Dear Posse,
INJUSTICE CONTINUES
Early Monday afternoon Monica Ramos, wife of former Border Patrol agent Ignacio (Nacho) Ramos, notified me that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans rejected the appeal.
I was able to spend several hours with Monica and her parents. This has certainly been devastating news for the Ramos family and, I'm sure, for the family of Jose Compean,
NACHO NOTIFIED
Tara Setmayer, Communications Director for Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, was informed shortly before her phone call with Nacho, which is scheduled each Monday. She was asked by Nacho's attorney to give him the news since the attorney was not able to get through to him. This has been a huge blow.
ABOUT FACE
The Fifth Circuit did exactly the opposite of what was expected. During the presentation of the appeal, two of the three justices criticized the U.S. Attorney for prosecuting these agents, let alone for charging the former agents with a statute that adds a mandatory sentence of 10 years for the use of a gun in the commission of a crime. Congress even let the Fifth Circuit know their intent was NEVER that this could be applied to law enforcement officers who carry a weapon on their job. What happened, you ask? I ask, who got to them?
IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN
Because this was not overturned, it has now become case law. The message is loud and clear. Any law enforcement officer can have this same statute applied to his or her case. In fact, Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar, Jr. was run over and killed last year in Arizona while several other agents were on the scene. Not one agent drew his weapon to stop the illegal alien. Why? They were afraid. Why? Joe and Nacho had already been convicted, and the officers did not want to face the same kind of prosecution (persecution?). This did not have to be a conscious thought. It's in there, and it affects the officers. BTW, the Mexican government in June freed the man seen running over Aguilar with a Hummer loaded with drugs near Yuma on Jan. 19, 2008, apparently because U.S. authorities had not requested his extradition.
THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S
Please pray for Nacho and Joe, and for their families. The battle is the Lord's, yet this has been a long process. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals took 7 ½ months to make a decision. We will hear in the days ahead what form the process will now take.
As I met with the realtor/member of the Posse who is going to handle the rental of the Ramos home (since Monica has moved to be closer to Nacho), she shared how shaken she was when the news broke. As she looked to the Lord, this is what He said.
"I have a plan. I have spoken. Do not trust in man."
Posse, please pray that the Lord will send a renter for their home, so they will not have to give it up.
THE PLAN
Sept. 21, 2006, well after the trial and while waiting for sentencing, we invited a ministry leader from Connecticut to join us in our home to pray for Monica and Nacho. Bob did not know anything about the case, but the Lord spoke to him as he prepared for the meeting.
These are some of the notes I took.
Ø you're a victim of corruption
Ø money was exchanged over this
Ø someone is going for career advancement
Ø you were heading towards great promotion (because of your character and reputation)
Ø this is going to go way beyond you
Ø God allowed you to be chosen for this
Ø God can use "them" for your advantage
Ø this will be used to make changes that should have been made before
Ø you will testify again but not as a defendant
Ø case goes deeper/corruption will be exposed
Ø inquiry at state or federal level
Ø be prepared - see as spiritual issue
Ø because you passed test of integrity, now God can use you
Ø prosecutor sees this as a step up
Ø you will testify to young people (gangs) who are going in wrong direction - to choose life not death
Ø God put you in the spotlight even though you don't like it
Ø you didn't ask for this - Joseph was falsely accused
Ø God will use this for good
Ø God will win this for you, not lawyers
Ø Sense integrity in your heart
Ø your record is going to be set straight, spread about
Ø there are even things you weren't rewarded for yet, like a soldier who went to war but didn't receive medals yet
PRAY
Ø corruption to be revealed
Ø people with wrong motives be exposed
Ø God will bring necessary changes to system
DOBBS AND BECK
Today's Lou Dobbs and Glenn Beck television programs carried the strongest response to this injustice I have seen to date. I was shocked and grateful. Several Congressmen were guests, and one thing is clear. Not only have they not given up, they have renewed their passion to fight for justice.
PRAISE THE LORD!
LET'S ENCOURAGE NACHO
Please consider writing an encouraging letter to Nacho and Joe. I have Nacho's information, but Joe's should be available on the Internet. If it is not, please send me a note and I should be able locate it. They are both believers with Catholic background.
If you include so much as a bookmark it will not be delivered, so please just send a letter or a card.
DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS
Nacho is in a 5 X 10 cell. No windows. That includes his bed (1 blanket on a cot-no pillow) and toilet. He gets 1 (yes, one) clean jumpsuit per month. He is allowed out of his cell for 1 hour 3 times each week, during which time he showers. His food is baked into a loaf, though he does not know what it is. In prison, if an inmate throws his food at a guard or causes trouble they punish him by baking ingredients that are supposed to include needed nutrients into a loaf with no regard for the taste. Nacho does not throw his food or cause any trouble, but that is all he's given to eat. When his family visits he is not allowed to touch them.
I have heard Joe's situation might not be as severe, but it is still not good.
NACHO'S ADDRESS
Ignacio Ramos #58079-180
FCI Phoenix
Federal Correctional Institution
37910 N. 45th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85086
CONSPIRACY THEORY
We need to stay alert to the reality that this case has significance WAY beyond the natural realm. As our borders are weakened and blurred it will become easier to convince us the way to be protected is to accept the security (Security and Prosperity Partnership signed in Waco in 2003 by the US/MX Presidents and the Canadian Prime Minister which is an extension of NAFTA) afforded by the merging of our economies and the agencies/military forces charged with protecting us.
For our King and His Kingdom,
Pam