Gohmert Says Drug Smuggler Should be Target of Prosecution

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) released the following statement concerning the bond hearing of Mexican drug smuggler Osvaldo Aldrete Davila known for his 2005 run in with now incarcerated Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean:

 “Illegal alien and drug smuggler Osvaldo Davila deserves to face the full force of the law without bond. Though Davila’s confrontation with Ramos and Compean was over two years ago justice in this situation has not made much progress: U.S. citizens are still outraged at our lack of border security our nation’s own agents are rotting in prison for attempting to enforce our laws and this drug smuggler is only now coming to trial after having many more opportunities to fill our streets with narcotics.”

“There is something deeply wrong when we allow unapologetic criminals to boldly make a mockery of the laws that have made this nation strong. Border security and immigration laws are meant to protect Americans not to be used against our own citizens or manipulated by those who want to destroy our way of life.”

Davila attempted in February 2005 to smuggle 750 pounds of marijuana across the U.S.-Mexico border when he was shot by American Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. Davila was given immunity and free healthcare to testify in court that the Agents attempted to cover up the shooting and they were sentenced to 11 and 12 years in prison respectively. U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton announced Davila’s arrest on November 15 2007 at the Ysleta Port of Entry in El Paso Texas.

Although portraying Davila as a victim at Ramos and Compean’s 2006 trial Sutton revealed in this month’s indictment notice that Davila was involved in multiple drug smuggling attempts in 2005.

Rep. Gohmert called on Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey in a press conference last month to conduct a “fair and unbiased” review of Agents Ramos and Compean’s questionable prosecution and confinement which Gohmert described as worse than treatment received by terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay detention facility. Their case is scheduled to be heard today before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

Rep. Gohmert strongly supports strict border control and is a cosponsor of The Save America with Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act. The bipartisan bill strengthens border security and calls for an increase of 8000 border patrol agents and outlines recruiting incentives. Rep. Gohmert serves on the Judiciary Resources and Small Business Committees and can be reached at http://gohmert.house.gov/.

**Photo: Rep.Gohmert speaking out at an October press conference against the mistreatment of Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean.