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U.S. Marine to be released from Mexican custody
Former U.S. Marine Jon Hammar is set to be released by Mexican authorities on Friday, after unreleting pressure from American lawmakers on local authorities to hand over the Iraq and Afghan war vet.
American officials secured Hammar's freedom when the judge presiding over his illegal weapons possession case in Mexico found the U.S. citizen not guilty and ordered his release, Hammar's mother Olivia told Fox News.
The former Marine, who sufferers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to multiple combat tours in Southwest Asia, was heading into Mexico as part of a surfing trip with a fellow Marine Corps veteran when he was arrested.
While incarcerated, Hammar's family reportedly recieved extortion threats by Mexican nationals threatening to kill the Marine Corps veteran.
News of the threats sparked outrage among many on Capitol Hill, with many lawmakers pressing Mexican diplomats to secure Hammar's release.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), whose district Hammar's family resides in, drafted a letter Thursday to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Department of Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano calling for the Marine's release.
House Armed Services Committee member and former Marine Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) has called for an immediate travel ban on Mexico until Hammar is returned to the United States.
News of Hammar's release drew praise from Duncan and others, but the California Republican noted the case would not be closed until Hammar is safe within U.S. borders.
“I’m glad better sense prevailed in Mexico and there’s now a plan in place for Jon Hammar’s release," Hunter said in a statement Friday. "It’s unfortunate that Jon and his family had to endure this situation, but the issue is only resolved when he steps foot back on American soil."
