NEWS Release

U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick

House of Representative Seal
 

Representing North Carolina’s Ninth District                                                                        

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2007
Contact:  Andy Polk
(202) 225-1976
 

Myrick Meets with Border Agent Jose Compean Regarding His Conviction For Protecting Our Border

 
            (Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday Evening, U.S. Representative Sue Myrick (NC-9), and several other Members of Congress, met with Jose Alonso Compean regarding his conviction for shooting a illegal alien drug smuggler in self-defense.  They heard firsthand how this conviction has devastated his family.

 

            “It is tragic that these men were convicted for doing their job,” said Rep. Myrick.  “Here are two men who put their lives on the line for our country, yet the government turned their back on them.  That’s un-American.  I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure justice is done in this case, and these men are not sent to jail for defending themselves from attack while protecting our border.”

 

              Last February, Border Agents Jose Alonso Compean and Ignacio Ramos engaged a drug smuggler who was transporting 743 pounds of marijuana into the United States.  A gun fight ensued, and the smuggler fled back to Mexico.  Later, this smuggler came back into the United States and was given immunity in exchange for testifying that Compean and Ramos had shot him.  Despite the fact that the agents were assaulted, Compean and Ramos were convicted of assault with serious bodily injury and a civil rights violation.

 

            On January 17, 2007, both agents Ramos and Compean will turn themselves in to serve an 11 and 12 year jail sentence for doing their duty and protecting the US border.  Rep. Myrick, and several other Members of Congress, have sent letters to the President asking him to pardon these border agents.

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