U.S. Border Agents Ramos and Compean Need Our Support

By Tony Vega
Wednesday, November 28, 2007


Former U.S. Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean are serving 11 and 12-year prison terms, respectively. This miscarriage of justice resulted from an attempted arrest of a criminal illegal alien smuggling drugs into the U.S.

My intention is not to retry the court case on these pages, but to illuminate the cause and further the grass root efforts endeavoring to right this terrible wrong by securing a presidential pardon.

Background
On February 17, 2005, at approximately 1:15 pm, the agents were attempting to apprehend a criminal illegal alien that smuggled drugs into the U.S. and assaulted agent Compean. The agents fired their weapons in self-defense at the perpetrator, later identified as Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila, striking him once on the left side of his buttocks. The drug smuggler sustained a non-life threatening injury and continued across the Texas border into Mexico evading arrest. His van loaded with 743 pounds of marijuana was secured and recovered on the U.S. side of the border. It was another valiant effort by the agents. (Agent Ramos has taken part in more than 100 drug busts and has never hurt anyone, despite having been assaulted and fired upon many times.)

Next, a series of egregious missteps took place by the agents and supervisors. In what I can only, describe as ineptitude on the behalf of supervision. There are conflicting reports claiming the boss on the scene was not happy about the failure to apprehend the perpetrator and was complicit in not preparing the voluminous paperwork. Due to the misconception that the suspect would not be captured, the arduous task of “paperwork” was a seemingly pointless effort. This miscalculation would serve as one of the weapons Texas U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton would use to place into the backs of justice and steal away the freedom of the two agents. I bet the agents never thought in a million years that their own country would be the perpetrator’s strongest advocate. The administrative incompetence is inexcusable. The penalty for this glaring snafu is 5 days suspension without pay. This should not translate into 11 and 12-years of imprisonment!

Davila was enjoying his freedom in Mexico, albeit not so well due to sub par medical treatment he received while on his home turf. After a series of phone calls emanating from the Mexican side of the border apparently originating from Davila‘s mother, U.S. authorities went into Mexico and encouraged an uncooperative Davila to return. With promises of a visa, free medical, and immunity from all assault and/or drug related charges, Davila happily returned to the land of opportunity. Once in the U.S., as per the agreement, Davila testified against agents Ramos and Compean. The claims that Davila was shot in the back was disproved by the governments own witness- the doctor that removed the bullet fragment from Davila. The government’s medical expert testified, "The smuggler was not shot from behind". "He was in a running position, (bladed position) and pointing back with his left arm and hand when the bullet hit his left side of his left buttock and traveled to his right groin. This scientific evidence supports the agent’s account. The theory that Davila was not armed is also preposterous. Does any reasonable person believe that an established drug smuggler would hold onto his illegally possessed firearm when showing up for an interview with U.S. authorities? Of course he didn’t have a gun on him a month after the fact. Johnny Sutton goes so far to say he believes the drug dealer, because if the drug dealer had a gun he would have displayed it at the original stop by Compean, not during the subsequent mad dash across the border. Huh? All such nonsensical theories and the benefit of the doubt was advanced and granted to the smuggler by the U.S. Attorney’s office. It was also revealed that prior to Davila‘s excellent medical care by the hands of the U.S. Army doctor, Davila arranged another drug shipment into the U.S. Why not take advantage of the free trip and make some side cash courtesy of the U.S.A.?

The agents were convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and for violating the drug smuggler's 4th amendment civil rights. The drug smuggler is suing U.S. taxpayers for 5 million dollars.


Logic, justice, and loyalty were hijacked in Texas. The agents are sitting in prison awaiting the snail pace process of an appeal. They are in need of a presidential pardon now!




Petition President Bush Today!
Please join the hundreds of thousands of concerned Americans and the bipartisan efforts of many congressional members in the campaign to garner a pardon for the agents. Follow the National Petition link below to sign the online petition.
National Petition And Media Campaign To Pardon AgentsRamos And Compean!
Total signers: 381,787
Your Sponsor: Mr. Tony Vega