Post by unlawflcombatnt on Mar 12, 2007 3:27:47 GMT -6
Apparently the malicious and unjustified prosecution of Border Patrol agents Ramos and Compean is just the beginning of the Bush Corporatocracy's war against the U.S. Border Patrol, and the war against those that are fighting to reduce illegal immigration. In December of 2006, another Border Patrol agent was also convicted for the "onerous" crime of doing his job. In this case the victim of this malicious prosecution was Rocksprings, Texas, Deputy Sheriff Gilmer Hernandez. Below is a partial excerpt from the article.
"the town of Rocksprings, Texas is a small town – population 1,200 – with a tough battle on its hands. It's an old wool-shipping center where God, church and the border are at the center of life. The Edwards County Sheriff's Office keeps watch over the city with just three deputies, and most of the department's cases have to do with illegal immigrants. These deputies are the officers on the front lines, keeping watchful for terrorists, illegal immigrants and gangs coming across the border from Mexico. One of the deputies on the force, Gilmer Hernandez, earned $20,000 a year trying to keep order in Rocksprings. Day and night, Hernandez would struggle with illegal immigrants trying to come into Rocksprings. It's a dangerous assignment, but Hernandez was happy to do it.
The fight to keep illegal immigrants out is a tough one -- especially considering those "coyotes" in the business of human trafficking can net $2,000 a person.
One Fateful Night
Gilmer Hernandez is a committed family man, seen here with his mother after graduating the Police Academy.
On the night of April 14, 2005, Deputy Sheriff Hernandez was on routine patrol. In the stillness of the vast desert night, a speeding Suburban ran through a red light, and Deputy Hernandez stopped the vehicle. Investigators say that, as he walked to the driver's side, the vehicle peeled away, almost running over his foot. The lawman fired several shots -- one of which blew out the rear tire, just like in the movies.
The vehicle stopped, and eight or nine illegal immigrants jumped out and took off running into the sagebrush. According to reports, one illegal immigrant, a woman named Marcela Rodriguez Garcia, remained in the back seat of the car. She was hit by one of the bullets, and it shattered some of her teeth. She was treated at the hospital, and was released to the care of her husband. Deputy Hernandez reported the incident to his supervisors, who -- according to procedure -- called the state to investigate.
But within days, the federal government was investigating too. The Mexican consulate had sent a letter to local and federal law enforcement officials in Texas demanding a full investigation. The U.S. Attorney's office charged Deputy Hernandez with violating the civil rights of the woman in the back seat of the car. Prosecutors say that, because the agent's life was not in danger, he shouldn't have shot at the vehicle. Defense attorneys argue he was doing his job, and he did believe that his life was in danger.
Surprisingly, on December 1, 2006, a jury convicted Hernandez. He'll be sentenced in March, and he could face up to a decade in prison.
...."
"the town of Rocksprings, Texas is a small town – population 1,200 – with a tough battle on its hands. It's an old wool-shipping center where God, church and the border are at the center of life. The Edwards County Sheriff's Office keeps watch over the city with just three deputies, and most of the department's cases have to do with illegal immigrants. These deputies are the officers on the front lines, keeping watchful for terrorists, illegal immigrants and gangs coming across the border from Mexico. One of the deputies on the force, Gilmer Hernandez, earned $20,000 a year trying to keep order in Rocksprings. Day and night, Hernandez would struggle with illegal immigrants trying to come into Rocksprings. It's a dangerous assignment, but Hernandez was happy to do it.
The fight to keep illegal immigrants out is a tough one -- especially considering those "coyotes" in the business of human trafficking can net $2,000 a person.
One Fateful Night
Gilmer Hernandez is a committed family man, seen here with his mother after graduating the Police Academy.
On the night of April 14, 2005, Deputy Sheriff Hernandez was on routine patrol. In the stillness of the vast desert night, a speeding Suburban ran through a red light, and Deputy Hernandez stopped the vehicle. Investigators say that, as he walked to the driver's side, the vehicle peeled away, almost running over his foot. The lawman fired several shots -- one of which blew out the rear tire, just like in the movies.
The vehicle stopped, and eight or nine illegal immigrants jumped out and took off running into the sagebrush. According to reports, one illegal immigrant, a woman named Marcela Rodriguez Garcia, remained in the back seat of the car. She was hit by one of the bullets, and it shattered some of her teeth. She was treated at the hospital, and was released to the care of her husband. Deputy Hernandez reported the incident to his supervisors, who -- according to procedure -- called the state to investigate.
But within days, the federal government was investigating too. The Mexican consulate had sent a letter to local and federal law enforcement officials in Texas demanding a full investigation. The U.S. Attorney's office charged Deputy Hernandez with violating the civil rights of the woman in the back seat of the car. Prosecutors say that, because the agent's life was not in danger, he shouldn't have shot at the vehicle. Defense attorneys argue he was doing his job, and he did believe that his life was in danger.
Surprisingly, on December 1, 2006, a jury convicted Hernandez. He'll be sentenced in March, and he could face up to a decade in prison.
...."