Obama wrong on Hoerig case; congressional action warranted

The Obama administration has its priorities skewed when it comes to Brazil — as evidenced by its decision to extradite a Brazilian man wanted for attempted murder, while refusing to force the South American country to send back the accused killer of Air Force Reserve Maj. Karl Hoerig of Newton Falls.

It has been eight years since Hoerig, a decorated veteran who had flown 200 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, was murdered in cold blood.

His wife, Claudia Hoerig, arrived in Brazil about the time her husband’s body was discovered in their Newton Falls home. She had dual citizenship at the time, American and Brazilian, and although she was subsequently indicted by a Trumbull County grand jury of aggravated murder with a gun specification, the Brazilian government has ignored Prosecutor Dennis Watkins’ extradition request. That breach of legal protocol has been supported by President Barack Obama, who has ignored repeated calls from members of Congress, led by U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, and Bill Johnson of Marietta, R-6th, and Ohio Sens. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, and Rob Portman, a Republican, to intervene on behalf of the Trumbull County prosecutor, the family of the late Maj. Hoerig, and the residents of the Mahoning Valley.

Last week, Caylon Botelho Carreiro, who had fled to the United States to escape arrest, was sent back to Brazil after he was nabbed by officers of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations. The agencies worked closely with Interpol in their search for Carreiro, who had entered the U.S. illegally.

“We are committed to tracking down international fugitives who have sought to use the United States as a safe haven,” said Lev Kubiak, assistant director for International Operations. “Carreiro will now have to account for his actions before the Brazilian judicial system.”

Why won’t the White House use the same standard in the Hoerig case? Claudia Hoerig is a fugitive from justice, has been indicted under the American judicial system and is guaranteed a fair trial in Trumbull County. Yet, the government of Brazil continues to protect her, and President Obama serves as an accessory to this travesty of justice.

Congressman Ryan’s reaction to Carreiro’s extradition is both appropriate and timely.

“I am furious that the Department of Homeland Security would deport this Brazilian fugitive caught on U.S. soil while Claudia Hoerig is living freely in Brazil. We should stand firm and refuse to make any Brazilian deportation until they release Claudia Hoerig to the U.S. Marshals so she can fully stand trial for the murder of Major Karl Hoerig.”

Legislative initiatives

Ryan, who has launched several legislative initiatives to force the Brazlilan government’s hand, pledged to introduce two different measures “that will give the United States the leverage we need to make Brazil do the right thing and send Claudia Hoerig back to Ohio to stand trial.”

The congressman is pursuing the appropriate strategy given that the Republicans who control the House and Senate have long claimed to be champions of America’s men and women in uniform. They should have no qualms about supporting any legislation that aims to ensure justice is served in the murder of a highly respected Air Force Reserve major.

Late last year, Watkins received a letter from the U.S. Justice Department asking for copies of all documents in the case so they could be sent to Brazilian authorities in their prosecution of Claudia Hoerig. The Trumbull County prosecutor immediately sensed a whitewash and denied the documents request.

The Obama administration has not earned the Valley’s trust on this matter.