KINGSTON HAILS BORDER AGENT CLEMENCY
Congressman urged President to pardon Ramos, Compean
Washington, D.C.,
Jan 19 -
Congressman Jack Kingston (R/GA-1) today hailed the announcement that President Bush granted clemency to Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. The two border agents were convicted in 2005 for shooting an admitted Mexican drug dealer as he fled across the Rio Grande.
“I am glad that justice was served,” Congressman Kingston said. “This announcement sends a good signal to the border that law and order is important. That’s why I’ve joined my colleagues from both sides to make sure our border agents know they’ve got our full support in doing their job.”
Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean were convicted of shooting Osvaldoa Aldrete Davila as he fled across the Rio Grande, away from an abandoned van load of marijuana. The border agents argued during their trial that they believed that the smuggler was armed and shot him in self defense. Despite entering the country illegally with nearly $1 million in marijuana, Davila was granted immunity for his testimony against the border agents.
In a fact-finding mission to El Paso, Texas in 2006, Congressman Kingston met with the wives and families of the two men. Since the meeting, Congressman Kingston worked with members from both sides of the aisle to fight for their release.
The Justice Department has indicated that the commutation granted for the two men means their prison sentences will expire on March 20.
