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 - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin