ACLU lawsuit: 2 border agents punished for speaking out
May 21st, 2008 @ 6:03pm
by Associated Press

TUCSON, Ariz. - A lawsuit contends that two Border Patrol agents have been disciplined after speaking out against an alleged agency practice of stopping vehicles without reasonable suspicion.

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico lawsuit filed in Tucson contends agents Juan Curbelo and William Leafstone Jr., were suspended from normal duty in the Tucson sector after Leafstone testified at an August pretrial hearing about ``shotgunning traffic.''

It says another agent stopped Curbelo's ex-wife and children near Rodeo, N.M., in December 2006 and arrested her for possessing and trafficking marijuana.

Curbelo reported his concern to the inspector general's office.

The woman's charges were dismissed, but the ACLU says the agents have been on the equivalent of latrine duty since August.

A Tucson sector spokeswoman declined comment
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