Sad News About Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, the Marine Previously Jailed in Mexico

12 Apr, 2016 by Greg Campbell

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Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi was betrayed by his government. Though our government welcomes millions of criminals into the U.S. from Mexico, a simple mistake by the veteran on the Mexican border led to seven months of hellish imprisonment and the Obama Administration did nothing to help the Marine. Now, Tahmooressi is facing legal trouble here in the U.S. for something fairly ridiculous: marijuana possession.

From the Independent Journal:

Mexican authorities released Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi from prison in November of 2014 after he spent seven months in a cell on the other side of the southern border.

But now Tahmooressi is in legal trouble on American soil.

The Marine Corps Times reports that Tahmooressi, age 27, was arrested for possession of marijuana in Indiana. He will serve a one month sentence.

In addition, Jonathan Franks, a spokesman for the Tahmooressi family, said his “family remains gravely concerned about Andrew’s mental health condition,” adding:

“They are further concerned, given his documented mental health diagnosis and the police’s own claim that he was disoriented upon arrest, that he was allowed to represent himself and plead guilty. The family is in the process of looking into re-opening the case so that a court ordered mental health exam may be conducted.”

According to the initial report, Tahmooressi was arrested last Thursday while smoking marijuana in his pickup truck.

Court records show that police noted that Tahmooressi had a “lethargic demeanor.”

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) issued a statement of sympathy on Monday that “sometimes those experiences can cause difficulty in the years that follow and for some, over an entire lifetime.”

Hunter was heavily involved in the process of freeing Tahmooressi from his captivity in Mexico.

“On top of it all, Andrew was incarcerated in a Mexican prison for a simple mistake and he felt abandoned by his government. Andrew deserves our support and respect—and I’m hoping he gets the help he needs,” Hunter’s statement read.”

This poor guy cannot catch a break.

Tahmooressi dealt with PTSD-related issues prior to his imprisonment in Mexico. Undoubtedly, his mental health issues only became worse. After finally being released, he is now facing charges in the U.S. for smoking weed?

Whether one is for or against legalization of marijuana, I think we can all agree that this is not the crime of the century. Assess a fine and move on.

Or, better yet, perhaps the government can take into account his wrongful imprisonment in a Mexican hellhole for seven months and give him time served.