« Amazing times for the death penalty | Main | Will serious sentencing reform come to Colorado? »
January 26, 2007
Giving voice to Virginia Orwig
Commentors have been in fine form all week, but I wanted to close the week by bringing up to a post a comment from a woman who knows a lot more about harsh sentencing realities than I ever will. Here is Virginia Orwig's comment (in response to other comments) following this post on the furor over border agents' long sentences:
My son is Ignacio Ramos, Former Border Patrol Agent.
Unless you have walked in his shoes in that 15 second moment, I feel that you would have a different perspective, unless you have been in that same exact situation. Unless you were at the 2-3 week trial and heard the testimony that was allowed to be given by and at Judge Cardone's mercy, you would have heard the lies, speculations and the drama that the US attorney brought into the case. And the last item is the transcript. We have not been able to obtain the transcript from the Court house in El Paso Texas.
Many questions are up in the air by the US Attorney, but they have transformed this case into a card game and/or chess game. But most important, they have allowed an illegal drug smuggler's word over two good men fighting and protecting you and me.
I also found this blog seeking support for Ignacio Ramos and this site with a big picture of him hugging his wife and his mother.
January 26, 2007 at 05:12 PM | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451574769e200d8353d24a253ef
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Giving voice to Virginia Orwig:
Comments
The President has denied and refused to give my son, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, former border patrol agents, their pardon. They were sent to prison 14 months ago. They have been in solitary confinement since they started serving their sentence. These two brave men have been away from their wives and children too long. The President and his administration would not know anything about how people suffer whether it be emotionally, physically or financially. They refuse to see things the way they are in real life.
My son, Ignacio Ramos and his colleague, Jose Compean were devoted to their jobs and believed in the law. They upheld it and protected the American people from any one that would do harm in the United States of America.
Please let the President know that I am pleading to him for my son, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, for their freedom and to return them to their lives and family.
Lou Dobbs has been covering their story for the past two years.
I challenge you. What would you do if you were in my shoes? How would you protect your children from terrorists if the Border Patrol agents are not allowed to do their job? How would you feel if the US Attorney, and everyone else down the line, including the Attorney General, etc., is a friend of the President? How would you explain it to your grandchildren who miss their fathers everyday of their lives?
I hope you are able to take it to heart and think about how you would feel if you were in prison for doing your job?
To Who It May Concern:
Family Travesty
by Virginia Oriwg Thursday, Jun. 01, 2006 at 9:32 AM
[email protected] 9158228918
ON March 18, 2005, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., many lives were changed. Families and friends of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, former Border Patrol Agents, were caught in a whirlwind of turmoil and chaos. The traumatic event did not impact lives more than what it did to Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.
Christopher Sanchez of The Homeland Security Agency (OIG) arrested Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean with allegations that were unfounded. OIG accused Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, former Border Patrol agents, of assaulting a known and illegal drug smuggler, Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, from Mexico. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean were arrested in a swat type manner, surrounding their home and traumatizing their families, as they witnessed this travesty. OIG arrived at Ignacio Ramos’ and Jose Compean's respective homes in a hostile form and fashion. They drove up to the respective homes of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean with several official cars and lighting up the entire neighborhood with their drama. The arresting officers were belligerent and acted unprofessional with Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. The families of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean included wives, children and extended family members that were witnessing this nightmare. They witnessed the lack of respect and disregard of Ignacio Ramos’ and Jose Compean's civil and human rights.
Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean were interrogated by Christopher Sanchez, OIG Officer, for several hours without due process. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean were booked and detained at the El Paso County Detention Center for seven (7) days before having a bond hearing. The U.S. Attorney made strict stipulations for Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean's bond and their allowance. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean were required to pay a $35,000.00 security bond. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean were released with a security ankle bracelet. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean were remanded to home arrest for several months.
The preliminary hearing for probable cause was held on March 30, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. The U.S. Attorney determined that there was probable cause after hearing the testimony of the Homeland Security Agent, Christopher Sanchez. Mr. Sanchez stated that Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean were alleged to have assaulted and shot, Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, a known and illegal drug smuggler from Mexico.
Christopher Sanchez said he learned of this incident through a Border Patrol Agent in Wilcox, Arizona, Rene Sanchez. Christopher Sanchez claimed that there was no relation between he and Rene Sanchez. Rene Sanchez of Wilcox, Arizona learned of this incident through a friend of his mother-in-law's friend of a friend.
Christopher Sanchez spoke with Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, the known and illegal drug smuggler, prior to and again on March 16, 2005. Osvaldo Aldrete Davila did not cooperate with Christopher Sanchez. Osvaldo Aldrete Davila did not tell Christopher Sanchez the truth about the 700-800 pounds of marijuana. Osvaldo Aldrete Davila did not tell Christopher Sanchez the truth about the names of the persons that picked him up at the Mexican side of the border. Osvaldo Aldrete Davila did not tell Christopher Sanchez what clinic treated him in Juarez. Osvaldo Aldrete Davila did not tell Christopher Sanchez the truth about the truck that was waiting for Osvaldo Aldrete Davila in Fabens. Osvaldo Aldrete Davila did not tell the truth about anything. Christopher Sanchez found that Osvaldo Aldrete Davila had lied to him on several occasions
However, Osvaldo Aldrete Davila was given immunity from any criminal wrongdoing. Osvaldo Aldrete Davila was given free medical care at William Beaumont Hospital in El Paso, Texas. Osvaldo Aldrete Davila has filed a $5 million dollar law suit against the Border Patrol.
Several Border Patrol agents in the Fabens sector have been investigated and have been on administrative leave with pay. The Border Patrol Agents were given immunity for their testimony against Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. These Border Patrol Agents have given several different versions of their statements to Christopher Sanchez, OIG officer. These Border Patrol Agents gave different versions of their statements to the U.S. Attorney at the trial as well.
Although Christopher Sanchez, OIG, knew that Osvaldo Aldrete Davila was lying as well as Border Patrol Agents and Supervisors, on March 18, 2005, Christopher Sanchez determined that an arrest was warranted for Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, former agents from the Fabens sector in El Paso County, Texas.
The government gave immunity to Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, the known and illegal drug smuggler from Mexico in return for his testimony against Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. Osvaldo Aldrete Davila was allowed to return to Mexico after testifying without being charged with any crime. To date, the whereabouts of this known and illegal drug smuggler from Mexico is unknown. Osvaldo Aldrete Davila is free to enter the United States' borders at his will.
The government has given immunity to Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, a known and admitted illegal drug smuggler from Mexico in return for his testimony against Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. Why is the U.S. Attorney making deals with known and admitted drug smugglers? Does a drug smuggler have more credibility than Federal Agents? Do we only focus on the war on drugs when it is convenient or during elections? And more important, why does the U.S. Border Patrol in the El Paso Sector under the guidance of Chief Luis Barker treat Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean guilty prior to investigating? Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean were suspended without pay by Chief Luis Barker, without any due process. Without pay, it makes it very difficult for Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean to justly defend themselves and still support their families. Chief Barker shows of his willingness to quickly crucify Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, his own Agents for the sake of politics and at the behest of Mexican Consulate. Apparently, the Chief of the Border Patrol thinks a drug smuggler has more credibility than the agents that he supervised. Perhaps Chief Barker would have preferred Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean to have been harmed. Maybe Chief Barker finds it easier to apologize to Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean's widow and children than to
stand up for what is right, ethically and morally, so as not to disrupt the frail policies involved in what Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean have done.
Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean with their families and friends, pray that this horrific travesty will be over. It is not only the families that are being affected. It is the entire border of the United States of America. It is allowing the illegal immigrants to come into our country and receive benefits. It is allowing the illegal immigrants to get job and employment opportunities. It is allowing the illegal immigrants to drive in our country without insurance. It is allowing the illegal immigrants to get free education, free medical, free housing, free food, and, most of all, freedom to transport and import their illegal transactions. They are allowed to have our homes vandalized. They are allowed to steal our automobiles and take them to Mexico. They are allowed to do more in our country than we are. We are American Citizens. We should have rights over and above any other "illegal immigrant" here in the United States of America.
Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean's jury trial begun on February 21, 2006. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean's jury trial was held at the Federal Court, Judge Kathleen Cardone, presiding, in El Paso County, Texas. Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, the known and illegal smuggler was given immunity for his testimony against Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. The U.S. Attorney's office had Border Agents from the Fabens sector in El Paso County as their witnesses, and they were given immunity for their testimony against Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. The U.S. Attorney's had two supervisors of the Border Patrol from the Fabens sector as their witnesses to testify against Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. Chief Barker of the El Paso Sector testified against Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. The Border Patrol never, at any time, supported Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, former agents from the Fabens sector in El Paso County, Texas
Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean have always been considered guilty in the eyes of this ludicrous system. OIG and the U.S. Attorney made a case against them to make Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean scapegoats of this system.
The United States of America should stand behind Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean for all purposes and justifications. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean must be relieved and should be commended for doing their job. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean put their lives at risk every minute of their jobs. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean do not deserve to go through this travesty. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, had they died in the line of duty, would have been honored as “heroes”.
Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean urge everyone to inform all your government agencies, Governor Perry, Congressmen Silvestre Reyes, and all your State and City representatives. We cannot continue to breach our rights for ulterior governmental motives.
On March 15. 2006 at 2:15 p.m., the jury found Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean guilty. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean are not guilty. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean deserve to be heard and supported by all who believe in them. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, had they died, would have been honored as “heroes”. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean‘s sentencing hearing will be on July 11, 2006 at 9:00 a.m.
Please pray for Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. Ignacio Ramos with his wife and three children, and Jose Compean with his wife, two children and one on the way are all fighting for their rights and their lives.
We are pleading for your support. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean urge you to write letters on their behalf. Thank you.
Virginia Orwig
(Mother of Ignacio Ramos)
4600 Marissa Dr.
El Paso, Texas 79924
915-822-8918
Posted by: Virginia Orwig | Mar 19, 2008 2:53:10 PM
