Former U.S. Border Patrol agent Jose Alonso Compean left the United States Court House on Thursday after being sentenced to 12 years in prison. Compean’s wife, Patty Compean, is in the wheelchair. The woman at left is unidentified.
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Well, thanks to the pathetic U.S. justice system, border patrol agents and commended illegal immigration heroes Ignacio “Nacho” Ramos and Jose Compean were sentenced to federal prison yesterday–Ramos for 11 years and Compean for 12.
How could this happen? Why did this happen? I wonder if professional slime-bitch prosecutor, Debra Kanof even knows why she ruined the lives of these two men. I doubt it. It seems apparent that she was only doing as she was told–destroy Ramos and Compean. As a lawyer, her ethics are questionable to anyone who followed the trial. As a human being, Kanof has proven she wants nothing to do with us, which is fine by me. My only hope is that she’s never allowed to do something this despicable again.
In the meantime, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean are thankfully not required to report for incarceration until the 17th of January, 2007. In that time, their appeals process will likely begin. It is hoped that they will be allowed to remain out of prison while appeals take place. If the convictions eventually get overturned, then Ignacio and Jose won’t have to spend a moment in jail. Here’s hoping.
Former U.S. Border Patrol agent Ignacio Ramos, center, left the United States Court House on Thursday with his wife, Monica Ramos, after being sentenced to 11 years in prison. Former Border Patrol agent Jose Alonso Compean got 12 years. (Photos by Mark Lambie / El Paso Times)
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Agents sentenced, hope to stay out of prison during appeal
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The former Border Patrol agents convicted of shooting a drug smuggler in the buttocks last year were sentenced Thursday — Ignacio Ramos to 11 years in prison and Jose Alonso Compean to 12 years in prison — but allowed to remain free on bond at least until mid-January.The agents and their families, who had prepared themselves for the possibility that the agents would be taken to jail after Thursday’s hearing, breathed a sigh of relief.
“I’m happy to be going home to my family right now,” Ramos said.
“That was the biggest concern, that the six kids would have to spend Christmas without their fathers,” said Joe Loya, Ramos’ father-in-law.
Ramos and Compean each have three children.
The agents must surrender Jan. 17, but they hoped that they would be allowed to continue to stay free on bond until their appeal.
On Feb. 17, 2005, Ramos chased a van loaded with marijuana to a ditch near Fabens, where the van’s driver, Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, abandoned his vehicle and ran toward Mexico.
According to court testimony, agent Compean tried to block his path, but Aldrete continued running toward the Rio Grande. Compean and Ramos then shot at Aldrete and a bullet from Ramos’ gun hit the smuggler in the buttock. Aldrete made it to Mexico, wounded. The agents did not report the shooting, and Compean picked up his shell casings.The agents, who will be officially fired now that they have been sentenced, said in court that they thought Aldrete had a gun.
They were convicted of various charges, including violating the Aldrete’s civil rights and tampering with evidence. The case has become a cause celebre among conservatives, especially in California.
After the sentencing Thursday, U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, Border Patrol AssistantÊChief Robert Boatright and Jay Smith, the special agent in charge of the Office of the Inspector General at Homeland Security,Êpraised prosecutors for their work on an unpopular case.
Sutton said that the Border Patrol badge is not “a license to shoot people, especially unarmed suspects who are running away from you, lie to your superior and write a false report.”
Sutton took to task radio talk shows and cable news shows for presenting only one side of the story.
He also questioned the agents’ claim that they thought the smuggler had a gun.
“The evidence reflects something completely different,” he said. “The agents did not take cover and did not tell other agents to ‘Get down. Someone has a gun.’ “
Sutton said that he felt no sympathy for Aldrete, whom he called a “piece of dirt.”
Aldrete did not appear in court Thursday. But his lawyer, Walter Boyaki, who represents him in a lawsuit against the government, spoke. Boyaki said that his client, a truck driver by trade, was incapacitated by the bullet, which shattered his urethra, and cannot work.
“I was expecting at least one of them (agents) to say, ‘I’m sorry,’ ” Boyaki said. “I know Aldrete Davila would say he was sorry, too.”
The agents chose not to make statements to the court and presented no witness Thursday.
Compean’s lawyer, Chris Antcliff, blamed Aldrete, saying, “Had he stopped like any normal citizen, we wouldn’t be here today. É This case is a little bit upside down in my mind.”
He called his client, “a good man in a really bad situation.”
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone said that she took into account the risk to the agents in prison and the conduct of the victim when deciding on lenient sentences on most charges, but that she could not reduce the 10-year mandatory, consecutive sentence mandated by federal law when a gun is discharged in the commission of a crime.
The agents were not ordered to make restitution to Aldrete.
Outside the United States Courthouse, dozens of family members and friends of the agents who couldn’t fit inside the small courtroom waited three hours to hear the sentence. About five volunteers with the Texas Minutemen were also there, carrying signs in support of the agents. The Minutemen are in the Fabens area for a patrol operation this month.
Family members said the fight was not over.
“It’s going to be step by step,” said Ramos’ brother Hector Ramos. “The first step is going to get him home. It’s a process.”
Also Thursday, Judge Cardone denied the defense’s motion for a new trial on the basis that three jurors said they were misled by theÊ jury foreman and voted guilty because they thought they were not allowed to have a hung jury.
I have sent a letter to the White House asking for an immediate executive pardon. This trial should never have happened. For the sake of border security, justice and, yes, support of the Conservative base, these two border patrol agents need to be exonerated now.
This is getting out of hand. I think we should start emigrating to Mexico, illegally of course, and demand the same rights the illegal immigrants demand of this country. Let’s see how fast things change then. This trial plain and simple a travesty and is motivated by nothing more than greed on the part of the prosecution and judge.
Can you believe this? Officers stop a drug smuggler and as he runs away, he is shot. He’s NOT a US citizen, but he has the same rights as a US citizen. Makes NO sense to me. Good thing he didn’t have a nuclear bomb in that truck. Would it be OK the border secuirty to shoot at him then? Guess not, huh? Our judicial system has gone completely in the toilet to allow a fleeing suspect to have more rights than the guys trying to stop him. If he gets away, he will just do it again. So now we are down two border agents when we are already short handed. Now this guy doesn’t have to worry about those two on his next illegal trip to our country. Am I the only one that thinks this is a bunch of crap?
Sound off…..what do you think?
What bullcrap is this anyway? The men were just doing their jobs. Perhaps they made a technical mistake when performing their jobs, but it is no reason to put them in prison for 11 and 12 years, respectively. The most they should have gotten was a warning and a write-up, but nothing else.
Thank you all for your comments.
Robin Williams, another revolting aspect of this story is that the smuggler they originally try to apprehend ended up being caught smuggling drugs again after the original offense.
Of course this is crap. Everyone knows it and our government ignores us. Majority rule? the greatest good for the greatest number? Will of the people? Maybe once in America but not anymore.
Rule of Law? Which law? only the laws that the government wants to enforce. Obviously they do not want to enforce immigration laws and are willing to punish anyone that tries to enforce the law.
Here is a thought. Let’s arrest the prosecution and accomplices and charge them with aiding and abetting a criminal. Come election day cast your vote for those that favor cutting off all benefits to illegal aliens and no ammnesty. Send them a message.
First O.J. Simpson, now a whole new mockerey of our judicial system. This defies common sense! Our government has turned in to a ‘Good ‘ol boys club’ of favor trading. All you apparently need is enough cash and you can BUY any outcome in court you like in this country (See OJ case and drug Dealer charges above).
How can these men receive longer sentences than a rapist, murderer, or molester? Who is our goverment protecting anyway? How many new Border Agents will apply for the job when they see who’s got their backs? Would you take the job knowing all this?
The really sad part is that, unless they live in solitary confinment for 11 or 12 years, they could very possibly be killed by other inmates for the jobs they held.
Shame on anyone connected to the loop-hole prosecution of these 2 men.
I have followed this case since September when I first heard of these brave men. GW Bush appointed this judge,
Cardone, who was friendly with the liberals in Texas. The prosecutor had more zeal to put these men in prison than to
protect our borders from Davila the illegal alien drug smuggler and his ilk. That our justice system has allowed this to happen in the United States of America only testifies to the fact that the long slow decline of America is well under way. I will pray these men are pardoned by Bush, but I expect him to disappoint me again. I pray they make it in prison. This should be sufficient discouragement to all our Border Patrol guys to never again pursue a suspect and never again fire at a drug smuggler fleeing back into Mexico. All that will result from this is two families in heartache and poverty, and an increase in bribery and corruption on the part of the Americans in the border patrol. It is so sad, just too few voices screaming about this to make any difference.
I wish them well, and will write the President asking for a pardon.
Mary,
My hope, and I’m sure you share it with me, is that Ramos and Compean see no prison time at all. They’re not supposed to report to for incarceration until Januray 17th. Within that time the appeals process will likely begin and we are all praying that these two heroes will be allowed to remain relatively free men (i.e. not in jail) during appeals.
At the very least, they will be able to spend the holidays with their families.
If the verdict doesn’t get overturned they can just run for the border. Now that they know that no one is allowed to try and stop them
Debra Kanof has used her office just like Mike Nifong did.FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL GAIN.Kanof,just like Nifong, has ruined the lives of two of our American Heros. How dare her give immunity to this drug smuggler(he had 750 lbs of marijuana in his van)and prosecute our border patrol agents. I have written to President Bush,and to all the senators and congressmen and women that I could demanding a pardon. President Bush seems to be ignoring this grave injustice. To me these two border patrol agents are much more important that Iraq or the Iraqi people. It would serve Mr Bush right if all the border patrol agents just walked off the job and said screw it.If America lets these two men go to prison then this is what we deserve.
This is not the America I served for four years. I love my country, but trhis is wrong. Today wrong is right andright is wrong. I don,t feel Bush has done enough.
There is only 1 option left, President Bush must grant the pardons now!!
You have got to be kidding me!!! I spent 8 years serving this country so they could do something like this? The real crime here is that that didn’t kill the guy! I can’t believe they would give imnmunity to this slime and yet prosecute the men we hired to protect us from this kind of slime.
“slime-bitch prosecutor, Debra Kanof”
Nice. No matter what you think/believe, uncalled for.
krammerer,
I learned from the best–slime-bitch prosecutor, Debra Kanof.
Thanks.
If what happened really happened and if these two Border Agents were not trying to rip the drug dealer off then something is really screwed up with our Legal System. I would like to see a copy of the court transcript and see for myself why in the world these two Border Agents were convicted of a crime, what crime? Falsifying their report, so what, look at what our President made a decission on to wage war on Irag, innaccurate information? Did anyone go to prison for giving our President false information? Not that I am aware of! If all that they did is falisfy their report, they should be fired, no more no less. If that’s all that they did hopefully President Bush will grant them both a pardon. Once again, I would need to see some of the court transcript to determine for myself as to why a Jury might convict them of a crime, what crime? That my fellow American’s is the Million Dollar Question!
There is a similar event going on with an peace officer in a small town named Rocksprings,Texas. My 25 year old brother Deputy Gilmer F. Hernandez is actually in a detention factility till his sentencing in March 07. Free Gilmer and the Border Agents, all of which were doing their jobs. http://www.freegilmer.com (read in detail)
The lack of supervisors not reporting things and/or other cops filling in the blanks is not new. see http://www.whenlawmenlie.com. The forgotten murder conviction story of LA deputy Bob Shaffer.
How are these guys any diff than someone who shoots, say a homeless man, in an alleyway because they didnt want him to loiter. and THEN go and try to cover it up ? Ignore the fact that he’s a drug dealer, what if he was just an illegal immigrant coming to the US for a better life ? Would it be ok for them to detain them, and if they ran, then shoot them down like rabbits ? Don’t forget the smuggler was running AWAY from the agents…because he almost made it back to Mexico and he could have “gotten away” doesn’t make it right for them to shoot him. They could have ran him down. Also, what about the fact they picked up the shells and didnt want to leave any forensic evidence to show their wrong doing ? There are rules and procedures in place which keeps these men w/guns in check. This would be no difference than a court martial in the army or marines if they did something to violate rules. Just address the facts people, not your emotions !!
white fence,
You’re behind the times, sir. All of that you say here is now being shown as irrelevant since the government has come out and essentially stated they withheld evidence to bury Ramos and Compean.
http://hecubus.wordpress.com/2007/02/07/government-lied-about-ramos-compean-what-else-is-new/
http://hecubus.wordpress.com/2007/02/02/johnny-sutton-in-more-trouble-evidence-against-drug-smuggler-burried/
http://hecubus.wordpress.com/2007/01/30/malicious-prosecution-of-ramos-and-compean-johnny-suttons-days-number-most-likely/
http://hecubus.wordpress.com/2007/01/26/ramos-compean-convicted-under-wrong-law-to-johnny-sutton-well-duh/
But you’re like many who knee-jerk this case without taking the time to conduct even a moderate amount of investigation. At least do some more research before you take sides.
I am a liberal and big Kerry supporter and I too am outraged at this absurd prosecution. These guys should be decorated NOT prosecuted. HELL, they stopped a huge batch of drugs from entering the country.
We need to make this not only a conservative or liberal cause. It has to become bipartisan to get some real results. I have written my Congressman and Senators about this, and the black Congresswoman from Houston, Sheila Jackson-Lee is looking into the lies that she was told by Sutton. She is NOT happy about being lied to either. It is time to fire Sutton since Bush is on a kick of firing US attorney’s who prosecute crooks like Cunningham and others, he sure as HELL needs to fire his old buddy Sutton.
Randy,
Thank you for coming by and proving that this is not a partisan issue. This is an issue of justice. I appreciate your, and everyones thoughts and comments on this. Let’s try to get these two men out of prison as soon as possible.
It all stinks to high heaven. The more I’ve looked into this miscarriage of justice the more disdain I feel for the DA Johnny Boy Sutton and his “associates”. (DA can stand for a number of things can’t it?)
Childhood friends Doper Aldrete-Davila and Border Agent Rene Sanchez contradicting each other on the witness stand. IGO Chris Sanchez helping Aldrete-Davila to the bathroom. For Heaven’s sake – A-D’s got a supra-pubic catheter. A-D is a big boy and should be emptying the bag himself like he would in Mexico with C Sanchez not around. Both these guys are witnesses and should not be spending time in the courthouse together during recesses should they!?
Supposedly A-D’s immunity agreement was only for the events of 2/17/05. But when he is caught after dropping of a 1,000 lb marijuana shipment to Texas, October of 2006, Sutton realizes his star witness has sabotaged his case against the Ramos and Compean. Well Sutton fixes that, he extends the immunity to cover A-D’s “October Surprise”. And the “October Surprise” is not allowed to come out in court to damage A-D’s credibility.
And Aldrete-Davila is suing the US taxpayers for $5,000,000. Sutton says not a jury anywhere would award this to A-D. Sutton! You paved the way for this! And believe me there are some brain dead juries that just might award this to “dirtbag” (as you refer to him Jonny Boy Sutton) his asking price!
You befriend the enemies of our country and persecute those who try to protect us. Are you in bed with the corrupt, third world, Mexican goverment!!? Then what the hell just went down with this case!?
But I Don’t think Sutton, Konaf, Gonzales feel any remorse. They strike it up as another victory. They go home to their families; go out to eat; check how the stock portfolios are performing; etc… while two American heros have been injustly robbed of their freedom. I think Sutton, Kanof, Gonzales, have serious spiritual issues. Oh yeah, and ole doper Aldrete is free to bring more drugs across the border-funny the supra-pubic catheter didn’t stop him from delivering a 1,000 lb MJ shipment in October 2006!
Sorry had to vent a little.
Let me correct something–Divila’s October surprise was 2005 rahter than 2006. My bad.
I’d really love to see Sutton’s career ended over this, as it should be. He’s supposed to be protecting people that follow the rules from people who don’t. Hes rotten to the core and should be investigated, I’ll keep sending letters to elected officials.
Somewhere along the way laws changed but I still believe in the “old ways”, 1) you run, you’re guilty, 2) you think someone is pointing a gun at you, you defend yourself. This guy had double the reason to be shot at, and killed. A shame the bullet wasn’t in his head. He was packing dope. He was a criminal. There is no reason to question these officers on this. I don’t believe these fellows were heroes, just doing a job. Only one thing done wrong. Too bad the cretin was able to testify.
let the GOD judge you….. don’t rely to much on humans judgement!
I wish I could back hand Christopher Sanchez! I hope one day he makes a mistake and get 20 to life and maybe his mother and his wife will feel exactly what these agents family are going thru.
by the way NO I’m not related to these Sell OUT!
It is not suprising to me that D.C. did not step in to dismiss these two gentlemen. These men were doing there job, protecting us. Perhaps we should place Kanof and Bush on the border. What would they do in that position? Let me answer for you, they would welcome the illegal immigrants and help them establish a legal right to live here.
The corrupt government hacks wants the illegals to vote for them. And in return, they will give them freebies making all the working slobs pay for it.
This way the workers are kept down and in their place by having to pay for all the parasites.
And the parasites of society become the corrupt government hack’s permanent voting block.
Sutton should be charged with official misconduct and malicious prosecution.
Why do we allow a political hack like an “APPOINTED JUDGE” to wield such power? The real power is suppose to be with the governed.
It time to wake up and start to utilize some common sense when dealing with these scoundrels.
I’m waiting for the appeal results. Hopefully, the conviction will be overturned. A new trial, let alone any conviction(s) unlikely. The bad faith on the part of the gov’t in this matter saddens this loyal American. The current administration has a stong tendency to sacrifice federal law enforcement personnel in the cause of good relationships with other countries, i.e Mexico, China, etc.
From all I’ve been able to read on the ‘Net, the agents’ accounts of the event appears to be essentially what happened, and had I been in their place, can not see anything that I would have done differently. Mr. Sutton’s verson appears to have been wholly fanciful, and the conviction obtained via intimidation, perjury; with not a little help from the judge. At least now people are speaking up, and not being passive, as with Ruby Ridge, and Waco.
…..and to think how all this injustice negatively impacts the morale of our border employees, those charged with the responsibility of protecting us. I’d be very reluctant to stick my neck out to protect anyone.
Glenn Roberts Jr.
1315 Oakwood Circle
Big Stone Gap, Va. 24219
gerpar8@comcast.net
After taking the time to look into both sides of the issue I have to agree that both of them should be in jail. What a lot of people seem to be overlooking [or haven't examined the evidence from both sides] is the fact that they fired 16 times, hitting once, a fleeing unarmed man that as far as they knew had committed no crime and then tried to cover it up.
Sure they had good reason to assume they had a suspect doing something illegal but didn’t know until later which is why they tried to cover up the whole incident by failing to report the shooting, removing evidense [the casings ], lying about what had happened to fellow officers at the scene that arrived later.
What I find interesting is WHY they tried to cover up the whole incident, which hasn’t been addressed. I suspect there is more to the story than either side has said. Maybe they were going to keep the drugs for themselves for later resale who knows. Its odd that they didnt report shooting someone, and you cant tell me they didnt know if they had hit him or not since they could easily have found evidence of the blood loss, unless they had a reason not to report it.
Either way a law enforcement agent shooting someone who is unarmed and trying to cover it up is not right and they should have served jail time without a doubt.
Imagine if all the law enforcement agencies were allowed to shoot people they suspected of a crime and cover it up…one poster above even called this a “technical mistake” …uhuh I’d call it something a little more serious than that and the prosecution obviously felt likewise.
Its vitally important that there is a strong border patrol system, however, it shouldn’t be made up of reckless individuals that have no qualms about shooting unarmed suspects, covering up their “technical mistakes”, getting other officers involved in their coverups, lying to fellow officers…just my opinion.
By the way, for those that will try to point out that the suspect was not unarmed, why is it that they fired 16 times and had to remove/hide the evidence but no evidence or testimony of any kind was ever found or mentioned of there being a gun battle of any sort…I know if I had a gun with people shooting at me I’d be pretty inclined to use it at least ONCE.
For those that want to actually know about the other side of the story before making a judgement, start here http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txw/press_releases/2006/Sutton%20statement%20re%20compean%20and%20ramos%20conviction.pdf
One thing I do think is wrong in this case is that they should not be held in solitary confinement 23 hrs of 24 with no access to tv etc and their one hour of excercise time is when its dark. They should be held in a facility where they can serve their time with as much “freedom” as individuals that have committed far worse offences and yet enjoy far more freedoms.
this is crap something like this happan to me in the us marines in ca if you were not chicanos this would not happen…… semper fi