Thread: Ariz. Rancher Who Targets Illegals Faces Complaint

http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/ap ... -05-07.htm


Ariz. Rancher Who Targets Illegals Faces Complaint


Associated Press
TUCSON — A Douglas rancher who has made it his mission to capture illegal immigrants crossing his ranch is facing a disorderly conduct complaint filed by firefighters.
Roger Barnett reportedly tried to force his way into an ambulance where a migrant was being treated Dec. 30, Cochise County Sheriff's officials said.
The Douglas Fire Department ambulance crew filed a complaint, and the sheriff's office will forward investigation reports to the county attorney for possible charges, sheriff's spokeswoman Carol Capas said.
According to the U.S. Border Patrol, Barnett helped point out the location of a suspected illegal immigrant hiding in brush. The man told agents he was sick and asked for medical assistance, spokesman Jesus Rodriguez said. Barnett wanted to know if the man in the ambulance was the same man he pointed out to agents.
A Douglas Fire Department ambulance crew arrived and was taking the man to the hospital when Barnett flagged down the ambulance and tried to force his way inside, according to the complaint.
Douglas Mayor Ray Borane said Barnett became aggressive when he wasn't allowed into the ambulance and had to be restrained, and the ambulance crew felt threatened because Barnett was armed.
''We are very concerned about the welfare and safety of our city employees,'' Borane said. ''And if these allegations are substantiated, the city will pursue whatever legal recourse is available to the fullest extent, including filing charges if necessary.''
Barnett did not return calls seeking comment, and his lawyer, John Kelliher, wasn't immediately available.
Barnett, who owns a ranch about five miles north of the U.S. Mexico border, claims to have detained more than 10,000 illegal immigrants in the past decade.
In November, a jury ordered him to pay $98,000 to two men and three girls he confronted while they hunted deer on his leased grazing land. The hunting party alleged he threatened them with a rifle and used racial slurs.
Barnett denied using derogatory language and said he was armed because the men in the group were carrying rifles.
In June, he was cleared in a lawsuit alleging he trespassed on a monastery ranch to detain illegal entrants.

Gosh, don't get me started. I don't know if this story is true or not, but at this point I don't even care. For all of the press that Mr Barnett has gotten, our politicians must know that his property is a major corridor. If you don't like the man's actions...help him out and eliminate the problem. Abide by the law, and keep illegals out!! Funny how our government can make one man a scape goat but they don't mind our National Guard being pushed around by Mexico. Loco!!