PRESS RELEASE
July 19, 2011

KOSTER BLASTS FEDS FOR PROSECUTION OF LYNDEN FARMER; CITES INCOHERENT LARSEN/OBAMA IMMIGRATION POLICIES AS CAUSE

 LYNDEN, WA - July 19, 2011- In a message written by John Koster to Whatcom County Republicans and delivered in a speech in Lynden by a campaign representative on Saturday, Koster blasted the Federal prosecution of Lynden farmer Wayne Groen and the incoherent border policies of President Obama and Congressman Rick Larsen.

 "This is the heavy hand of the Federal Government at its worst," said Koster. "Here we have a relatively minor incident where a law abiding citizen of the United States shines a flashlight into the eyes of a helicopter pilot hovering over his private property some 500 feet above. A brash and imprudent thing to do? Yes, but not the stuff of a federal prosecution."

 

Groen's Lawyer, Jeffrey Lustick, told a crowd of several hundred concerned citizens who gathered at a June 21st community meeting in Lynden that he was shocked when he heard the U.S. attorney handling the case wanted prison time for Groen (he was originally to be charged with a misdemeanor), and that "most of all they wanted to make an example out of Wayne Groen and send a message to all of you...that this type of behavior would not be tolerated."

The Federal Prosecutor in this case, Jenny Durkan , is an Obama appointee who served as a confidante to Democratic Governors Mike Lowry and Chris Gregoire.

The Groen situation was first brought to John Koster's attention by concerned citizens having difficulties getting the attention of their federal officials on this matter. Mr. Koster has since spoken to Mr. Groen's wife, his attorney, friends, neighbors and other concerned citizens.

"I have been told that Congressman Larsen's office has been contacted repeatedly about the case yet there has been no response," said Koster. "Nor was Larsen or any staff present at the community meeting in Lynden July 21 that was held in support of Mr. Groen."

Koster has been highly critical of Larsen's record on illegal immigration in the past. His comments on Saturday spelled out his extreme displeasure and disbelief that current border policies are so conflicted "that we are now prosecuting the people that we are supposed to be protecting. Congressman Larsen repeatedly votes the pro-amnesty side on illegal immigration, yet ignores the grave predicament of one of his own constituents."

President Obama and Congressman Larsen have consistently failed to protect our borders and its citizens. Instead, private citizen, family man, and Lynden farmer, Wayne Groen, is facing a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney's Office spokeswoman, Emily Langlie, said that Groen would likely get something far below the 20 year maximum. Nevertheless, he is scheduled for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Zilly on Aug. 4.

On June 27, Koster wrote a letter to Washington State Congressional Representatives Doc Hastings and Cathy McMorris Rodgers explaining the situation. He also discussed the matter via telephone with McMorris Rodgers last week and plans to continue bringing attention to the Groen family's plight as well as to certain unresolved relational issues between the property owners and the U.S. Border Patrol.

"After attending the June 21 meeting, it is obvious to me that the situation along the northern border has become increasingly tense between the private property owners and the USBP", said Koster.

While the property owners appreciate the efforts and zeal of the USBP to defend the northern borders from the threats posed by terrorists, drug runners, and illegal aliens, the prosecution of Wayne Groen for a relatively minor mistake committed on his own property appears to be heavy-handed and overreaching at the very least. There is a strong need for better communication between property owners and those we hire to defend U.S. citizens and our borders.

John Koster is urging citizens to lodge complaints about the prosecution of Wayne Groen via e-mail or telephone as soon as possible to the offices of Congressman Rick Larsen , Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell .

Additionally, Koster suggests letters of support for Wayne Groen be addressed and e-mailed or sent to Wayne Groen's attorney (Jeffrey Lustick) as soon as possible:

Lustick Law Firm, PLLC - Bellingham Branch Office
222 Grand Avenue, Suite "A"
Bellingham, WA 98225
Fax: (360) 734-4222
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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