Mexico frees agent’s alleged killer By VICTOR MORALES, Staff Writer
Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:09 PM PDT
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff issued a strongly worded statement Wednesday on the release of a Mexican man suspected of killing a Yuma Sector Border Patrol agent in the Imperial Sand Dunes west of Winterhaven.
“We are shocked and appalled to learn that Jesus Navarro Montes was recently released by a Mexican judge,” Chertoff said.
The 22-year-old Navarro Montes, an alleged narcotics smuggler, is suspected of running over 32-year-old Agent Luis Aguilar in a Hummer while fleeing agents on the morning of Jan. 19.
Aguilar, a six-year veteran of the Border Patrol, was deploying a tire deflation device when he was killed.
Reasons for the release were unknown as of press time. Officials at two of Mexico’s judicial departments referred an inquiry to each other.
“There has been no official word on the reasons at this point in time,” said Roberto Aguilar, a spokesman for Mexico’s Counsel of the Federal Judgeship in Mexico City.
Aguilar was a husband and the father of two small children.
“We are working with a determined Mexican government, and our Department of Justice, to seek swift justice for the Aguilar murder.
“We have also assured Agent Aguilar’s family that every resource is being called upon in the relentless pursuit of justice,” Chertoff said.
Navarro Montes was arrested in Sonora, Mexico, three days after Aguilar was fatally struck.
Navarro Montes allegedly entered the sand dunes from Mexicali before being detected and pursued by agents.
His release did not sit well with the union that represents Border Patrol agents.
“We certainly feel it’s a continuation of the lack of cooperation of Mexico on immigration as well as the U.S. in releasing suspects.
“They have never been cooperative,” said Executive Vice President Rich Pierce of the National Border Patrol Council.
" DACE you never have anything intelligent to say. All of your knowledge comes from watching TV and what you hear your friends talk about. You never post anything that would show you have half a brain. never. You must be related to Missy-y. Don't bother responding. I'll change my opinion of you when you contribute intelligent conversation. Until then tell your mom I said hi. "
dace35 wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:03 AM:
" 619 green go :The Reagans did not start the just say no campaign it was JOSE CARO QUINTERO if it wasn't for him killing Camarena the Reagans would've never gotten involved.So give the credit to the drug kingpin JOSE CARO QUINTERO. "
rawr wrote on Jul 1, 2008 4:45 AM:
" The U.S govt needs to have the balls to do what Regan once did... close the border for a day.... Things change real fast... when you have a dependent country... "
619 green go wrote on Jun 30, 2008 10:08 AM:
" Thegarz-thats already been tried. It was called "Just Say No" campaign. The Reagans started it after Kiki Camarena was slain in Mexico by the cartel. In trying to negotiate with Mexico to bring the responsible party to justice, like that was going to work. The U.S Gov was told to pound sand and fix your own problems. although I to belive we should educate our children, The truth is that social problem will always exist. Like prostitution. They key, I believe is. Stiffer penalty for drug crimes. drugs kill. Drug dealers kill. simple Wont solve the addiction problem. But i would get relief knowing at least were doing somthing about it. "
einheriar wrote on Jun 29, 2008 10:47 PM:
" cubano, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI are in charge of the investigation, not the Border Patrol. "
thegarz wrote on Jun 29, 2008 10:30 PM:
" I am for letting the BP guys carry LAWS and/or RPG's that we confiscate from Iraqi Insurgents....why not? One or two blown up drug-laden SUV's and you will see a dramatic change in the smuggling game. Yes, we DO have to curb our appetite for drugs in this country...start with educating our youngsters 24/7 about drugs the way we made it socially unacceptable to smoke. Other ideas? "
619 green go wrote on Jun 29, 2008 5:37 PM:
" Wow chuleton, very insightful. Fix the problem here and the smuggling stops. Im sure they haven't thought of that.
Seriously you have to put more thought into it. So how do you suppose we fix the problem? "
chuleton wrote on Jun 29, 2008 4:25 AM:
" did this officer have a back up? i feel bad for his family, but the U.S. is a country with drug addicts and while there is a need there will be a supply...fix your problem and the smuggling will stop! "
cubano wrote on Jun 29, 2008 12:24 AM:
" I heard the Border Patrol is some what at fault for not hurrying up with the extradition process. Not sure if that is true. I heard the suspect was in custody for 3 months and nothing was done by the Border Patrol. "
einheriar wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:39 PM:
" Check this out if you think this is an "isolated incident." Too bad this hasn't been updated since 2004, but I'm sure you can see a pattern.
" ras6057, in case you didn't know, this murder was committed HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, so we ARE trying to take care of our own problems. This piece of trash fled the country to avoid arrest. And who said we're trying to "prosecute another culture?!" We're trying to prosecute murderers! This is far from "hysteria"...this is what happens when people witness a travesty of justice!
iv1183, check out this link and see where Mexico "extradition may be refused unless assurances are given that the death penalty shall not be imposed, and if imposed, shall not be executed."
I seriously doubt Mexico would have given up a powerful member of a drug cartel to face execution and then chosen to protect this "nobody" from a similar fate.
http://www.escapingjustice.com/extrafpo.htm "
karlaf74 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 8:02 PM:
" ras6057 maybe you would feel different if the agent was your relative. I believe in God but I also believe in a eye for an eye.
God Bless Agent Luis Aguilar and family. Proud BP wife!!! "
susflores wrote on Jun 27, 2008 7:53 PM:
" Totally different story, but have any of you read todays La Voz top story? I hope it's front page tomorrow in IVPRESS, murdered man from El Centro found in Mexicali.. "
ANGEL911 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 7:52 PM:
" I don't understand. BP agents are being arrested for killing a smuggler who threatened them but this guy who kill a BP agent gets released. Mexico asked us to give them justices for the smuggler who was killed and we are bending backwards to make them happy. And yet we are just suppose to just accept them letting that murder go. How is that fair. From now on I think we should handle our own!!! No more being the NICE GUY! "
ras6057 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 7:35 PM:
" Why don't we look at our own troubles first in the United States. Then when we fix all our own troubles in the United States then look to solve the short comings of other countries like Mexico. It is a tragedy of the death of our own. It is a tragedy for his family but we should not prosecute another culture, another sociality for act of one individual. Calm is the call for the day and tomorrow. Good will conquer evil. The border agent will never be forgotten. Hysteria does not work and it never solves anything. Let the experts do their job, they are better at it than we are. "
iv1183 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 5:48 PM:
" I beleive that Mexico has provided the US with many criminal from the drug cartels. From Arrellano family to Guzmans Cartel and many more. In this very year more then 30 extraditions . Lets hope this is an isolated case and hope due process was followed. "
enrico wrote on Jun 27, 2008 2:57 PM:
" Who is the real bad guy?
The murdering sag of sh!t or the Mexican Government for letting him go (maybe the same people). Just thought everybody should know that two Mexican Military Hummers were seen traveling north into the US today near El Centro. I wonder what they were doing or how they got the money for their equipment.
Maybe the US should stop supporting the corrupt Mexican Government! "
" The burocracy has allowed the handing over of a criminal to become ahting of the past. If it's money they want for favors, I suggest we take up a collection. Offer the people that we need to a little green and have him accidentally trip across the border. I dont see how that wouldn't work. An extradition that takes place "a la sorda" woudl allow this scroat to gace the death penalty. "
simplelogic wrote on Jun 27, 2008 1:10 PM:
" The Yugo is cheaper on gas too. Wait...we'll use Pemex in the yugo just out of spite! Wait a minute...let's get a small that's manufactures in Mexico fill it full of Pemex and proceed with the aformentioned plan. Andale!!!! "
Einheriar wrote on Jun 27, 2008 1:05 PM:
" When this piece of trash was arrested in Mexico, the U.S. tried to have him extradited for the murder of the agent. Apparently, Mexico does NOT extradite Mexican citizens (even murderers) who could possibly face the death penalty. Convenient, huh?! "
simplelogic wrote on Jun 27, 2008 1:05 PM:
" Eye for an Eye. But let's do it with a Yugo. That way we'll have to run him over a few hundred times due to the cars weight. Surely he'll suffer then. Dang.....that was pretty morbid on my behalf. To h3ll with him! "
Tool, the pious molester of hand puppets and cow-tippers wrote on Jun 27, 2008 12:19 PM:
" FARM- Completly forgot about that incident. Thanks for the refresher. I say we get in the De Lorean, floor it 88 mph let the flux capacitor take us to the early 1900's and bring back Teddy Rooselvelt and lets carry a bigger badder stick. If the president of mex knows whats good for our relationship he better bring this scum back, pref in a body bag. "
619 green go wrote on Jun 27, 2008 11:38 AM:
" Dace35. Elaborate. Id hate to jump to conclusions on your grandiloquent comment. But I am not sure if you are at a loss for words because you are flabbergasted or just stupid. Im sure if you spit out another sentence we can narrow it down. "
619 green go wrote on Jun 27, 2008 11:18 AM:
" Farmall. Absolutey right. How f@#ked up is that. "
dace35 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:35 AM:
" Chaulk one up for the paisas. "
farmallalfalfa wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:21 AM:
" Tool- Trust me, Dog won't be bounty hunting in Mexico anymore after what happened with Andrew Lusk.
This just goes to show you what a wimpy country the U.S. is when it comes to foreign relations. Mexico wanted to charge Dog the Bounty Hunter for kidnapping and what does the U.S. do? They promptly hand him over to the Mexican government.
Mexico has a guy who murdered a U.S. citizen and what do they do? They promptly release him back into public after a round of high fives. It's time to build serious fence. Preferably electric with a piranha filled moat. "
simplelogic wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:57 AM:
" Shogun...I don't have any problem with your methadology. I do beleive, that if a BP officer's feels like their life is threatened they can take any means necessary to resolve the situation. Can someone corroborate that for me? "
simplelogic wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:50 AM:
" Jordan.....what ignorant comments? Everyone is calling for justice in this matter and I've yet to read a comment with the slightest ignorant conatation. "
sterig wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:42 AM:
" interesting side note, Back when the agent was murdered, the check point on west bound I-8 at hwy98 sprung up and brought traffic to a crawl. In the past couple of months traffic began to move thru there pretty much normal. Yesterday traffic was again down to stop and go. PAYBACK??? "
Tool, the pious molester of hand puppets and cow-tippers wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:41 AM:
" WTF MEJICO??? I knew the drug cartel runs deep in the corrupted judicial system of MEXICO but what an adaucity of a move to release this low life. This guy should be rotting in prison. We should have DOG the Bounty Hunter after him if the cartel does have him already. Appalled after reading this. "
bob_bear wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:36 AM:
" Let's get back on topic please. The issue is this: A US Federal Border Patrol Agent was killed in the line of duty. The killer fled into Mexico, was arrested, then released by a Mexican Judge for not yet disclosed reasons.
This is wrong, very, very wrong. And is an example of the lack of communication between both our our nations. With Mexico's release of this killer, it has proven they will not cooperate with the US in the war against smuggling. Our US Government must react immediately to this! "
shogun30 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:04 AM:
" Sorry Rifo, but staying out of a drug smuggler's way is a p!ss poor option. What if it's a terrorist or a weapon of mass destruction in the vehicle? Should we stay out of the way too and let others pay the price? No, we should continue to try to stop all threats entering our country. Next time some criminal tries to run over or otherwise kill a law enforcement officer they should take out their M-4 assualt rifle, switch it to auto, and turn the purpetrator into swiss cheese. Then they can go back and tell the story of how the crook who though he could kill me got the tables turned on him. "
JORDAN wrote on Jun 27, 2008 8:44 AM:
" I THINK THESE IGNORANT COMMENTS SHOULD STOP BEFORE THEY GET OUT OF HAND. THERE MUST BE A LOGICAL REASON AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO FIGURE IT OUT. WE CAN MAKE SORRY COMMENTS, BUT WE ARE DEFENITELY NOT JUDGES. "
Prov3 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 8:27 AM:
" "Eljefe", I, too, hope the U.S. gets custody of him. At least we wouldn't be setting him free. I also wish for justice to be served on whoever this guy was working for. Sadly, I had a feeling that this was going to happen. Money talks, and opens cell doors as well, I guess. "
eljefe100 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 8:07 AM:
" "Prov3" I'm sorry it's just that I'm so dispointed that I don't remember all the details at this moment, oh well like I said I hope that one of these day not to long he falls in our hands, because there is a saying that nobody leaves this world without paying there debts. "
arta82 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 8:07 AM:
" aesco1, thanks to Mr. Washington, you are able to share your opinion! "
Prov3 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 7:57 AM:
" "Eljefe100", he (Montes) was never sent to Mexico. He fled there after he killed the B.P. agent. Although, as the article states, Mexican authorities arrested him in Sonora, Mexico wasn't about to turn him over to U.S. custody. "
aesco1 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 7:50 AM:
" Pancho villa will have his critics but i guess we'll let history be the judge on that. I bet George Washington probably has the same amount of critisism in England for his role as a revolutionary. "
eljefe100 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 7:45 AM:
" Why was he sent to Mexico in the first place? we know very well how Mexico takes care of there "criminals" especially if they do good to the Country (selling drugs o anything related) because it's one of Mexico's biggest income. It should of been taken care of here because the crime of this animal was here in U.S. not in Mexico, they could care less. I just hope that one way or another he falls again in our precious hands, and this time hold on to him. "
aesco1 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 7:27 AM:
" Next time this occurs the agents out to shot these smuggler pieces of s.... How can they even be human when they have no regard for peoples lives, they have been known to even leave small children in the desert. "
rifi0805 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 7:27 AM:
" To all BP agents, stay out of their way next time, you'll get to go back home and tell the story... sadly, this is the best thing to do... "
agzero75@hotmail.com wrote on Jun 27, 2008 7:25 AM:
" Sad. Perhaps we need to loosen up tactics at the border and utilize weapons like they do in Israel. Bet this would cut down illegal crossing right away. In addition, America should send a bill to Mexico for every trespasser. Pancho Villa was a traiter. "
victoria wrote on Jun 27, 2008 5:49 AM:
" what a surprise if he his waa narcotic smuggler well they pay off the judge money talks they just look the other way. "
T-CART wrote on Jun 27, 2008 4:40 AM:
" Shame on Chertoff and Bush for not building the fence along the border. The double fence as authorized by Congress would have prevented the whole tragedy. The border agents have a very tough job, and it is sad they don't get the cooperation of their boss to solve the problems. "
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619 green go wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:54 PM: