WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today President George W. Bush commuted the prison sentences of U.S. Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean. The agents entered federal prison on January 17, 2007, to begin serving sentences of 11 and 12 years respectively for shooting and wounding an illegal alien drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across the U.S. border in 2005. Both men are expected to be released from prison in the next two months.

Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC), who has been an outspoken defender of Agents Ramos and Compean, issued the following statement:

“Like the millions of Americans who have followed this case over the past several years, I am so relieved to see the unjust imprisonment of these distinguished law enforcement officers finally come to an end. As these men sat in federal prison for two years, my heart has ached for them and their families. I am very grateful that President Bush has heeded the cries of the American people, and many of us in Congress, so these agents may be with their wives and children once again.”

“The prosecution and imprisonment of agents Ramos and Compean has been a black mark for the U.S. judicial system, and its legacy will not be forgotten by those of us who have long criticized the indictment of these two men. The facts of the case have shown – as Judge E. Grady Jolly stated on December 3, 2007, during the agents’ appeal – ‘the government overreacted here … for some reason, this one got out of hand.’ By attempting to apprehend an illegal alien drug smuggler, agents Ramos and Compean were enforcing our laws – not breaking them.”

“Many disturbing details of the Ramos and Compean case have garnered national attention and raised serious concerns over the lack of fairness in the proceedings against these two men – including the prosecution’s efforts to seek out and offer immunity to a habitual Mexican drug smuggler, a sealed indictment of the smuggler’s subsequent drug offenses and insufficient proof of whether or not the smuggler was unarmed, as he claimed at trial. And, as many are now aware, one of the most troubling aspects of this case was the prosecution’s overzealous use of the 18 U.S.C. 924(c) gun charge, which makes it a crime to use, carry or possess a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. This statute, which carries a mandatory sentence of no less than 10 years, was enacted by Congress to discourage criminals from carrying guns. It was never intended to apply to law enforcement officers who are required to carry firearms on the job. This was clearly a sentence Ramos and Compean should never have been ordered to serve.”

“I sincerely thank President Bush for using his authority to correct such a terrible injustice. My thoughts and prayers are with the Ramos and Compean families as they are finally able to close this ugly chapter in their lives.”

For additional information, or to schedule an interview with Congressman Walter B. Jones, please contact Kathleen Joyce at (202) 225-3415.