On Tuesday, Deputy Brian Ishmael of El Dorado, California was laid to rest – two weeks after being killed on duty while responding to a robbery.
Thursday, two illegal immigrants were indicted by a federal grand jury on accusations of murdering Ishmael.
At the hearing, Sheriff John D’Agostini blasted California Governor Gavin Newsom for electing to skip the funeral of the deputy.
D’Agostini said that Newson, “had an important meeting with PG&E. One morning out of his busy schedule to respect my deputy and his family I don’t think is too much to ask.”
The sheriff also criticized Democrat-run California's sanctuary policies and held them in part to blame for the murder, as well as other preventable crime caused by illegal aliens in our nation.
More on this, from Fox News:
The same day a federal grand jury indicted two illegal immigrants accused of murdering Deputy Brian Ishmael, El Dorado Sheriff John D’Agostini took aim at California’s drug and sanctuary policies, singling out Gov. Gavin Newsom for skipping his funeral in favor of a meeting with the state’s beleaguered power provider.
Ishmael was laid to rest Tuesday, about two weeks after he responded to an alleged robbery.
Officials say the incident was actually sparked by a spat among several men – at least two of whom were Mexican nationals illegally in the U.S. -- involved in an illegal marijuana growing operation. When one of them came to believe he wouldn’t be paid a previously agreed-upon amount, that man called 911 and said he was being robbed, authorities said. Soon after Ishmael arrived on the scene, one of the men allegedly opened fire, hitting Ishmael above his protective vest. Ishmael died minutes later.
“[Newsom] had an important meeting with PG&E,” D’Agostini said Thursday, according to The Sacramento Bee. “One morning out of his busy schedule to respect my deputy and his family I don’t think is too much to ask.”
Newsom’s office told the Bee later Thursday that the Democratic governor sent representatives to the funeral in his place, along with a letter from Newsom to Ishmael’s family.
The Sacramento Bee added more about Sheriff John D'Agostini's criticism of Newsom and the liberal government of California following the murder of his deputy:
A federal grand jury in Sacramento on Thursday indicted four men who authorities blame for the death of El Dorado Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Ishmael two weeks ago, part of a concerted effort by federal and local prosecutors to bring maximum penalties against the suspects.
The indictments came as Sheriff John D’Agostini and other law enforcement leaders severely criticized California’s sanctuary state laws for hindering their investigation. D’Agostini also singled out Gov. Gavin Newsom for failing to attend Ishmael’s funeral Tuesday.
“He had an important meeting with PG&E,” the sheriff said. “One morning out of his busy schedule to respect my deputy and his family I don’t think is too much to ask.”
The governor’s office said later that Newsom sent representatives with a letter from him to Ishmael’s family.
“Governor Newsom was represented in Deputy Ishmael’s funeral by his public safety liaison Wayne Bilowit, who presented a letter to the family on behalf of the governor and CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley,” spokeswoman Vicky Waters wrote in an email.
Officials blast California sanctuary, marijuana laws
D’Agostini’s remarks came during a news conference in Sacramento with U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott and El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson, and officials used the occasion to also lash out at California’s marijuana laws.
They also emphasized that investigators were unable to determine the identity of the alleged gunman for two days because of state law that limits the ability of federal immigration authorities to question county jail inmates.
Eventually, Scott said, he was able to speak with state Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who helped pave the way for the FBI to seek information about the suspected gunman and his alleged accomplice, both who were eventually identified as Mexican nationals who were in this country illegally.
“We shouldn’t have to go through these hurdles to try to figure out who two guys are from Mexico who just killed a deputy sheriff,” Scott said.
The sheriff added that the delay in determining who the suspects were may mean that others who may have been involved in the conspiracy were able to get away.
“Please call this what this is,” the sheriff asked reporters at the news conference. “Don’t soften it.
“This tragedy was due to an illegal alien tending an illegal marijuana grow who murdered my deputy. That’s what it is.”
Scott made similar comments, saying he knows the term “is not politically correct,” but that it fits the legal definition of the charges in the indictment.
“I have been informed in the last 24 hours that (Homeland Security) has confirmed that both are citizens of Mexico and neither has legal status in the United States,” he said. “Thus, they are legally correctly described as ‘illegal aliens.’ ”
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!