"EXCLUSIVE: RICHARD MEDINA HAS BEEN RELEASED!"

WEBMASTER'S THOUGHTS

Richard has been released today and I want to thank everyone for their support. I would also like to thank the U.S. Government and U.S Army for helping out as well as NBC and Fresno's KSEE24.com. Also, I want to thank the Mexican Government for being fair in their decision to release Richard and hope we can all learn something from this.

On April 21st, 2008, U.S. Army Specialist Richard R. Medina was arrested by Mexican Federal Agents for crossing the Mexican border with his personal AR-15 assault rifle, a .45 caliber handgun, ammunition, and three knives in the trunk of his 1999 Honda Prelude.

Richard says that he accidently crossed from El Paso, Texas, into Juarez, Mexico after a long night of driving and faulty directions from a gas station attendant. He was looking for a parking spot so he could walk over into Mexico for breakfast.

Apparently he did not see the signs that strictly prohibit weapons and ammunition and promise a lengthy prison sentence. He was not even aware that he was in Mexico until he crossed over and started asking for directions to turn back around (he doesn't speak Spanish.) He was then stopped and questioned by Mexican Federal Agents and asked if he had drugs or weapons on board.

Feeling he had nothing to hide he told the agents about his personal weapons cache. Unfortunately, this mistake has cost Richard his freedom and a judge has to decide soon whether he will be sentenced up to 15 years of hard prison time in Mexico or be released.

Read the full article here: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/ap_soldierarrestedinmexico_042408/

Richard Medina has served the United States in Iraq as a Specialist in the U.S. Army. Regardless of political views on the war and the circumstances surrounding the incident, he has willingly enlisted to fight for America and now it's time for...

...AMERICA TO FIGHT FOR RICHARD!

The Mexican government is holding Richard and the American people ask for his release. In my opinion, it seems to me like the Mexican Government is trying to make a statement or example out of Richard because of the U.S. crackdown on illegal immigration.

Richard is one of us and he was not involved in criminal activity. He was not smuggling drugs, supplying weapons to cartels, or involved in any criminal enterprise. He did not go into Mexico as a combatant, soldier, or representative of the U.S. government on any politics; he entered as a civilian.

He was at the wrong place, at the wrong time and made an un-intentional mistake. Whether he saw the signs showing that weapons and ammunition were banned or not is unclear and is at the center of debate.

What we do know is that we the American people must petition our government to have them work diligently with the Mexican Government for a quick release.

From the news articles I have been reading, U.S. and Army officials are already negotiating at the table with Mexican officials.

I need your help in getting national media exposure and support from students, veterans, and citizens alike everywhere.

Take action! You can download a flyer to pass around in your communities, colleges, and military bases if allowed.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FLYER

Right click and choose "save as"

It's in PDF format and will print in 8.5 X 11.

READ THE RICHARD MEDINA BLOG AND POST YOUR SUPPORTIVE COMMENTS!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RICHARD MEDINA BLOG

MEDIA: To contact George Alesna (webmaster) please email: george@releaserichard.com