Mexican Judge Orders U.S. Marine Veteran Andrew Tahmooressi be Freed from Mexican Jail

FINALLY,  AFTER 214 DAYS IN A MEXICAN JAIL …ANDREW TAHMOORESSI FREED!!!

Judge Victor Octavio Luna Escobedo of the Sixth Federal District Court in Tijuana ordered the immediate release of a U.S. Marine veteran Andrew Tahmooressi, who was being held in a Mexican jail on possession of weapons charges. Tahmooressi had been jailed since March 31, 2014 when he accidentally crossed the US/Mexican border with ammunition and three loaded weapons. The judge ordered his release on humanitarian grounds and dismissed the case on the grounds that were that Tahmooressi was unfit to stand trial because he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

VIDEO – CBS News

A Mexican federal district judge in Tijuana on Friday ordered the immediate release of a U.S. Marine veteran being held in Baja California on federal weapons charges.

Andrew Tahmooressi, who was on trial for crossing the border with ammunition and three loaded weapons on March 31, returned to the United States Friday night and flew to his family’s home in Florida.

The decision by the Mexican Attorney General’s Office to cease its prosecution of Tahmooressi brings to a close a high-profile case that has resounded far beyond the border.

In the United States, it prompted calls for Tahmooressi’s release from politicians, veterans groups and conservative talk show hosts. But for months there had been an impasse, as Mexican federal prosecutors insisted that the case be resolved through the courts — not through diplomatic or political pressure.

U.S. Marine reservist freed from Mexican prison, arrives in San Diego

Mexico freed U.S. Marine reservist Sgt. Andrew Paul Tahmooressi, who’d been held in a prison there for seven months.

Tahmooressi boarded a flight for Miami from San Diego.

“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,” relatives said in a statement Friday night.

Tahmooressi family spokesman Jonathan Franks said Friday night in a statement: “The family is overjoyed. They are asking for privacy at this time.”

The court said it found no cause to prosecute Tahmooressi on charges of carrying two firearms used exclusively by the military, possessing cartridges used exclusively by the military and carrying a firearm without a license

The court also recommended he be treated for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Reactions following Andrew Tahmooressi’s release:

“It’s a victory for American veterans,” said former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who had talked to Mexican officials to urge them to release retired Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi on humanitarian grounds. “It’s a victory for the United States.”

U.S. Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was “elated” by the news and that his PTSD will be treated by specialists in the United States. He had met with Tahmooressi in jail and talked to Mexico’s Jesus Murillo Karam about the case.