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Texas Sheriff Still Looking to Charge DeSantis With a Crime over Martha's Vineyard Illegal Immigrant Flights

AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

It seems to be proven true time and time again: The left will always telegraph who they are most afraid of. The current plan seems to be if they can manage to get former president and current candidate Donald Trump thrown in jail for something, the next scariest Republican in line is Florida Governor and fellow presidential candidate Ron DeSantis. On Monday, Bexar County Texas Sheriff’s Deputy and department spokesman Johnny Garcia announced that it has been recommended that criminal charges be filed by a San Antonio district attorney related to last fall’s transporting of 49 illegal immigrants, who were reportedly seeking asylum, to Martha’s Vineyard by DeSantis. Garcia did not say who charges would be filed against but did state that the charges would include felony and misdemeanor charges of unlawful restraint. Garcia also stated, “At this time, the case is being reviewed by the DA’s office. Once an update is available, it will be provided to the public. We’re not naming the suspect at this time or the amount of charges that are being filed.”

So, who is this dedicated and dogged pursuer of law and order, following in the footsteps of that other famous Texas lawman, Sheriff Buford T. Justice? He is Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. Salazar has been in “high-speed” pursuit of charges against DeSantis since last September, when the illegal immigrants were flown from San Antonio, Texas, to Martha’s Vineyard, a self-proclaimed “sanctuary” for illegals, by DeSantis. Among Salazar’s accusations, is that a Venezuelan immigrant was paid to recruit other immigrants to make the trip to Martha’s Vineyard. Salazar also alleges that immigrants were “lured” onto planes bound for the Vineyard, and told they would be assisted in finding jobs. DeSantis has denied any and all accusations. Salazar also signed off on certificates called “U visas,” for each of the immigrants who flew to Martha’s Vineyard. U visas allow victims of crimes who are illegally in the country to provide information about those crimes to authorities without fear of deportation, etc. In the days following the Martha’s Vineyard flights, DeSantis stated that he was trying to prevent illegals from coming to Florida. He also said:

If you have folks that are inclined to think Florida is a good place, our message to them is we are not a sanctuary state and it’s better to be able to go to a sanctuary jurisdiction. And, yes, we will help facilitate that transport for you.

Javier Salazar’s dogged pursuit of law and order aside, Ron DeSantis now being a declared presidential candidate gives him even more reason to attempt to press charges — any charges — against him. Salazar is not afraid to use his political beliefs in conjunction with his office. He joined protesters in marches for George Floyd in 2020. He fired a Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant for attending the January 6 rally at the U.S. Capitol, and being a supporter of Donald Trump, although Roxanne Mathai was not charged with any criminal activity. Last summer, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Salazar declared that he would not be charging women in San Antonio who sought abortions. And most recently, declared he would not go along with the Texas Attorney General, who stated that gender-affirming treatments for children amounted to child abuse.

Salazar and his fellow Joe Biden supporters no doubt think that if they can charge Ron DeSantis with some sort of mistreatment of illegals, it will prevent Hispanics from supporting him. He has even gotten help from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who also recently received his own batch of illegal immigrants. It was apparently too much for Newsom, who stated that the California Department of Justice would conduct an investigation and rambled on about how DeSantis could face kidnapping charges. Newsom went on to call DeSantis a “small pathetic man.” Wait a minute, isn’t California a sanctuary state? Evidently, only when you want it to be, and if it helps your own possible presidential aspirations.

Meanwhile, we will await charges against Gov. DeSantis in Bexar County, Texas with breathless anticipation.

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