Drug Smuggler Gets Less Prison Time Than Border Agents

.... Aldrete-Davila had been trying to sneak 743 pounds of marijuan into Fabens, Texas, near El Paso when the agents spotted him.

Ramos and Compean were sentenced to 11 and 12 years, respectively, for discharging a weapon in the commission of a crime of violence. A federal appeals court upheld the border agents’ conviction last week. Both agents said they thought the smuggler had a gun, but if he did, it was never found.

U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton’s office, in the Western District of Texas, sought out Aldrete-Davila in Mexico, gave him immunity from any crimes he committed that February day, and provided him with free medical care so that he would testify against Ramos and Compean. ....