Charges against agent dropped; woman does not want case pursued

By Jonathon Shacat
WICK NEWS SERVICE
Published/Last Modified on Saturday, April 26, 2008 1:56 PM MDT


DOUGLAS — Justice of the Peace Alma Vildosola has dismissed charges against a Border Patrol agent who was arrested last week on seven counts related to a domestic violence incident against a woman.


Josue Cedres was charged with four felonies and three misdemeanors for alleged crimes that took place April 14 in Douglas, including aggravated assault, kidnapping, endangerment, domestic violence assault, domestic violence disorderly conduct, domestic violence threatening and intimidating, and domestic violence criminal damage.

Deputy County Attorney Marc Offenhartz filed a motion dated Thursday seeking to dismiss the charges because the victim contacted Gilbert Aguilar, a Douglas police officer, on Tuesday and informed him she would not cooperate with the prosecution.

Vildosola signed an order granting the dismissal on Thursday. The charges were dismissed without prejudice, which means prosecutors can still file the charges against him again in the future. Cedres was released from the Cochise County Jail.

In a statement released Friday, the Cochise County Attorney’s Office said, “We consider this case to be a very serious case of domestic violence, but we received a letter from the victim that she does not want to pursue charges. She does not deny that the offense occurred, but does not want to pursue it.

“The victim lives out of state and is not available to us. We dismissed the case without prejudice to re-evaluate it and determine whether or not we can go forward without the victim’s cooperation and without having the victim available to us.”

Copyright © 2012 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Nina wrote on Apr 30, 2008 11:42 AM:

    " It's nice to see the blind hatred for the Border Patrol is still alive and well in Douglas. To have actually read the article would of led you to believe that Cedres was released and charges dropped based upon a non-cooperating victim who resides out of state. Thankfully I read the comments and know it was because of his previous job. "

    yeah right wrote on Apr 30, 2008 2:03 AM:

    " The count attorney could have gone o. And prossecuted. I know they do so without the victims cooperation. If you have a badge and a gun you can get away with murder. It has happened before (here in Douglas). I know a couple of police officers have gotten away with domestic charges as well. Back the Badge. Right??? "

    Follow The Law wrote on Apr 29, 2008 5:53 PM:

    " Kidnapping I believe is a class 2 felony which in the state of Arizona is mandatory prison. Lets forget about the title this man holds and follow the law for many eyes are reading this articles and now believe that if man beats on wife its okay as long as wife dont want to press charges. Lets follow the laws of this land and put this man behind bars were everyone man that has raised his hand and kidnapped someone has gone to regardless of his title.......... We have young adults reading too..... "

    wrote on Apr 28, 2008 9:00 AM:

    " I know this case is looked upon and people think... Oh look there goes another Border Patrol Agent getting into trouble. I dont think it should be looked upon that way. Because it was that (former) agent's mistake. Not the rest of the Patrols'. "

    Great Example wrote on Apr 27, 2008 6:10 PM:

    " Its great to know that the young adults planning to be Border Patrols know now that if they ever get into any trouble not to worry because your title will make everything just fine. Beating on your wife is ok, is the example we are sending out, but only in Douglas they can get away with it. What ever happen to treating people the same way any other person with 4 felonies and 3 misdemeanors especially D.V. would have been charged if not by the victim for sure from the State. I pray it stops here. "

    Ban Dumb People wrote on Apr 27, 2008 10:19 AM:

    " And this is how abusive men get away... "

    LaLa wrote on Apr 27, 2008 9:14 AM:

    " Who made the wrong choice here? The women or the County Attorney? I just hope we don't see or here any bad results of this choice by the women or the County Attorney. We all know the outcome is usually a bad one. Look at the charges that were filed, this person should be locked up. We just just have to hope this women never comes back around OR that he does not find her. "

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