The New York Times reports today that the Minutemen’s poster boy, Roger Barnett, an Arizona rancher and retired sheriff’s deputy, has lost a lawsuit to two Mexican hunters who were accosted with one’s three young children. They sued Mr. Barnett for unlawful detention, emotional distress and other claims.
Ronald Morales, testified that Mr. Barnett used expletives and ethnically derogatory remarks as he sought to kick them off state-owned property he leases. Then, Mr. Morales said, Mr. Barnett pulled an AR-15 assault rifle from his truck and pointed it at them as they drove off, traumatizing the girls.
They were awarded $98,750. Local authorities have declined to prosecute Mr. Barnett criminally, citing a lack of evidence or ambiguity within the laws. He claims to have captured over 12,000 illegal immigrants on his land.
Mr. Barnett prevailed in a suit in the summer when a jury ruled against a fellow rancher who had sued, accusing him of trespassing on his property as he pursued immigrants. Another suit last year was dropped when the plaintiff, who had returned to Mexico, decided not to return to press the case.
Another lawsuit representing 16 immigrants was brought by the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund against Mr. Barnett. But immigrants from Mexico are often returned to their country within hours and they are often under the impression that their deportation will go quicker without their complaints. This, they see as a quicker opportunity to return. It was months before the victims could be located for the suit which is pending.
The court actions are the latest example of attempts by immigrant rights groups to curb armed border-monitoring groups by going after their money, if not their guns. They have won civil judgments in Texas, and this year two illegal Salvadoran immigrants who had been held against their will took possession of a 70-acre ranch in southern Arizona after winning a case last year.
Oh sweet irony! Illegal immigrants winning their own ranch in the U.S. due to the illegal machismo of these overgrown children who find pleasure in hunting the defenseless. If they're so tough, why aren't they in Iraq?