Thread: Release of suspect in slaying of B.P. Agent condemned

Release of suspect in slaying of border agent condemned
By Erica Molina Johnson / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 06/26/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT


The father of an El Paso Border Patrol agent killed in Yuma, Ariz., earlier this year is confused, disappointed and angry that Mexican officials have released a key suspect in the case.
A Mexican judge on Wednesday ordered the release of Jesus Navarro Montes, the man suspected of running over and killing Senior Border Patrol agent Luis Aguilar Jr. of El Paso.

Luis "Louie" Aguilar Sr. said he understood the suspect was in the process of being extradited to the United States to face charges in the death of his son.

"I'm very disappointed," Aguilar said Wednesday night. "The crime was committed over here. He should be tried in the U.S. under our laws. He killed a federal agent."

Aguilar said he did not know what the U.S. government will do now.

"I don't think he is going to wait for the U.S. to pick him up" Aguilar said of the suspect.

Jan. 19, Aguilar Jr. was struck and killed near Yuma as he was placing spike strips in the road to try to stop a Hummer and a Ford pickup driven by suspected drug smugglers who entered the country illegally before they fled back to Mexico.

Navarro was arrested Jan. 22 in Mexico, and was being held in a Mexicali prison. Mexico had sought him for allegedly smuggling migrants.

"As a father, I leave it up to God. God is going to have to punish him," Aguilar said. "My concern is loving my son every day, honoring him every day. We miss him terribly. It's not an easy thing to go through. ... We are all going through hell right now, just

the idea my son is not with us."
U.S. officials, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, joined Aguilar in expressing outrage at Navarro's release.

"Every Border Patrol agent in the country is outraged and stunned by this," said T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council. Bonner said the judge released Navarro with time served.

In a statement, Chertoff said, 'We are shocked and appalled to learn that Jesus Navarro Montes was recently released by a Mexican judge," adding that the matter is not over.

"We are working with a determined Mexican government, and our Department of Justice, to seek swift justice for the Aguilar murder," Chertoff said. "We have also assured Agent Aguilar's family that every resource is being called upon in the relentless pursuit of justice. Agent Aguilar's murder represents a tragic example of border violence."

Aguilar Jr., who graduated from El Paso High School, left behind a wife and two children who reside in Yuma.


Erica Molina Johnson may be reached at emolina@elpasotimes.com; 546-6132.

El Paso Times reporter Daniel Borunda and the Associated Press contributed to this story.



Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff:

"We are shocked and appalled to learn that Jesus Navarro Montes was recently released by a Mexican Judge. Navarro Montes is a suspect in the murder of Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar. Agent Aguilar was killed in a heinous act of violence on January 19 in the Yuma Sector, while attempting to stop two vehicles that illegally entered the country and were absconding into Mexico.

We are working with a determined Mexican Government, and our Department of Justice, to seek swift justice for the Aguilar murder. We have also assured Agent Aguilar's family that every resource is being called upon in the relentless pursuit of justice.

Agent Aguilar's murder represents a tragic example of border violence. We are placing our highest priority on combating and ending the increase in violence, and the American public stands with the men and women of the Border Patrol as they carry out their heroic service."






http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_9695743

We are working with a determined Mexican Government, and our Department of Justice, to seek swift justice for the Aguilar murder. We have also assured Agent Aguilar's family that every resource is being called upon in the relentless pursuit of justice.

Yes, we can see how "determined" the mexican government was Michael Chertoff. Determined to set this murder free!

STOP PROTECTING MEXICO!