Dear Posse,
On August 6, I attended the sentencing hearing for Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila, the drug smuggler in the Ramos-Compean case.
I found myself back in the courtroom where the two former Border Patrol agents were unjustly tried and unjustly convicted. Soon 5 shackled and handcuffed men were led into the courtroom. Aldrete-Davila was first in line, though his sentencing was last.
We saw a little picture of what U.S. District Courts in border cities face each day.
All needed translation.
All pled guilty and "took responsibility" for their deeds.
All pled for leniency.
All promised they would never enter this country illegally again if they were released or given the shortest possible sentence, etc. And they
all broke my heart.
The first young man to be sentenced has already had 4 removals from the US. His previous incarcerations were 9 days, 53 days and 6 months. He received the top of the sentencing guideline this time, 14 months.
Another young man had been arrested for human smuggling (he brought people into the US who wanted to come - trafficking would be bringing them against their will). He is 19, the oldest of 9 children, who claimed he was trying to help his farm-laborer father by finding ways to support the family. He also has 2 children of his own. One is 18 months old, and the 5 month old child was born while he spent the past 6 months in custody in El Paso. His sentence was 8 months incarceration.
When Aldrete-Davila stood before the judge he pled guilty to crossing 4 loads of drugs into the US. His attorney claimed his role was minor, picking up the drugs from point A and driving them to point B, and should be considered such for the sentencing. The government attorney showed that Aldrete-Davila was paid $1500 for crossing a load, while the person with the stash house was paid $500. Osvaldo also claimed through his attorney that he did not do this for a living but for economic need and that it was his first time before the court. He claimed his life had been threatened and stated his mother died as a result of the threats. He said he crossed again to cover the load of drugs he lost in Feb. 2005. The government pointed out the large quantity of drugs Osvaldo was smuggling and his repeated criminal conduct. The judge agreed with the prosecutor and denied Osvaldo's request for minor role status. He received 2 consecutive sentences of 57 months or 9 ½ years.
ISSUES INTERSECT, PEOPLE INTERSECT Why would I attend the sentencing hearing of this drug-smuggler when I could read about it in the paper the next day?
1) Monica asked me to be there.
2) This is a pivotal case.
Somehow the
issues of lawlessness, injustice, immigration/illegal immigration, border security, the North American Union, and the abandonment of law enforcement along the southern border all
intersect around this case. AND, the Lord is causing
people to
intersect because of this case who have a significant role to play in the days ahead.
BUILD A FOLLOWING
A couple of weeks ago the Lord spoke to me that it was time to build a following for the Border Sheriff's Posse. He also knows I can't do that on my own.
Please consider helping by forwarding this email to those on your list with a note from you encouraging them to join the Posse. They can click on the "Subscribe" link at the end of the email and can email
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If you are led to pray for me, the foundation of my life is to hear and obey the voice of the Lord.
Every member of the Posse is significant. We are being brought together for the winter season in this nation.
Once again, my heart cries out like Paul for Timothy,
"Come before winter."
Pam