The Department of Justice, United States Attorney Johnny Sutton and his successor, John E. Murphy are doing the bidding of the Mexican Consulate and our federal government in prosecuting yet another U.S. Border Patrol agent, Jesus E. Diaz Jr.
On October 16, 2008, Agent Diaz responded to a call in the Eagle Pass area where he apprehended and handcuffed an individual attempting to illegally cross the border into Texas. The New American reports, “In the dark, with an unknown number of suspects/assailants, the officer must try to keep all senses alert to potential threats.” Reports say Agent Diaz “lifted the handcuffs” to gain physical control of the uncooperative suspect. Twelve hours later, the Mexican Consulate office filed a complaint alleging that Agent Diaz had used excessive and unnecessary force while beating the suspect in the ribs. Both the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility investigated the complaint and cleared Agent Diaz. A year after the incident, in what must have been a surreal moment for Agent Diaz, Sutton’s office indicted him for assault and depriving the suspect of his constitutional right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by one acting under color of law. According to a Human Events editorial by Roger Hedgecock, “A trial in September 2010 resulted in a mistrial. The case was retried in February 2011. Witnesses changed their stories. Some admitted they had lied to a grand jury. As in the Ramos and Compean cases, the judge filtered what the jury heard. Diaz was convicted. The “victim” got a visa and is free to enter the U.S. any time. Diaz will be sentenced this September and faces 10 to 35 years in federal prison.”
The New American reports “This war started late in the Clinton administration, exploded during the George W. Bush administration, and has continued under Barack Obama’s administration. The Department of Justice has failed to use its power against terrorists, drug and human traffickers, or illegal aliens. Instead they abuse their power against law-enforcement officers doing their jobs.”
Grassroots and TEA Party activists frequently demonstrate their anger and outrage towards Washington D.C. for such miscarriages of justice. However, the question is, when will we start to lay some of that blame at the feet of elected officials in Texas? Jose Compean, Ignacio Ramos, Gil Hernandez and Jesus Diaz ARE TEXANS!
How long will we stand quietly by as brave fellow Texans are imprisoned for protecting our state?
For all those Texas politicians waving the “Don’t Tread on Me” banner and stumping on the 10th Amendment, where is your outrage? What action did they take in the most recent legislative session or the one before that or the one before that to protect Texas’ border and those who defend it?
It is time for new leadership in Texas and in Washington D.C. The filing deadline to be on the ballot in 2012 is December 12, 2011.
