The Associated Press reports that the two unjustly imprisoned Border Patrol agents, Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos, have had their sentences commuted by President Bush.

The New American magazine has followed their story since the incident that led to their imprisonment. America's Most Wanted Host John Walsh has cited The New American magazine's coverage. Once the magazine had reported on the border agents, it didn't take long for Walsh to take up the cause and devote airtime to getting the former agents released. They were convicted of wrongfully shooting a drug smuggler attempting to cross into the United States.

The New American reported: “the drug smuggler, Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila, was in the act of transporting one million dollars’ worth of marijuana when intercepted by the two agents. When Ramos believed the man was about to shoot him, he fired and one of his bullets hit the fleeing smuggler in the buttocks. Aldrete-Davila nevertheless escaped across the border, not seriously hurt. U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton charged the two men with acting without supervisor approval, moving spent shell casings, and not properly reporting that they had fired shots at a suspect.”

“The convictions of Ramos and Compean have been questioned by many who insist that jurors were not informed of Aldrete-Davila’s continued drug trafficking and were not told that the Border Patrol agent who testified against the two men was a life-long friend of the smuggler.” Christian Pastor Don Swarthout, who filed an ethics complaint against Sutton, wondered back in June 2008 why several jurors claim they were pressured to render a guilty verdict.

The two former agents, serving 11- and 12-year sentences in solitary confinement in federal prisons, are expected to be freed within two months.

Members of many organizations, including The John Birch Society, have called for the release of the two for over two years. Calls to action have finally been heard!

This is just one more successful example of organized grassroots action and why you need to be involved. Join the JBS Community today.

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Pat Henry said:

	Yeah! Great news! I hope the TNA does an interview with them right away. Maybe they'll publicly join the JBS.
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January 19, 2009
Votes: +2

Lal Wynstrom said:

Vindicated at last! But only partially. President Bush's commutation of the agents, though welcomed at long last!- does not fully pardon these men or state that they acted with propriety and in good faith. In fact the White House publicly stated that the president firmly believes the agents got a fair trial and a just sentence but that they'd already suffered enough. This was a calculated political move on Mr. Bush's very last day in office, maybe even an attempt to salvage some of what remains of his already tarnished historical legacy. Nothing more. Still it is a victory for those who believe in the legitimate rule of law and we should celebrate with the families of Ramos and Compean. I for one am glad to see that our petitions, long rebuffed, have finally been heard and vindicated.

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January 20, 2009
Votes: +3

GaryRLewis said:

	Made my day Brought a tear to my eye. I wrote both of them a letter (courtesy of The New American). I love using quotes whenever I write and in both letters I included 'A hero does what needs to be done when it needs to be done regardless of the consequences'.
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January 21, 2009
Votes: +1

us_and_them said:

	One day too long I am glad to see these men finally free! Thank you President Bush, and shame on you for even letting it happen! Those two men spent one day too long in prison, and for what? Trying to protect our borders. I hope that notch in your belt looks good Johnny Sutton, hopefully it will happen to you one day.
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January 23, 2009
Votes: +0