On Wednesday, a federal grand jury has indicted Border Patrol Agent Lonnie Swartz, for second-degree murder in the death of Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez, a Mexican teenager in Mexico. The Border Patrol alleged that Elena Rodriguez was part of youth throwing rocks at agents across the border.
“It is unfortunate that after three years and after being investigated by multiple local, state and federal agencies and then returned to the field to work, Agent Lonnie Swartz is now facing criminal charges,” read a statment issued by the National Border Patrol Council. “As the union that represents the men and women of the Border Patrol, we are there with steady support for Agent Swartz as he fights these accusations. To help ensure that he receives a fair trial, we are providing him with excellent, experienced legal counsel. He will be well represented and given every opportunity to tell his story in a court of law.”
“Sadly, our agents and all law enforcement officers operate in a world of political agendas and armchair quarterbacking. But our jobs are dangerous and the decisions we make every day determine if we will return home safely to our families. We ask the public to withhold judgment about Agent Swartz while the legal process unfolds,” the Council continued. “As for the union, we believe that until proven otherwise Agent Swartz is innocent of these charges. We stand with him and his family during this difficult time.”
The ACLU filed a lawsuit in Tucson on behalf of Elena Rodriguez’s mother.