REWARDS OFFERED FOR GUN TAKEN FROM SLAIN BORDER PATROL AGENT & FOR INFO LEADING TO CONVICTION OF KILLER(S)

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FUNDRAISER PLANNED FRIDAY IN SAN DIEGO TO HELP ROSAS' FAMILY

July 29, 2009 (San Diego)--The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas, who was murdered near Shockey Truck Trail in Campo on Thursday, July 23, 2009. In addition, a $10,000 reward has been added for information leading to recover of a black .40 caliber service pistol (Heckler & Koch P2000) believed stolen from Rosas the night he was murdered.

 

Rosas and other agents were tracking a group of people believed to have crossed the border illegally. Other agents lost radio contact with him and became concerned for his safety. Shots were reported by members of a Minutemen group near the border. Agents conducted a search and found Rosas’ body at approximately 9:15 p.m. He had been shot several times in the head, neck and torso.

The FBI asks anyone with information concerning the death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Rosas to contact the FBI at telephone number (858) 565-1255. If requested you may remain anonymous. The FBI is conducting this investigation jointly with the U.S. Border Patrol, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of one of our own,” Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has said. “I have directed that the full resources of the department assist in the investigation to find and bring to justice those responsible…His death is a vivid reminder that we are engaged in a serious effort. Border Patrol agents and other DHS employees risk their lives every single day to protect and defend our nation.”

The FBI has not announced arrests in connection with the crime. However, Mexican authorities indicate they have arrested an alleged gunman identified as Ernesto Parra Valanzuela, along with members of an alleged smuggling ring. Others arrested reportedly include Jose Eugenio Quintero Ruiz, 49, who is wanted for suspicion or murder and rape in the U.S., his brother, Jose Quintero Ruiz, 43, as well as Jose Alfredo Camacho, 34 and Antonio Valladares, 57. A sixth possible suspect was taken into custody Friday when a signal from the murdered agent’s cell phone led the to a hospital in northern California, Channel 6 news reported.

 

Rosas, 30, a resident of El Centro, was married and leaves behind an infant daughter and a toddler son. toddler son. A photo tribute to Rosas is online at http://officerrobertrosas.chipin.com/officer-robert-rosas-family.

 

Rosas was the first Border Patrol slain in the line of duty since 1998. His death has led to renewed calls by some for completion of the border wqll to tighten security, since Rosas was killed in an area with gaps in the fencing and since border violence has escalated in recent months along with escalating drug-cartel battles in Mexico.

 

Carl Braun, San Diego Examiner.com, wrote, "This tragedy underscores the need for a better fence and tighter control over the United States Border with Mexico... The area where the agent was killed is still only protected by the decades old ten-foot fence that smugglers and illegal immigrants have been scaling or crawling under since it was installed."

 

Not everyone agrees with that solution.  "The drug violence is due to drug demand," Enrique Morones, founder of Border Angels, an immigrant rights group, told East county Magazine. "The U.S. has 5% of the world population yet consumes about 50% of the world's illegal drugs. Stop the demand, and the drug trade will drop dramatically," he said, adding that the "wall has nothing to do with it."

 

John Fanestil, a leader in the Friends of Friendship Park Coalition, had this to say.  "I condemn violence against Border Patrol agents and law enforcement personnel," Fanestil told East County Magazine, adding that his organization is committed to working to make the border safe for all who live and work along it.

 

He added in his e-mailed statement, "It’s important for people to know that violence from Tijuana is not “spilling over our borders” – this not my assessment, but that of Chula Vista Police Chief Rick Emerson – see: http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/jul/16/county-and-chula-vista-get-funds-fi....  It’s also important for people to understand that the violence like that which took Agent Rosas’ life is the result of our government’s crackdown on drug cartels – this not my assessment, but that of former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff – see: http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/speeches/sp_1202219631845.shtm

 

Fanestil condemned "failed immigration policies" and called for "expansion and rationalization" of proceses for legal immigration for Mexicans seeking work in the United States, which he believes would reduce incentives for people to immigrate illegally. "We would then be able to co concentrate our law enforcement resources on the bad guys who operate along the border," he said, adding, "More border wall will not result in reduced levels of violence along the border."

The FBI has posted a billboard in East County displaying photos of 12 men wanted in the U.S., including two arrested in connection with Rosas’ murder.


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