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ACLU: Indicted Border Patrol Agent Could be Targeted for being Whistle-blower
A Douglas Border patrol agent... Ephraim Cruz, 32, was arrested Friday at the Douglas Border Patrol Station after a federal grand jury handed a five-count indictment against Cruz on Wednesday. Cruz was released on his own recognizance after his initial appearance before Magistrate Hector C. Estrada...The indictment alleges that Cruz knowingly brought an illegal immigrant into the U.S. He is also charged with harboring, concealing or shielding an illegal immigrant and with transportation of an illegal immigrant, according to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office. Ephraim Cruz is the same border agent that filed a memorandum to his supervisors that outlined his concerns about mistreatment of illegal immigrants and health and safety issues on March 21, 2004. According to the Tucson Citizen, Ray Ybarra of the American Civil Liberties Union office in Douglas called for an investigation to see whether Cruz is being targeted for being a whistle-blower. The Tucson Citizen also reported Ybarra filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year to see if the agency has taken any action to investigate Cruz's complaints, but hasn't heard back yet... The five counts which Cruz has been indiced violate Title 8, U.S. Code, Section 1324 and Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 2 and 4. Two other counts allege that Cruz failed to report the illegal entry and that he aided and abetted the entry of an illegal alien. Cruz is currenty on unpaid leave. Posted by: Pappy 2005-07-13 |
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