*Marine Veteran Held Illegally In Mexican Prison*

[The_Outlaw]

The father of a U.S. Marine jailed in Mexico after declaring his grandfather's antique shotgun heard the fear in his son's voice and felt helpless. The phone call came at midnight from Mexico's notorious CEDES prison, where Marine Corps Veteran; Jon Hammar Jr., has been held illegally since August. The caller demanded $1,800, then put Hammar on the phone under duress to drive the point home. "They're serious, Dad," Jon Hammar Sr. heard his son say. "I'll pay you back; they really are going to kill me."

Even though a U.S. border agent in Brownsville, Texas, had assured Hammar the shotgun was legal as long as he declared it to Mexican authorities, he was nabbed just across the border anyways and charged with an aggravated felony punishable up to 15 years in prison.

While in prison, Hammar has been repeatedly threatened, beaten and maybe even worse according to numerous reports. He has even been left chained like an animal for days to a steel bed. But it was the call, just two days after their son's arrest, that continues to haunt Hammar's parents. They believe their son's service to his country -- memorialized forever by a "USMC" tattoo on his arm, made him a target behind bars.

The infamous prison was the scene of the escape of 151 inmates in December 2010 and 59 in July 2011, and dozens of corrupt prison guards were later charged with helping with the breakout. The prison also has an unparalleled reputation for extreme violence: In 2005, two American brothers jailed on supposed homicide charges were found stabbed to death within their cells. The inmate ranks are swollen with members of the Mexican mafia and various other cartels, shootouts and escapes are commonplace and guards have found many guns and even AK-47s from inside of it's prison cells over the years.

See more of this terrifying story here;
Extortion call, somber visit bring nightmare home for parents of Marine jailed in Mexico | Fox News

 

[Rich_S]

I'm seeing this story all over. Some sources say it was actually illegal to bring the gun into Mexico while others say it wasn't. It's hard to know which is correct. Also, does the fact that he's a Marine veteran matter? That is prominently mentioned every time. Would it be less of a story if he was just an American citizen? Would it matter less that a non-veteran U.S. citizen were in a Mexican jail?

 

[vernsimpson]

It could very well matter that he's a Marine Veteran. If he was a just an American citizen maybe obummer and clinton may have tried to get him released. But they do not like the military and guns so why would they step up to the plate.
This is a shame that our "wonderful" and "caring" government is doing nothing about this!

 

[tricolordad]

If this had happened during the Bush administration, you can be sure that he would have been released immediately. Or else.

 

[Rich_S]

Link Removed

 

[BIGJOHN621]

Does it matter that he is a Marine? Simply, yes it does. For a couple of reasons.

First, and most importantly, when the phone rang and the country called on him, he answered. We always hear about thanks and debts that cannot be repaid. Well, here is a way to repay. Now that he is making the call, we need to answer.

Second, his service gives credibility to him that he is not just some pro-gun thug lying about the circumstances. While we know that laws are not enforced consistently, some others and the libertards don't believe it and need some other factors in order to not just blame him for the situation he is in.

 

[Rich_S]

Does it matter that he is a Marine? Simply, yes it does. For a couple of reasons.

First, and most importantly, when the phone rang and the country called on him, he answered. We always hear about thanks and debts that cannot be repaid. Well, here is a way to repay. Now that he is making the call, we need to answer.

Second, his service gives credibility to him that he is not just some pro-gun thug lying about the circumstances. While we know that laws are not enforced consistently, some others and the libertards don't believe it and need some other factors in order to not just blame him for the situation he is in.

So then a non-veteran U.S. citizen in the same situation deserves less attention?

 

[Rich M]

Link Removed

Thanks for the link! Taking a gun across state lines is bad enough, I would never have tried to take one to Mexico.

 

[Rich_S]

Thanks for the link! Taking a gun across state lines is bad enough, I would never have tried to take one to Mexico.

This. How someone couldn't understand that it was asking for trouble is way beyond me.

 

[vernsimpson]

This. How someone couldn't understand that it was asking for trouble is way beyond me.

Why did the Border Agent tell him it would be OK as long as he declared it? The agent should be fired if he does not know the laws of the US and Mexico.

 

[Oldgrunt]

So then a non-veteran U.S. citizen in the same situation deserves less attention?

No, any U.S. citizen deserves the attention of the government but, unfortunately, that is not always the case. One, our government is impotent and obviously can't stand up to the Mexicans under any circumstances. Second, any U.S. citizen entering Mexico right now needs to have their head examined. The Mexicans see any of us as targets and an opportunity to make money. There are too many cases of our citizens just disappearing down there and no help from the Mexican government. People should think several times before entering that crime ridden country.

 

[Rich_S]

Why did the Border Agent tell him it would be OK as long as he declared it? The agent should be fired if he does not know the laws of the US and Mexico.

I don't disagree- if he can prove that actually happened.

 

[mappow]

Link Removed

Unless you're part of the Fast & Furious crowd. Then it's US Gov't sanctioned so you'll be OK.

 

[Stan45]

You have yo be dumber than a box of rocks to even think about going into Mexico.

 

[BIGJOHN621]

So then a non-veteran U.S. citizen in the same situation deserves less attention?

No but we had better help him.

 

[Stan45]

Guns are Illegal in Mexico | U.S. Consulate General Tijuana, ...

tijuana.usconsulate.gov/tijuana/warning.html- Similarto Guns are Illegal in Mexico | U.S. Consulate General Tijuana, ...

Don't bring firearms or ammunition across the border into Mexico. Don't carry a knife, even a small pocketknife, on your person in Mexico. You may become one ...

 

[Stan45]

One fast search on GOOGLE will let you know, you are going to jail, and being pimped out, IF YOU BRING A GUN into Mexico.

Don’t bring firearms or ammunition across the border into Mexico.

Don’t carry a knife, even a small pocketknife, on your person in Mexico.

You may become one of dozens of U.S. Citizens who are arrested each month for unintentionally violating Mexico’s strict weapons laws.

If you are caught with firearms or ammunition in Mexico...

•You will go to jail and your vehicle will be seized;
•You will be separated from your family, friends, and your job, and likely suffer substantial financial hardship;
•You will pay court costs and other fees ranging into the tens of thousands of dollars defending yourself;
•You may get up to a 30-year sentence in a Mexican prison if found guilty.
If you carry a knife on your person in Mexico, even a pocketknife . . .

•You may be arrested and charged with possession of a deadly weapon;
•You may spend weeks in jail waiting for trial, and tens of thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees, court costs, and fines;
•If convicted, you may be sentenced to up to five years in a Mexican prison.
Claiming not to know about the law will not get you leniency from a police officer or the judicial system. Leave your firearms, ammunition, and knives at home. Don’t bring them into Mexico.

 

[NotTwoShure]

No but we had better help him.

YES. AND NOW. Email, call, let US get HIM out. No more. Maybe we should go down there. I know, I know, that just is not going to happen but if it were any other time we would. Lets get off our butts and call, noise. what about the VFW and such?

 

[The_Outlaw]

One fast search on GOOGLE will let you know, you are going to jail, and being pimped out, IF YOU BRING A GUN into Mexico.

Don’t bring firearms or ammunition across the border into Mexico.

Don’t carry a knife, even a small pocketknife, on your person in Mexico.

You may become one of dozens of U.S. Citizens who are arrested each month for unintentionally violating Mexico’s strict weapons laws.

If you are caught with firearms or ammunition in Mexico...

•You will go to jail and your vehicle will be seized;
•You will be separated from your family, friends, and your job, and likely suffer substantial financial hardship;
•You will pay court costs and other fees ranging into the tens of thousands of dollars defending yourself;
•You may get up to a 30-year sentence in a Mexican prison if found guilty.
If you carry a knife on your person in Mexico, even a pocketknife . . .

•You may be arrested and charged with possession of a deadly weapon;
•You may spend weeks in jail waiting for trial, and tens of thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees, court costs, and fines;
•If convicted, you may be sentenced to up to five years in a Mexican prison.
Claiming not to know about the law will not get you leniency from a police officer or the judicial system. Leave your firearms, ammunition, and knives at home. Don’t bring them into Mexico.

And yet, thousands and thousands of Illegal Mexican GANG MEMBERS are still illegally carrying firearms and knives within our borders on a daily basis and they only seem to get a little slap on the wrist!

WTF is wrong with this picture!?!