While Gilmer Hernandez sits in a federal prison, the immigrants who were involved in an illegal human smuggling operation are cashing-in courtesy of the American taxpayer.
Claiming violations against their civil rights, Maricela Rodriguez-Garcia and Candido Garcia-Perez, who were in a van that attempted to run over Deputy Sheriff Hernandez after a traffic stop April 14, 2005, in Rocksprings, Texas were successfully able to pocket a $100,000 payday with help from attorney, James D. Doyle, III, in a mediation hearing.
The settlement may be a small price to pay as it keeps the case out of litigation – Garcia and Perez initially were seeking $1.5 million, and ensures Deputy Hernandez is not sued once released.
Rodriguez-Garcia was injured in the face and Garcia Perez on the arm by shell fragments from Hernandez's weapon in an attempt to shoot the tires on the smugglers vehicle. U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, who also prosecuted border patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, was successful in convincing a jury Hernandez took unwarranted deadly force. Hernandez is now serving a one-year prison sentence.
Sheriff Don G. Letsinger told WorldNetDaily:
"I think it is kind of ridiculous that a bunch of people enter into a felony conspiracy to violate the immigration laws of the United States, and one of the conspirators who was driving the vehicle tries to run over a deputy sheriff…”
“…And now the conspirators want to turn around and sue the deputy sheriff for defending his life, as well as sue the county and the sheriff the deputy worked for."
Clearly, Gilmer Hernandez was in the right place at the wrong time and Rodriguez-Garcia and Garcia-Perez in the wrong place at the right time.
While Gilmer’s wife and young daughter not only lose a husband and father for a year, the family will also be financially burdened by the loss of income and legal fees; it appears the Bush Administration is sending the message: take the risk to cross illegally. The financial rewards are well worth it.
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