Three Border Patrol Heroes Get Federal Prison Sentences

The Outrageous Travesty of Justice All American Citizens Should Know About

Three American heroes are serving time in prison, their lives ruined, for protecting our country. I was filled with shock and outrage as the story of sheriff deputy Gilmer Hernandez was aired on America's Most Wanted. This man deserves a medal of honor, not a sentence in federal prison!

A small town boy, growing up in Rocksprings, Texas, (population 1,200) an apologetic Gilmer told the mostly sobbing court room in Del Rio, Texas on Monday, March 19, 2007, "I looked up to sheriff Letsinger and always wanted to be a sheriff." Now his dream will never be realized, as he can never serve in law enforcement again short of a presidential pardon. You will find a link to sign the petition begging the president to pardon this hero later in the story along with the presidents email address.

Judge Dawson expressed sympathy and handed down the lightest judgment allowable by law, 366 days in federal prison. Prosecuting US attorney Johnny Sutton was trying for the maximum seven to ten year sentences. You will be hearing more about attorney Sutton later in this story as he is also connected to the two other cases as well.

The judge had received over 200 letters from Gilmer's supporters begging not to ruin Gilmer's career with a prison sentence. There were over 100 supporters outside with signs. The travesty of justice took place in just two short hours, a man's life was destroyed, his wife and baby daughter left to continue receiving the charity of the town's small Baptist church that is paying the mortgage and legal bills. The pastor of that church, Albert Green, said, "Our deputy is in jail for doing his job."

Attorney Jimmy Parks cried as he addressed the courtroom, saying things such as no good would come of putting him in prison, he would be hurt, his family needed him, and that he had apologized for his split second decision of April 2005 when Gilmer fired at an escaping car's tire he had pulled over, which barely missed his foot, in an attempt to stop the vehicle, which was filled with illegal immigrants.