TX-Hundreds of accused felons deported rather than prosecute

FedUpinFarmersBranch

Hundreds of accused felons deported rather than prosecuted

04:04 AM CST on Friday, November 6, 2009

By DAVID SCHECHTER & MARK SMITH / WFAA-TV

JUSTICE DEPORTED

November 6th, 2009 DALLAS - Hundreds of accused felons charged with murder, rape, assault and kidnapping have been deported from Dallas County without having to face criminal prosecution.

News 8 has found that the practice to allow charged felons to circumvent the justice system occurs not only in Dallas, but in major cities throughout Texas and the nation.

The accused are undocumented immigrants, many of which are Mexican Nationals, who bond out from jail and are transported by federal immigration buses to the border and then set free.

"That’s tragic and unacceptable,” said David Finn, a former Dallas County District Judge and former federal prosecutor. “... The left hand and the right hand are not on the same page and they're not communicating."

Finn, along with other authorities, said the problem has been a long-standing “black eye” on the U.S. criminal justice system.

Based on extensive interviews and research, News 8 found that federal, state and local law enforcement simply fail when it comes to cooperating to ensure accused felons go to trial.

From June through August, at least 20 Mexican citizens facing state felony charges in Dallas County were released to Mexico, according to a News 8 review.

One estimate by the Dallas County District Attorney’s office indicates the number of deported felons may be staggering.

Since 1991, the research estimates that the following accused Dallas felons were set free:

· 128 accused murders

· 18 attempted murderers

· 409 child abuser–rapists

· 54 rapists

One of the accused includes Jose Salvador Tinajero. He faced the possibility of life in prison for allegedly molesting his two step daughters, one of whom was only four years old. News 8 found that he was deported in August prior to trial.

The practice first came to light in mid-August. At the time, Jose Adan Rico faced the possibility of life in prison after he was charged with the violent rapes of two Dallas girls ages 12 and 14.

The girls told police that Rico, 34, entered unlocked doors to their respective apartments and bound their arms and covered their eyes with duct tape. Rico told one girl he had a gun and would kill her if she didn’t quit screaming, one of the victims said.

Instead of going to trial, Rico posted bond and within hours was loaded onto a bus to be set free in Mexico.

At the time, Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins said he planned to meet with federal authorities. He said he hoped to come up with policies and procedures to ensure accused felons went to trial.

But, since Rico’s release, Watkins has not had official high-level discussions to address the issue. He also declined to comment for this story.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials also have repeatedly declined comment. They said their agencies are ready to cooperate with Watkin’s office, if asked.

Others, however, have taken some action.

Dallas County District Judge Mike Snipes said he notified the U.S. Attorney’s office last week about the problem. He asked for more information sharing between federal and local authorities about pending criminal charges.

“There are a lot of people down here who have access to that information,” he said. “It doesn't have to be that complicated, I don't think."

Ernesto Fierro, an investigator with Watkin’s office, said he was so troubled by the practice that he compiled estimates of accused Dallas area felons who were released. Fierro also has collaborated on a plan for a joint immigration task force of local and federal agents.

“I’m furious,” he said. "That's the whole reason I drew this up and wrote it on my own time. I didn't get paid or assigned to do this.”

The Dallas County District Attorney’s office tabled the estimated $200,000 proposal due to budget and personnel cuts.

Fierro, however, continued on his own time to act on tips from a close friend who happens to be a federal ICE officer.

"It’s not his job to do that,” Fierro said referring to tips he receives from the ICE agent about impending deportations. “It’s not my job to get that call and go do something about it."

But that's exactly how Fierro got tipped off last week about Juan Antonio Morales, who was accused of the sexual assault of a child.

Fierro returned Morales to the Dallas County Jail only hours before his scheduled deportation to Mexico. He said he was relieved to know that Morales didn’t join the hundreds of accused felons who have already taken bus rides to escape pending charges.

E-mail dschechter@wfaa.com

http://tinyurl.com/yjft848
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Yea though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death
81000 Americans killed by illegal aliens since 9-11

AirborneSapper7 · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:36 am Post subject:

forwarded to everyone I know
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I'm a Conservative ~ "BOO" and According to Obama and Napolitano I am (AKA) the "Boogieman"

ALIPAC · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:46 am Post subject:

Those sons of bitches! This is TREASON! How many dead, raped, robbed, assaulted, Americans are there because they have done this!

W
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Vox populi vox Dei
Ad majorem Dei gloriam

Illegal Immigration

jean · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:59 am Post subject:

And how many will just come back due to our revolving door at the border? Mad

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Why aren't our immigration laws enforced?

AirborneSapper7 · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 2:22 am Post subject:

this is beyond sickening, this is revolting.. do the people of Texas know about this; do the American public know about this

Someone needs to go to jail other than these criminals that are being deported.

Lady justice isn't blindfolded.. she is blind in Texas to anyone other than it's citizens
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I'm a Conservative ~ "BOO" and According to Obama and Napolitano I am (AKA) the "Boogieman"

jean · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 2:53 am Post subject:

Added to Homepage:
http://www.alipac.us/article-4670--0-0.html
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Why aren't our immigration laws enforced?

Rebelrouser · ALIPAC Titan Joined: Sep 23, 2008 Posts: 640

This is totally Outrageous !
They should be punished! Evil or Very Mad

SEAL THE BORDERS !

Yonderis · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:36 am Post subject:

Every one of those responsible for this heinous practice should be removed from office immediately, arrested, jailed (no bond), tried for their crimes and imprisoned.

How dare they? How dare they spit on the victims of these God-less monsters by refusing to seek justice on their behalf?

Completely unacceptable!
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An American of Irish descent - NOT an "Irish-American".

He is my son. He currently serves for us in Iraq.

Rebelrouser · ALIPAC Titan Joined: Sep 23, 2008 Posts: 640

I AGREE with you yonderis ! HOW DARE THEY ! Evil or Very Mad

onetrickydude · ALIPAC Adept Joined: Apr 11, 2006 Posts: 186

This is just too much. What in the name of God is wrong with these idiots!?

tinybobidaho · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:05 am Post subject:

Oh, my God, this just makes me sick. This protecting the illegal has now gone to a whole new level. Evil or Very Mad

SOSADFORUS · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:40 am Post subject:

And they are probably back in the country the same day! Evil or Very Mad

This is treason!
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AUT*AGERE*AUT*MORI (EITHER ACTION OR DEATH)

Ratbstard · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:47 am Post subject:

How low were they setting bond?
Evil or Very Mad

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If a man sneaks into your home he is a burglar, not an undocumented tenant you must provide for!

NoBueno · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:53 pm Post subject:

cclarkkent · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject:

This is outrageous. These people should be traced down in Mexico with the Mexican government and brought to justice. I know, far fetched, but what else can be done? They are gone and they will never return here, unless they come to face prosecution.

This needs to be investigated by the Department of Justice and see what exactly happened and where the breakdown in communication occurred. They may not be citizens, but if they commit a crime here, they need to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, just like any American, illegal or legal vistitor.

I counted 609 (alleged) victims! In the time of immigration reform, this is unacceptable. What are they thinking ????

What does the Congressional Hispanic Caucus think about this ????

Yonderis · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:23 pm Post subject:

wilro

Don't worry, these felons that were deported will be back in the U.S.A. soon to commit more of the same crimes. Seal the borders already!
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The National Council of LaRaza is the largest hate group.

bigtex

sunlandbob · ALIPAC Apprentice 3 Joined: Apr 15, 2006 Posts: 160

This is abomidable. The reason given by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano for weakening the 287-G program is so that law-enforcement can "go after the real criminals".

But what good is it to concentrate on just the most hardened, felonious, illegal alien criminals if authorities are just going to give them limousine service back to the border without prosecution?