Convicted Fmr. BP Agents Turn Themselves In To Federal Authorities

EL PASO, Tx. – Two former El Paso Border Patrol agents reported to federal officialsWednesday afternoon to start their prison sentence.

Ignacio Ramosturned himself into federal officials in downtown El Paso shortly before 2pm Wednesday afternoon. Former agent Jose Compean turned himself in a short time later.

Ramos, surrounded by family, friends, and supporters, walked up the federal courthouse steps early Wednesday afternoon. A group of about50 people standing nearbyshouted their support as Ramos exchanged tearful hugs with those around him.

Compean and Ramos are scheduled to start their prison sentences of 12 years and 11 years, at separate federal prisons.

In 2005, the two fired a combined 14 shots at a drug smuggler as he ran back across the border into Mexico. The smuggler was hit once in the backside.

Both agents failed to report the incident to their supervisor, prompting the court case.

On Tuesday, Jose Compean told ABC-7 he feels prison time is the ultimate insult to his service.

Compean said,”I feel betrayed by the government. My entire adult life, I’ve been doing nothing but working in the government. My four years in the military, and five years in the Border Patrol. I’ve done nothing but protect this country, and this is the way I get repaid.”

US Attorney Johnn Sutton released a statement Wednesday afternoon, stating the facts of the case and giving the reasons the government prosecuted Ramos and Compean.

To view the statement, click here oron the link provided under the agent’s photos.