Mexico orders immediate release of US Marine
Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi
Updated: The Associated Press first reported and Twitter photos on The Blaze confirm from San Diego that a Mexican judge ordered the immediate release of a jailed U.S. Marine veteran who spent eight months (240 days) behind bars for crossing the border with loaded guns.
The judge on Friday directed Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi (Tah-mor-EE-si) to be freed because of his mental state and did not make a determination on the unsubstantiated illegal arms charges against the Afghanistan veteran diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a Mexican official who acknowledged the ruling.
Maybe there is reason to trust the Mexico judicial system in the future. Photos are showing Tahmooressi uniting with his family in the United States. However, this entire incident suggests travel by any American to Mexico should be carefully considered.
Tahmooressi said he took a wrong turn on a California freeway that funneled him into a Tijuana port of entry with no way to turn back. His detention brought calls for his freedom from U.S. politicians, veterans groups and social media campaigns.
Tulsa Today ran a free graphic ad linking to his family's social media page since this ordeal began. That display has now be removed.
"It is with an overwhelming and humbling feeling of relief that we confirm that Andrew was released today after spending 214 days in Mexican Jail," the family said in a statement according to the AP.
Photo from Twitter via The Blaze.
Click here for more from the Associated Press.
The Blaze reports and Photographs show some very happy faces.