More Fast & Furious in New Mexico - The Firearms Forum

berto64 · 09-20-2011, 03:17 PM

Judge denies release in Deming gun-raid case (6:50 a.m.)
By Ashley Meeks
Posted: 09/20/2011 06:47:51 AM MDT

http://www.currentargus.com/ci_18934499

LAS CRUCES - A federal judge denied a request Monday afternoon to free the youngest member of a Deming family accused of illegally selling guns across the Mexican border.

Remington Reese, 19, would have been released into the custody of his grandparents, Marjorie Reese Stewart and Jack Stewart, in Kingston, N.M., where he would have been required to wear an ankle bracelet and had his travel restricted to court hearings.

The family - including father Rick Reese, 55, mother Terri Reese, 48, and brother Ryin Reese, 24 - remains in federal custody at the Dona Ana County Detention Center on charges of selling 54 weapons and thousands of dollars of ammunition to undercover agents and a a Mexican cartel member turned government informant between 2010 and this July. All have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Defense attorney Paul J. Rubino of Las Cruces attempted to convince U.S. District Court Judge Robert C. Brack that the youngest defendant could go to work doing landscaping and would be well cared for by his grandfather, Jack Stewart, a volunteer firefighter, and his grandmother, Marjorie Reese Stewart, a retired attorney.

Bu Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Lichvarcik said the teen had "every incentive to flee," and had already indicated his willingness to break the law to do so by asking an undercover informant about getting a Mexican passport under a different name, something that should give the court "abundant pause."

"Some crimes are just so horrendous,
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there's just got to be really extreme circumstances for them to go free," Lichvarcik said, adding later that Remington Reese's "surreptitious conduct says he can't be trusted."

And Lichvarcik had a different picture of the family members who would be entrusted with Remington Reese's custody. Recorded phone conversations made by the teen's grandmother to Rick Reese in jail allegedly reveal her statements that she intends to file a civil case and make the family "millionaires," Lichvarcik said. In the recording, a voice believed to be that of Remington Reese's grandfather is allegedly heard saying that the Reeses are being made "scapegoats" for Operation Fast and Furious, an undercover operation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that allowed thousands of guns to cross into Mexico so agents could see where in the drug cartels they would eventually end up.

"They're taking this dumb-ass s*** out on you," the grandfather is alleged to have said, Lichvarcik told the court.

"I think it shows they're not taking these charges seriously," Lichvarcik said of the grandparents, adding that the two would be unlikely to comply with requirements set by "authorities they think are conspiring against their relatives."

Rubino did not comment on the recording made of that conversation, but disputed the overall case of the prosecution, saying other comments made during the investigation that led to the arrests leave "a lot of reasonable doubt" about the Reeses' supposed crimes.

The Reeses, who were arrested during Aug. 30 raids of their properties in Deming and Las Cruces, are alleged to have made false statements on firearms purchasing forms during the transactions, many of which were captured on hidden audio and video feeds, then laundered the proceeds.

The charges don't sit well with a number of the family's supporters, including Bev Courtney, a Las Cruces firearms instructor and the president and founder of the American Gun Culture Club, who had done business with the family before their arrest.

"It's just so suspect to any common sense or any reasonable person," said Courtney, who attended Monday's hearing with four other club members. "As a firearms instructor, there's use of force laws that require you show there was an opportunity that a person could do great bodily harm to you and could take your life. You act on what a reasonable person believes."

At least four of the weapons sold before the government's investigation surfaced later at crime scenes in Mexico, prosecutors say, where drug cartel violence has killed an estimated 40,000 people in the past five years.

But the government has yet to prove that a reasonable person in the Reeses' situation really would have believed they were knowledgeably selling anything to Mexican cartel members, Courtney said.

The government is seeking not only the forfeiture of the Reeses' more than 1,200 firearms, more than 2 million rounds of ammunition and proceeds, their vehicles, money - including $125,000 in cash and 11 ammunition cans filled with gold and silver - and also the New Deal gun shop property, assets and licenses and a monetary judgment of at least $36,000.

If convicted, Rick Reese , who is charged in five counts of a federal indictment, could face 60 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines. Terri Reese , who is charged in seven counts of the indictment, could face 80 years in prison and $2 million in fines. Ryin Reese , who is charged in 18 counts of the indictment, could face 160 years in prison and $4 million in fines. And Remington Reese , who is charged in nine counts of the indictment, could face 105 years in prison and $2.5 million in fines.

The Reeses, Courtney said, are "a family that's going to be devastated by our own government, and normally, you would think they would be able to be bonded - and (the government) is intent on not letting that happen."

She added: "It's not about due process and 'innocent until proven guilty.'"

Attorneys have until Sept. 26 to file motions in the case. Trial has not yet been scheduled.

Jim K · 09-20-2011, 04:49 PM

I can't comment on that case, as I know nothing about it, but let's not automatically come to the defense of people accused by BATFE of gun law violations. Whether we like it or not, there are some "dirty" dealers out there who put money ahead of obeying the law or even acting in an honest manner. Some in the past have had no scruples about selling guns and faking papers even when told the buyer was a hit man for organized crime. (One dealer doubled the price, though.)

Yes, BATFE has sometimes over-reacted, and has gone off the deep end with tricks like F&F which got one of their own killed. But their stupidity and often insane efforts to "get" innocent people does not mean that all gun dealers are innocent.

Jim

hogger129 · 09-20-2011, 08:08 PM

So when will they bring Eric Holder, those ATF agents and the other members of our "representative" government to trial? Weren't they the ones that forced the gun dealers to sell the guns to the people like this Remington Reese guy above?

But I guess it's not what you know, it's what you can prove. That's justice even if it doesn't give us what we want all the time.

H-D · 09-21-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

54 weapons and thousands of dollars of ammunition

is it illegal to sell ammo too?

ofitg · 09-21-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim K

I can't comment on that case, as I know nothing about it, but let's not automatically come to the defense of people accused by BATFE of gun law violations. Whether we like it or not, there are some "dirty" dealers out there who put money ahead of obeying the law or even acting in an honest manner. Some in the past have had no scruples about selling guns and faking papers even when told the buyer was a hit man for organized crime. (One dealer doubled the price, though.)

Yes, BATFE has sometimes over-reacted, and has gone off the deep end with tricks like F&F which got one of their own killed. But their stupidity and often insane efforts to "get" innocent people does not mean that all gun dealers are innocent.

Jim

+1

It has been reported that ATF curtailed "Fast & Furious" in Dec 2010, when BP agent Brian Terry was killed. According to the article above, the Reese's were allegedly selling guns to shady characters up until this past July.

Palmetto · 09-22-2011, 09:15 AM

We should hold Eric Holder and the ATF responsible for being an accessory to these crimes.

http://visiontoamerica.org/4244/issa...rious-weapons/

wyoredot · 09-23-2011, 07:19 PM

shame shame, gives the righteous folks a black eye no matter what.

Marlin T · 09-23-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palmetto

We should hold Eric Holder and the ATF responsible for being an accessory to these crimes.

http://visiontoamerica.org/4244/issa...rious-weapons/

Good link, thanks.

The Duke · 09-23-2011, 10:43 PM

The absolute lunacy of the entire program makes me want to think there is something more than just selling guns to the cartels involved..

Since the fit hit the shan with this program, el Presidente Fox has called for a truce in Mexicos war with druggie bastards......and youve not heard of many more killings down South of the Rio Grande these days...The timing is just to convenient to be a coincidence...

I dont know what it is, but it stinks...I just cant believe any high level bureacrat can be that stupid...unless he was told to be stupid...

HunterAlpha1 · 09-23-2011, 11:35 PM

one of the things i've noticed with American policy over time is that when the US Government wants to declare war on a nation without major military action, the first thing they do is arm that nation's enemies. and the cartels are The American People's enemies.

take that how you will.

09-20-2011, 03:17 PM	#1
berto64 VMBB Admin Staff Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Owyhee County, Idaho Contributor Posts: 7,385	More Fast & Furious in New Mexico Judge denies release in Deming gun-raid case (6:50 a.m.) By Ashley Meeks Posted: 09/20/2011 06:47:51 AM MDT http://www.currentargus.com/ci_18934499 LAS CRUCES - A federal judge denied a request Monday afternoon to free the youngest member of a Deming family accused of illegally selling guns across the Mexican border. Remington Reese, 19, would have been released into the custody of his grandparents, Marjorie Reese Stewart and Jack Stewart, in Kingston, N.M., where he would have been required to wear an ankle bracelet and had his travel restricted to court hearings. The family - including father Rick Reese, 55, mother Terri Reese, 48, and brother Ryin Reese, 24 - remains in federal custody at the Dona Ana County Detention Center on charges of selling 54 weapons and thousands of dollars of ammunition to undercover agents and a a Mexican cartel member turned government informant between 2010 and this July. All have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Defense attorney Paul J. Rubino of Las Cruces attempted to convince U.S. District Court Judge Robert C. Brack that the youngest defendant could go to work doing landscaping and would be well cared for by his grandfather, Jack Stewart, a volunteer firefighter, and his grandmother, Marjorie Reese Stewart, a retired attorney. Bu Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Lichvarcik said the teen had "every incentive to flee," and had already indicated his willingness to break the law to do so by asking an undercover informant about getting a Mexican passport under a different name, something that should give the court "abundant pause." "Some crimes are just so horrendous, Advertisement there's just got to be really extreme circumstances for them to go free," Lichvarcik said, adding later that Remington Reese's "surreptitious conduct says he can't be trusted." And Lichvarcik had a different picture of the family members who would be entrusted with Remington Reese's custody. Recorded phone conversations made by the teen's grandmother to Rick Reese in jail allegedly reveal her statements that she intends to file a civil case and make the family "millionaires," Lichvarcik said. In the recording, a voice believed to be that of Remington Reese's grandfather is allegedly heard saying that the Reeses are being made "scapegoats" for Operation Fast and Furious, an undercover operation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that allowed thousands of guns to cross into Mexico so agents could see where in the drug cartels they would eventually end up. "They're taking this dumb-ass s*** out on you," the grandfather is alleged to have said, Lichvarcik told the court. "I think it shows they're not taking these charges seriously," Lichvarcik said of the grandparents, adding that the two would be unlikely to comply with requirements set by "authorities they think are conspiring against their relatives." Rubino did not comment on the recording made of that conversation, but disputed the overall case of the prosecution, saying other comments made during the investigation that led to the arrests leave "a lot of reasonable doubt" about the Reeses' supposed crimes. The Reeses, who were arrested during Aug. 30 raids of their properties in Deming and Las Cruces, are alleged to have made false statements on firearms purchasing forms during the transactions, many of which were captured on hidden audio and video feeds, then laundered the proceeds. The charges don't sit well with a number of the family's supporters, including Bev Courtney, a Las Cruces firearms instructor and the president and founder of the American Gun Culture Club, who had done business with the family before their arrest. "It's just so suspect to any common sense or any reasonable person," said Courtney, who attended Monday's hearing with four other club members. "As a firearms instructor, there's use of force laws that require you show there was an opportunity that a person could do great bodily harm to you and could take your life. You act on what a reasonable person believes." At least four of the weapons sold before the government's investigation surfaced later at crime scenes in Mexico, prosecutors say, where drug cartel violence has killed an estimated 40,000 people in the past five years. But the government has yet to prove that a reasonable person in the Reeses' situation really would have believed they were knowledgeably selling anything to Mexican cartel members, Courtney said. The government is seeking not only the forfeiture of the Reeses' more than 1,200 firearms, more than 2 million rounds of ammunition and proceeds, their vehicles, money - including $125,000 in cash and 11 ammunition cans filled with gold and silver - and also the New Deal gun shop property, assets and licenses and a monetary judgment of at least $36,000. If convicted, Rick Reese , who is charged in five counts of a federal indictment, could face 60 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines. Terri Reese , who is charged in seven counts of the indictment, could face 80 years in prison and $2 million in fines. Ryin Reese , who is charged in 18 counts of the indictment, could face 160 years in prison and $4 million in fines. And Remington Reese , who is charged in nine counts of the indictment, could face 105 years in prison and $2.5 million in fines. The Reeses, Courtney said, are "a family that's going to be devastated by our own government, and normally, you would think they would be able to be bonded - and (the government) is intent on not letting that happen." She added: "It's not about due process and 'innocent until proven guilty.'" Attorneys have until Sept. 26 to file motions in the case. Trial has not yet been scheduled. __________________ Be who you are & say what you will, Those that matter won't mind and those that mind don't matter. I'm a bitter clinger, One Nation Under God. -->

09-20-2011, 04:49 PM	#2
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: More Fast & Furious in New Mexico I can't comment on that case, as I know nothing about it, but let's not automatically come to the defense of people accused by BATFE of gun law violations. Whether we like it or not, there are some "dirty" dealers out there who put money ahead of obeying the law or even acting in an honest manner. Some in the past have had no scruples about selling guns and faking papers even when told the buyer was a hit man for organized crime. (One dealer doubled the price, though.) Yes, BATFE has sometimes over-reacted, and has gone off the deep end with tricks like F&F which got one of their own killed. But their stupidity and often insane efforts to "get" innocent people does not mean that all gun dealers are innocent. Jim

09-20-2011, 08:08 PM	#3
hogger129 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,064	Re: More Fast & Furious in New Mexico So when will they bring Eric Holder, those ATF agents and the other members of our "representative" government to trial? Weren't they the ones that forced the gun dealers to sell the guns to the people like this Remington Reese guy above? But I guess it's not what you know, it's what you can prove. That's justice even if it doesn't give us what we want all the time. __________________ Samuel Adams once said, "among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life, secondly to liberty, thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can."

09-22-2011, 09:15 AM	#6
Palmetto V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 188	It gets worse... We should hold Eric Holder and the ATF responsible for being an accessory to these crimes. http://visiontoamerica.org/4244/issa...rious-weapons/

09-23-2011, 10:43 PM	#9
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: More Fast & Furious in New Mexico The absolute lunacy of the entire program makes me want to think there is something more than just selling guns to the cartels involved.. Since the fit hit the shan with this program, el Presidente Fox has called for a truce in Mexicos war with druggie bastards......and youve not heard of many more killings down South of the Rio Grande these days...The timing is just to convenient to be a coincidence... I dont know what it is, but it stinks...I just cant believe any high level bureacrat can be that stupid...unless he was told to be stupid... __________________ Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc'-ra-cy) - a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

09-23-2011, 11:35 PM	#10
HunterAlpha1 Former Guest Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Yorktown, VA Posts: 1,049	Re: More Fast & Furious in New Mexico one of the things i've noticed with American policy over time is that when the US Government wants to declare war on a nation without major military action, the first thing they do is arm that nation's enemies. and the cartels are The American People's enemies. take that how you will.