Pubdate: Tue, 23 Dec 2008
Source: Morning Call (Allentown, PA)
Copyright: 2008 The Morning Call Inc.
Contact:  http://www.mcall.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/275
Author: Congressman Charles W. Dent

Congressman Dent letter to President Bush

Congressman Dent will send this letter to the President today,
requesting clemency for the two Border Patrol Agents convicted of
shooting a drug smuggler in the line of duty:

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing to ask that you conduct a thorough review of the case
against Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean and
seriously consider exercising your power of executive clemency to
pardon them. These agents were acting in fulfillment of their duty and
responsibility to protect our borders and enforce the law, and they
have been unjustly punished for their actions.

On 19 October 2006 Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean were
convicted and sentenced to eleven and twelve years in prison,
respectively, for wounding a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743
pounds of marijuana across the U.S. border. The two agents were
prosecuted by Western District of Texas U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton.
The illegal drug smuggler was granted immunity to testify against the
agents. After surrendering to federal authorities on 17 January 2007,
the Agents are currently serving out their sentences in federal prison.

Border Patrol Agents are charged with the dangerous job of detecting,
preventing and apprehending wrongdoers and are confronted on daily
basis with difficult life or death decisions. Maintaining control and
security of our borders is central in our efforts against terrorism
and critical to law enforcement activities that keep our citizens
safe. This case has not only undermined the trust and confidence of
our Border Patrol Agents, but it has also raised questions about the
discretion and decisions of federal prosecutors.

As the situation threatens the confidence in our nation's Border
Patrol, I ask for your full review of the case against Agents Ramos
and Compean in order to reaffirm our commitment to the protection of
our borders and validate the difficult work that Border Patrol Agents
undertake on our borders.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely

Charles W. Dent, Congressman
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin