Andrew Tahmooressi
America has provided foreign aid, comfort, safe harbor and a promising future to millions of Mexican citizens over generations. Today on the border American Citizens are funding efforts to care for children, stop drug cartels based in Mexico and generally provide for those that wish to leave Mexico and other countries in South America. In return, the Mexican Government apparently feels free to evilly abuse American Citizens.
It may be time to stop doing any business with Mexico – no foreign aid – no tourism – end it all. If they do not respect our citizens then they are not worthy to receive our business or our tax money. This change in attitude is suggested if not demanded by the treatment of Andrew Tahmooressi, an active duty decorated veteran who continues to be held on unjust fabricated charges by the Mexican judicial system.
Fox News reports:
A Mexican federal judge yesterday sent Andrew Tahmooressi back to prison after the U.S. Marine sergeant made his first official courtroom appearance since being locked up more than three months ago for accidentally crossing the border with guns in his pickup truck.
The 26-year-old veteran of two tours in Afghanistan was finally able to tell his story to a judge, after his case had been delayed by both Mexico’s unpredictable legal system and his own trouble settling on a lawyer. It was not immediately clear what Tahmooressi said at the evidentiary hearing, which was closed to the public. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for August 4.
Despite the judge’s ruling, Tahmooressi’s attorney, Fernando Benitez, told reporters that he was confident that the Marine’s case was on the right track. Benitez said that his client’s statement to the judge was “sound and made perfect sense,” and claimed that irregularities with Tahmooressi’s detention were grounds for dismissal of the case. The attorney said that his client was not provided with consular services for nearly eight hours after he was detained, nor did he have access to an adequate translator.
In addition, Benitez said that the order to search Tahmooressi’s vehicle was dated March 28, three days before the Marine crossed the border.
Benitez had earlier sought to dampen hopes that federal Judge Victor Octavio Luna Escobedo would free Tahmooressi, although supporters, including his mother, Jill Tahmooressi, had held out hope.
Tahmooressi has been held since March 31, when he accidentally drove into Mexico at the San Ysidro, Calif., Port of Entry late March 31, after becoming disoriented from poorly lit street signs and being in a position on the road unable to make a last ditch U-turn. His family believes his post-traumatic stress disorder also may have contributed to his confusion. He was charged with violating Mexico’s strict gun laws because he had three registered guns, along with all his worldly possessions, in his vehicle.
Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi
Click here for more from Fox News.
The Blaze is also following this story here.
Memorial Day tribute to Sgt. Tahmooressi was posted on Tulsa Today here.