Rohrabacher Outraged Over Ruling: Ramos & Compean Decision Released, 10 Year Gun Charge Affirmed

Press Release

Today, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals released its decision in the Ramos and Compean case. The Court affirmed all convictions except those for tampering with an official proceeding, which were vacated. The ruling affirms the 18 U.S.C 924(c), mandatory minimum ten year sentence for the unlawful discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) has issued the following statement:

"Unfortunately, the Court has sided with the prosecutors who threw the book at the good guys and the good guys have lost this round. This makes President Bush's role in this miscarriage of justice even worse. Affirming U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton's decision to give the benefit of the doubt to an illegal alien drug smuggler in order to win at all costs and destroy the lives of our brave border agents simply magnifies the horrible travesty this really is.

"The fact the judges couldn't bring themselves to recognize that the 924(c) gun charge was never intended to be used against law enforcement officers engaged in a legitimate deadly force situation demonstrates the need for Congress to take legislative action to correct any further ambiguity in the law.

"I renew my call for the President to do the right thing and immediately pardon Ramos and Compean."

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