What are these people smoking?

During the course of his career, Border Patrol Agent Ignacio Ramos has helped to capture some 100 narcotics smugglers, along with thousands of pounds of their wares. In 2005, he was nominated for Border Patrol Agent of the Year. In addition to serving in the Border Patrol, he served eight years in the U.S. Naval Reserve. And how are we, the American people, going to thank Agent Ramos for his years of service to our country? By throwing him in prison for twenty years!

It seems that Mr. Ramos is guilty of shooting Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila in the buttocks. The way this came about was as follows: Mr. Aldrete-Davila, a Mexican citizen, was driving his van near El Paso, Texas, and aroused the suspicions of Border Patrol Agent Jose Alonso Compean. Mr. Compean called for back-up and began to follow Mr. Aldrete-Davila, who proceeded to flee. When he could not escape the Border Patrol by automobile, Mr. Aldrete-Davila decided to abandon his vehicle and run. In spite of being warned numerous times to stop, Mr. Aldrete-Davila continued to flee. When Mr. Compean caught up to him, Mr. Aldrete-Davila beat him bloody and resumed his flight.

Mr. Ramos arrived to find Mr. Compean lying on the ground, and Mr. Aldrete-Davila running from the scene. Mr. Ramos shot at him, but believed that he missed, because Mr. Aldrete-Davila continued to run. When the Border Patrol searched the van that Mr. Aldrete-Davila abandoned, they found 800 pounds of marijuana.

As it turns out, Mr. Aldrete-Davila was apparently wounded in the buttocks. He was given free treatment at an American military hospital. More than that, the U.S. Attorney's office granted him immunity from prosecution in exchange for testifying against agents Ramos and Compean.

So now agents Ramos and Compean are facing 20 years in prison. How, you may ask, could this be? Well, it had me stymied at first, but I think I've figured it out. The judge, prosecuting attorney, and jury must all be among Mr. Aldrete-Davila's customers! Naturally they're upset about the interruption in their supply, and they want to make sure it doesn't happen again. How else can you explain it?

If you think that the job of Border Patrol Agents is to patrol the borders and apprehend people like Mr. Aldrete-Davila, and you would like to help agents Ramos and Compean in their cause, go here. For you other folks: Sorry, but I don't have Mr. Aldrete-Davila's contact info handy.