Thread: Convicted agent's injuries are worse than reported

Congressman: Convicted agent's injuries are worse than reported
By Sara A. Carter, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 02/10/2007 12:00:00 AM PST


An imprisoned former Border Patrol agent who was beaten in his sleep has injuries that are more serious than previously reported, said a congressman on Friday.

Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., met with Ignacio Ramos, who was convicted in March for the nonfatal shooting of a Mexican drug smuggler. Ramos is serving an 11-year sentence at Yazoo Correctional Complex in Mississippi.

Tancredo said he was astonished at the injuries on Ramos' body, which he said did not coincide with reports from the prison earlier this week that described his injuries as "minor."

"His bruises were deep and severe," Tancredo said. "His arm, chest and back are black and blue with broken blood vessels on his arm. It was terrible."

Ramos was beaten Saturday night by roughly a half-dozen inmates who recognized him from a TV show that aired shortly before 10 p.m. He was pulled from his cell, which remains unlocked until midnight, by the inmates and kicked repeatedly by the men who were wearing steel-toed boots. The boots are issued to inmates for their daily work, according to the prison's Web site.

Ramos did not see a doctor until Wednesday, Tancredo said.

The prison's warden, Constance Reese, did not return phone calls for comment.

According to a prison press release, "Ramos was evaluated by medical staff at the institution, who determined he had sustained some bruises and abrasions."

Charles Smith, a spokesman for the institution, also said in the release that Ramos' injuries "were minor in nature."

"Inmate Ramos was subsequently placed in the Special Housing Unit pending a thorough investigation of the incident. He will remain in the Special Housing Unit until the conclusion of this investigation."

Prison officials have interviewed six inmates associated with the assault, Tancredo added. The congressman said he is working to move the former agent to a facility where Ramos will be safe.

Representatives of Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, visited the facility with Tancredo. Tara Setmayer, Rohrabacher's communications director, said she was astonished at the injuries Ramos sustained.

Setmayer said Reese refused to allow her, or Tancredo, to view photos taken of Ramos the night of the incident or any documents regarding the ongoing investigation into the case.

"To underestimate the seriousness of the assault on (Ramos) is a disingenuous characterization by the prison officials," Setmayer said. "He clearly is the victim of a vicious attack. And the ineptitude demonstrated by prison officials with such a high-profile prisoner is troubling."

Ramos and fellow former agent Jose Compean were convicted of shooting Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila in the buttocks and violating his civil rights. Compean was sentenced to 12 years in an Ohio federal prison.

Setmayer said Reese refused to allow her, or Tancredo, to view photos taken of Ramos the night of the incident or any documents regarding the ongoing investigation into the case.

How did it get that federal employees can refuse a legitimate request from the peoples representative? I hope they make Reese appear in Washinton before Congress to show the pictures.

I would have a full investigation and FIRE CONSTANCE REESE FOR COVERUP AND POSSIBLE OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.

What kind of warden is she? A FULL INVESTIGATION AGAINST HER AND HER PRISON!

PARDON THE BORDER AGENTS NOW!!

Thankfully Mr Tancredo took the time to report the truth. We need to know things like this.

Cards or letters of support may be sent to Border Patrol agent Ramos at the following address. Addresses must be COMPLETE:

Ignacio Ramos #58079-180
FCI Yazoo City Medium
Federal Correctional Institution
P. O. Box 5888
Yazoo City, MS 39194

Lady as i stated in another post.

Folks if you write to Nacho. take the time to put a seperate envelope in your letter with a stamp on it. DO NOT address it to anyone. let HIM use the envelope and stamp for who ever he wants to write too.

that is one way we can support him

I'll try to send one today. They need all our support and prayers.

Thank God we have concerned Congressmen like Tancredo and Rohrabacher and all member of the immigration caucus that care about these border agents and America!

Originally Posted by loservillelabor

Setmayer said Reese refused to allow her, or Tancredo, to view photos taken of Ramos the night of the incident or any documents regarding the ongoing investigation into the case.

How did it get that federal employees can refuse a legitimate request from the peoples representative? I hope they make Reese appear in Washinton before Congress to show the pictures.

There has been a refusal to release information to congress at every level and at every stage in this case, from the DHS investigation reports, the US Attorney and Department of Justice, and now the Bureau of Prisons. That along with all the lying that they all have done to the news media and congress. Clearly this is coordinated at very high levels - I would suspect by Alberto Gonzales if not someone in the White House.

I agree!