Update from The Campo Minutemen

Gadget Dan reports that as of June 11, 2010, we have removed from Public lands, some 25 Tons of litter (50,095 pounds). We started the Highway Clean up / Litter Removal Project in June, 2006. As Dan says, we continue "Taking back San Diego East County, one littered bit at a time".

The Campo Minutemen were contact this month by Adam Nilsen, Researcher at the History Department of the Oakland Museum of California, known as "The Story of California. The Story of You." He was requesting Minuteman artifacts for an exhibit on the California/Mexico border, and we are looking for objects used by the Minutemen to include in this exhibit. The collection will be preserved for future generations of Californians to learn about life in California in 2010. The Campo Minutemen contributed numerous items, including; an "Undocumented Border Patrol" Shirt, a "Campo Minutemen Hat," the "Free Ramos and Compean" banner from Kingfish''s Truck, "Border Booties" from Illegal Border Crosser and items commemorating the sacrifices of Border Agent Robert Rosas and California Deputy Sheriff David March.

Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas was shot and killed while on patrol near Campo, California, Deputy David March was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle in Irwindale, California by an illegal alien who fled to Mexico.

Zeta arsenal 100 mi South of The Border

Kidnapping in Tacate (Possible link to Rosas Murder)

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2010/may/20/mexican-authorities-investigate-migrant-kidnapping/

Mexican authorities say they arrested a group of kidnappers who've nabbed more than 100 migrants trying to cross the border illegally into the United States. Mexican authorities say they're probing the group's ties to the murder of a Border Patrol agent last year.

The eight alleged kidnappers told Baja California investigators that, for the last year and a half, they've targeted migrants in the hills beside the Tecate toll road.

Mexican authorities say that's where they spotted the group Monday. They were armed and had taken a group of migrants hostage.

Mexican law enforcement swooped in. They say the kidnappers shot at them.

Authorities say they rescued 17 migrants. Four kidnappers remain at large.

Investigators with Baja California's Attorney General's office say the group would call their victims' families to demand a $2,000 ransom.

Mexican authorities say they're testing the group's guns to see if they're tied to the murder of U.S Border Patrol agent Robert Rosas. Rosas was killed while on patrol near Campo last summer. Authorities say two people remain at large in Mexico.

Motorcycle rally honors fallen Border Patrol agent

http://www.760kfmb.com/Global/story.asp?S=12488545

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (CBS 8) - More than a thousand motorcyclists hit the road in San Marcos today for the seventh annual "Officer Down Memorial" motorcycle rally.

Each year, organizers choose the family of one fallen officer to honor. The funds raised go to the children of that officer.

This year's ride honored border patrol agent Robert Rosas who was killed in the line of duty in July last year while patrolling near Campo.

The riders made a 100 mile loop through northeast San Diego and finished the day with a barbecue and live music.

Photos from the border

Campo Minuteman Kingfish with a Ladder used to scale the border wall.


Broken Ladder at the Border





Border Agents Pursue and Apprehend

Campo Minuteman Quoted on Border Patrol Agent's Murder

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2010/apr/29/teen-receives-40-years-prison-murder-border-patrol/

"Britt Craig, a member of the Minuteman group that monitors the border, said it was "ludicrous" that Castro didn't know the identity of his co-conspirators.

"He knows who did it," Craig told reporters outside court."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hPSwshFPzVfadMmjIwIckSRrKxswD9FD137G2

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/29/AR2010042900740.html

Britt Craig, a civilian who monitors the border for illegal activity and calls the Border Patrol with anything suspicious, told reporters he spoke with Rosas about 15 minutes before the execution.

The agent said he was tracking four people seen walking along the Mexican side of the border fence, apparently preparing to enter the United States illegally.

"He said, 'Yeah, we're going to catch those guys. I'll come back and tell you about it,'" Craig said

Christian Daniel Castro Alvarez sentenced to 40 years for murder of Border Patrol Agent

Two to three hundred Border Patrol Agents filled the courtroom and lined the hallways of the Dozens of Federal Agents were present. With his family seated behind him, Christian Daniel Castro Alvarez appeared downcast as he sat in an orange jump suit, resting his chin in his hand while his attorney spoke for him.

He confessed that he, with two others suspects he lured Rosas by leaving footprints along the road. He then attempted to rob Border Agent Rosas, who resisted and was shot. Castro, maintains the other two suspects were the shooters, but this as not been confirmed. The other two suspects remain at large, in Mexico. Some details were unclear. The judge indicated the case remains under investigation and that additional information remains "under seal." Castro was reportedly injured in the attack and his blood was found at the scene and his identity confirmed by DNA. His age- 16- at the time of the murder was noted as was his poverty in Mexico. Castro admitted prior involvement in the Human Trafficking trade, with no prior criminal convictions.

A statement was read from Richard Barlow, acting chief patrol agent for the San Diego sector noting the devastating impact the murder had on the Border Patrol Agency, stating that it "tested the very fabric of our sacred oath."

Robert Rosas' two sisters, Arlene and Sylvia, broke down as the spoke of their love for their brother and their overwhelming loss. They spoke of Robert's kindness. One noted that their father had been killed in a car accident when Robert was two years old and he felt the loss as he was growing up, vowing to be the kind of father to his children that he dreamed of having when he was growing up. They spoke of Robert's love for his country and of the Border Patrol and the "lack of respect" afforded the Border Patrol.

Rosa's widow, Rosalie, spoke in a clear, calm voice, looking directly at the judge and at the Castro, asking for the maximum sentence, on behalf of herself, her children and "the Citizens of the United States of America. She stated she was sustained by her faith in God and her belief that justice would be served. She noted the loss to her and her children who point to every American flag they see and say "Papa's Flag." She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support she received. noting her husband would be especially proud of the support of the Border Patrol. She told the judge she has but one request, and that is for justice, not only for Castro, but for all the involved parties. Applause broke out when she was finished.

The judge reviewed the sentencing process. The prosecution was asking for 40 years ; the defense for 30 years. The prosecution, for reasons under seal, had agreed to not ask for the mandatory life sentence and therefore the sentencing guidelines were for "30 years to life." The judge referred to the killing as an "execution" and sentenced Castro to the 40 years requested by the prospection.

After the sentencing, Shawn Moran Vice President South at National Border Patrol Council spoke to press. He expressed the opinion that the sentence should have been even stiffer and would be of "no deterrent" to the Drug Cartels who "did not care." He called for the deployment of Combat Troops on the Mexican Border. He noted the lack of political will to secure the border and that the Border Patrol needs to be "unhandcuffed" to fight the Drug Cartels who have declared war on them. He noted the impact of the case of the Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean on the Agent's ability to do their job.

One of the sketch artist was the cousin of Arizona Rancher Rob Krentz who was killed earlier his month one his property, by a suspected illegal alien.



Shawn Moran:



Campo Minuteman Kingfish


Cousin of Arizona Rancher Rob Krentz