in a “War On Drugs.”
If this was in Iraq and this guy had been a member of the Towel-i-ban fleeing with a bomb, and he got shot by two US solders, the two US solders would be medal-toting heroes… no matter which direction the Towel-i-ban man was fleeing, and which end he got shot in.
The drugs this known smuggler had brought in to this country before he got shot in the @$$, and the drugs he has smuggled in since with the aid of our own country is on our streets. These smugglers and dealers have killed the sons and daughters of my friends, and have greatly affected the lives of some of my family members. These two INS agents are heroes for shooting at him while he was fleeing the scene of a crime… a war crime, seeing this is the “War On Drugs.” They were doing their job; and my only regret [and theirs] is that they didn’t do it better.
Our leaders give these heroes an impossible task. They were issued guns to use against this threat, and they used them accordingly. They didn’t shoot at kids on a school playground, or fire openly at their former employees. They didn’t even shoot at their ex-wife’s new boyfriend who now lives in their house. They shot at a criminal committing a crime, while on duty… as per their job… to protect us.
How can this be an “Illegal Shooting” at a time of War: the War On Drugs. It should never have been categorized to where any one needed to cover it up in the first place. But they did. So give them 6 months desk duty and a $500 fine, then congratulate them for capturing a wanted criminal, alive. Not 12 years in prison. What kind of a message does this send to the rest of our protectors? What kind of message does this send to our enemies?
The only message their incarceration sends is that our country’s true guardians have no power to protect us. The smugglers now know this, and they will step up their charge in the absence of any real threat to stopping them. And while we’re in this generous mood, why don’t we also pave some of the dirt trails in the desert that they use for smuggling? We don’t want to send mixed messages, do we? This way the drugs will arrive on our community streets faster, and in better condition.
Simpson: You know nothing about this story. They were convicted solely on the testimony of the illegal alien, who was given immunity to testify, then subsequently was arrested again on drug charges before Ramos and Campean were even tried.
Some jurors in the original case publicly stated they wish they could recant their verdict.
Something just doesn’t smell right.
This is a hard call. They were wrong by not reporting it and there never would have been a trial. I do not think this guy would have come back and said “that was me”. If he did, he would be in jail now and not getting a free ride and tax payers money. The charges should remain but in the spirit of the Holiday a reduction in time, as time served. I do not think I would like them on my City’s Police Force only because they didn’t do the paper work and we not forth coming.
Bush is a complete incompetent jerk. Why would he do anything that makes any sense? While the economy implodes, they are focused on cutting back the Endangered Species Act as a final slap in the face to the country and the world. Since he is “tough” on crime, don’t expect justice.
They should send Bush to Cuba for “enhanced interrogation” to see if he really works for al-Qaeda.
Where do I sign the petition to exonerate these two patriots?
When did it become OK to shoot someone in the back. Cover up the shooting. Then, lie to authorities? Ohhh… I know when. When it’s a Mexican who was killed. They’re not human… right?
Lock ‘em up as an example to others in authority to remind them it’s a privilage to wear a badge and UPHOLD the law!
D. Woods,
When did we take the word of a drug smuggler over a cop. Are we to believe a drug smuggler with a van FULL of drugs isn’t packing a gun? PLEASE! Of course he had a gun.
AND they didn’t know they actually HIT the guy. He never stopped running.
they killed a human being and lied about it. why should they be pardoned. Are you people saying that mexican’s are not human and can be shot and killed for drug offenses .right !
Bush will probably pardon them!
Bush,
Do 1 thing right before you go.
Pardon these agents, their conviction is a slap in the face to all Americans.
What has our country come to? Why in the world would you arrest and convict these federal agents? It is pathetic and sickening to see injustice being misplaced and misdirected for political reasons. The lack of common sense shows that the appointed Bush AG for this Texas office is a reflection of his failures. I am so disgusted with this case.
D.Woods, Illegal immigrants do not belong in our Country! Also it is illegal to cross our borders and it is also illegal to smuggle illegal drugs to sell to our children. These agents have served long enough, and they are not the criminals here, the illegal drug smuggler is the criminal. The illegal immigrant drug smuggler was also the witness against these two agents. Give me a freakin break! The jury took the illegal immigrant drug smugglers word. President Bush needs to release these two agents immediately.
Bush will only pardon his wealth friends. Why would he pardon two agents trying to keep illegal criminals from entering our country? That would fly in the face of his larger plan, to flood the country with indigent, uneducated peasants who will work for practically nothing under the table while stealing billions from the hardworking taxpayer. No, Bush will pardon only those like Scooter Libby who was found guilty by a jury of 12 and had his prison sentence commuted immediately after trial so he wouldn’t have to go to the big house. Bush will protect the interests of his good bud, Johnny Sutton, who prosecuted Ramos and Compean. A pardon would make Johnny look bad and could hurt his political opportunities in the future.
Dragon- Get your story right. No one was killed, the Officers shot the illegal drug smuggler in the BUTT, he’s alive and well and stll selling drugs in our Country.
FACT: This “poor hispanic” was a known drug smuggler in possession of over 700 pounds of dope.
FACT: He physically resisted lawful arrest and was fleeing the scene of the arrest.
FACT: Drug smuggling is a major and serious felony warranting the use of force up to and including deadly force to prevent the escape of this prisoner who physically assaulted the officers trying to lawfully detain him (at the time of the arrest, the officers did not know whether he had a firearm or not). This is to protect society from a fleeing felon.
FACT: The arrest, prosecution and imprisonment of these two agents is completely politically motivated. Had these officers simply filled out the necessary paperwork nothing (absolutely nothing) would have happened. These officers are guilty of laziness for not filling out the federal paperwork - nothing more.
FACT: Our beloved country is being invaded -via- our Southern border. Those who object to this invasion are labeled racist whether the label is warranted or not.
This Politically Correct subterfuge is intended to camouflage the invasion of our country by non-productive illiterates until it is too late to do anything about it thus giving the Democrats perpetual votes to keep them in power.
FACT: Nothing absolutely NOTHING will be done about this invasion by illiterate hispanics because there is power and money to be derived from them by the politicians.
Hmmm. Wondering why the Founding Fathers didn’t give the President the power to do something forgiving but short of a pardon. Why did they set up only an all-or-nothing deal?
It would be too much to pardon these two agents, IMO, but they didn’t deserve the 11- and 12-year sentences either. Would be nice if the Prez had a third choice of shortening their prison time or something.
But then again it takes something like this to make people realize the straight-jacket nature of the federal sentencing guidelines.
God these simple minded folks that like to bash Ramos and Compean have got to be either Government stooges or Open Borders advocates that ingore how those two agents were railroaded by Johnny Sutton under direct orders from Jorge Boosh and his former AG accomplice just to break the morale of the Border Patrol.
Bush should be the one in prison for him ruining the Republican Party and blowing the balance of power in the Congress and putting this nation in the hands of Comrade Obama and his ilk like Hitlery Clinton.
I have my doubts about the collective intelligence of the voting public this election.
A well-deserved “Thank You” is due Congressmen Rohrbacher, Royce,Tancredo, and Senator Feinstein ,and the many other political governors from all parties, for their lasting resolve to encourage the commutation and pardon of USBP agents Ramos and Compean.
These members of Congress are “standing their ground” in the spirit of our Founding Fathers and our nation’s electorate. They gladden my heart.
Jim Gilchrist, Founder and President, The Minuteman Project, Inc.
what you need to do is start at the basics:
1. Demand from the unified school districts of why they allow illegal parents to send their illegal born children speaking spanish to our schools, They need warm bodies for business!!.
2. call ICE on all these landscapers who are hiring the illegals in the fist place start at Ladera Ranch. Also Target, Walmart. Santa Ana Government offices.
3. We the people of California should set up a team of lawyers to take on groups like ACLU. Santa Ana city, ect.. Any group or officels that advocate for illegals.
Demand law inforcement to protect the people by checking all jails for illegals and deporting them right away.
4. put your time and money where your mouth is join groups like minute men to combat illegals and advocates.
protest at Santa Ana welfare offices to stop the hand out of welfare and food stamps to non-citizens.
We need to send a message to Bush and all the rest of the rich idiots that could not care less about the fact our towns and neighbourhoods are being distroyed by crime, and low lives that are a direct result from the import of mexican people who belong in a third world country and not a developed one!!
Stop hiring these people then they will not have the time or the shelter to stay here have kids and the results are orange high school all 2nd decent mexicans and a huge drop out and teenage preganancy problem.
Rohrabacher and Royce need to focus on real issues. Who cares about immigration? It is not a true issue. The economy however…. now that is a real issue. Keep the two liars locked up. may they set an example the rest of them.
KILL ALL MEXICANS
GW better pardon them or i will never pardon him.
John
P.S. I even voted for Bush twice.
really where do you live zatya?
The enonomy has taken such a hit in all the left wing states because of the PC attitude that we need to feed and house and hospitalize immigrants and of course mostly from mexico!! This state is going under because hard working people are being taxed to death to suport all the loser’s. i can not continue a business here because i am being taxed to death. I was in hosptial having a baby, i pay $1000 amonth for health insurance and still needed to pay 3000 more next to me in the other room a spanish speaking woman was talking about getting wic for her baby and of course she had no health insurance, she had 4 kids. all payed for by idiots like me. Please stop having kids to let others pay for them!! by the way these two boarder patrol gards could have kill the low life, but they did not!! i am sure the boarder patrol are sick of protecting this country that is hell bent on distroying itself!! No more loser’s in this country i dont care where they are from we need educated, skilled immigrants not slaves!!