Thread: Congress probing influence by Mexico on Ramos-Compean

Dems OK hearing on border agents
Congress probing possible influence by Mexico on Ramos-Compean case

Posted: March 13, 2007
5:08 p.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

Democrats have approved a congressional hearing to explore Mexico's possible influence on the prosecution of Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.

The request by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif. – ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight – was approved by the panel's chairman, Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass.

As WND reported, documents indicate the Mexican Consulate played a role in the events leading to U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton's high-profile prosecution of Ramos and Compean, who are serving 11 and 12 year sentences for their role in the shooting of a drug smuggler.

Rohrabacher said the hearing will "permit us to conduct an official investigation into aspects of the Ramos and Compean prosecution and others cases where a pattern of questionable foreign influence seems to exist."

"I hope this administration will more forthright and cooperative than they have been thus far considering all of our requests for information will now be a part of an official subcommittee investigation, culminating with hearings," Rohrabacher said in a statement.

"If a foreign government is having an undue influence on the decisions of our government to make concessions for illegal aliens over our law enforcement officers," he added, "the American people have a right to know about it."

Mexican consular officials also demanded the prosecution of Texas Sheriff's Deputy Guillermo "Gilmer" Hernandez, who subsequently was brought to trial by Sutton.

WND has obtained a copy of a letter written April 18, 2005, by Mexican Consul Jorge Ernesto Espejel Montes in Eagle Pass, Texas, demanding Hernandez be prosecuted for injuring a Mexican national, Marciela Rodriguez Garcia.

[Page 1 of the letter can be seen here and page 2 here.]





In the case of agents Ramos and Compean, WND has obtained notes made by a congressional staff member who attended a Sept. 26, 2006, meeting with three investigators from the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General's Office.

The staff member's notes indicate the Inspector General's Office briefed the congressmen that the Mexican consul also had intervened in the Ramos and Compean case.

DHS investigative reports document that March 4, 2005, is the date on which the agency initiated the probe.

WND can find no evidence the Border Patrol, DHS, or U.S. Attorney Sutton had started any investigation of Ramos or Compean concerning the events of Feb. 17, 2005, prior to March 4, 2005.

While the agents are in federal prison, the drug smuggler, Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila, has found an American lawyer and plans to sue the Border Patrol for $5 million for allegedly violating his civil rights.

Who is the American lawyer? Where is he? I think he needs some fan mail.

This has been long overdue.

It's about time. I hope they uncover all the other dirty snakes involved. We already know Johnny Sutton is one of them!!

Mexican consular officials also demanded the prosecution of Texas Sheriff's Deputy Guillermo "Gilmer" Hernandez, who subsequently was brought to trial by Sutton.

This is after the Texas Rangers ended their investigation and declared Deputy Hernandez was not being charged.

Good! Can hardly wait to see how this unfolds.

Congress to probe border agent cases
By Shaun Waterman
Mar 14, 2007

To investigate alleged "foreign influence"



By Shaun Waterman
UPI Homeland and National Security Editor

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. House subcommittee will investigate and hold a hearing into alleged "foreign influence" in the prosecution of two U.S. Border Patrol agents who shot an unarmed Mexican drug smuggler.

Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass., chairman of the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told United Press International Tuesday that the hearing would likely be in early May.

He said he had agreed to a request from the subcommittee's ranking member, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif.

"It's a priority for him, and we try and work in a bipartisan manner," he said, adding he had agreed to the hearing "out of deference" to Rohrabacher, and as a matter of "legislative comity."

Rohrabacher is one of a number of conservative congressmen who have taken up the cause of the two former agents, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, helping to make them heroes of a sort to those who favor a tougher -- and perhaps rougher -- form of justice at the border.

Rohrabacher said in a statement the hearing would "explore possible foreign influence in the ruthless prosecution" of the two men, convicted by a Texas jury last year of shooting a Mexican drug courier after he fled his vehicle, and then covering up the incident by collecting shell casings and forging paperwork.

The courier was given immunity from prosecution and free hospital care for his wounds in exchange for his testimony.

Because the shooting, in February 2005, took place on federal land along the Texas border, the men were investigated by federal agents and prosecuted by the local U.S. Attorney's office under federal statutes. They were sentenced to 11 and 12 year prison terms.

"I commend Chairman Delahunt for his willingness to pursue this issue," said Rohrabacher. "This hearing will permit us to conduct an official investigation into aspects of the Ramos and Compean prosecution and others cases where a pattern of questionable foreign influence seems to exist."

Delahunt told UPI he had seen "no evidence whatsoever" of any such influence, but pointed out this was the only aspect of the case that the subcommittee had jurisdiction over.

"These are the assertions that have been made," Delahunt said of Rohrabacher's statement, promising "a respectful and thoughtful review ... (by the subcommittee) to ascertain what the facts are."

He said it was too early say how the inquiry would be staffed.

One issue which has irked many critics of the case is the fate of the drug mule, Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila. Having been granted not just immunity and U.S. taxpayer-funded healthcare for his injuries, but a border crossing card to facilitate his visits to U.S. hospitals, Aldrete-Davila is now suing the U.S. government for damages for the original shooting.

Moreover, Rohrabacher has alleged, he continued to mule drugs across the border even while cooperating with agents from the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General and other federal investigators to help them prosecute Ramos and Compean.

"I hope this Administration will more forthright and cooperative than they have been thus far," said Rohrabacher Tuesday. "If a foreign government is having an undue influence on the decisions of our government to make concessions for illegal aliens over our law enforcement officers, the American people have a right to know about it."

Earlier this month, the conservative news and opinion Web site World Net Daily said the Compean and Ramos case was one of a series of prosecutions of Border Patrol agents by U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, and suggested they had been brought at the behest of Mexican consular officials.

Delahunt said he had not yet had a chance to study the detail of the case, but added he was aware that several lawmakers had concerns about the case and it behooved him to take them seriously.

Congressional critics were enraged when it emerged that an initial report from the Homeland Security inspector general's office suggesting that the shooting might have been racially motivated proved inaccurate, but remained uncorrected for many months.

http://wpherald.com/articles/3795/1/Con ... equot.html

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. House subcommittee will investigate and hold a hearing into alleged "foreign influence" in the prosecution of two U.S. Border Patrol agents who shot an unarmed Mexican drug smuggler.

I was so happy when I read this news. I think it's about time that America's lawmakers learn of all the "foreign influence" that prosecuted these 2 border agents. I have a strong feeling that Bush and Gonzales will have alot of explaining to do. WHITE HOUSE GOONS.