Howie Glaser, owner of United Nations Ammo Co. – "Give me back my bullets"
Howie Glaser, owner of United Nations Ammo Company of Phoenix Arizona, and one of the players in the saga of US trucker Jabin Bogan, charged in Mexico with smuggling prohibited ammunition into the country, seems to be losing all pretense of concern for the welfare of Bogan.
Glaser’s underlying message at the end of the day is “Give me back my bullets!”
On his website, gone is the banner exhorting people to help free the “wrongfully imprisoned” US trucker and in it’s place, a pitch for “golf ball launchers”? That’s right folks, golf ball launchers, a device that attaches to the end of your grandma’s AK-47 or AR-15 and propels golf balls “hundreds of yards” (We imagine it could be made to propel something much more deadly, perhaps of the 40mm variety.)
There’s also two videos of interest on his website. Both are interviews by a moderator from NRA.com part of the National Rifle Association, so you know the slant there.
The first video, Glaser is being interviewed and continuously bemoans the fact of his loss and how devastating it is to him. He mentions this on a 3 to 1 ratio of his concern for the driver.
Interview with Howie Glaser, owner United Nations Ammo Co.
It’s nothing you haven’t heard before if you’ve been following this story as we have. The story changes just enough to fit the audience they are targeting.
The second video is also produced by NRA.com and features Carlos Spector, the El Paso attorney “coordinating” things on this side of the border and making certain people are riled up with impotent anger over Bogan’s predicament.
Interview with El Paso Attorney Carlos Spector
Both Glaser and Spector continue to maintain Bogan is being held as a political prisoner, which he is not, at least in the context his supporters want you to believe.
But what is revealing in this case is not what is being said, but what is being sugar coated by Glaser and the others. They type of ammunition that Bogan was carrying.
Glaser continues to maintain that the load was a legal load (which it was, in the US) of munitions used by sportsmen and hunters and consisted of 250,000 rounds of .308 cartridges and 18,000 rounds of .223 ammo packed in 16 cases of 1200 rounds, which if it hadn’t been lost, would be sold out in a days time. He scoffs at the idea that these munitions would fit the weapons used by the drug gangs in Mexico, and, depending on what day it is and who he is talking to, the ammo is also for sniper rifles and M-14 Ceremonial rifles, of the type used at military funerals.
What Glaser doesn’t want people to know, especially those that might otherwise believe that this load of ammunition is for hunters is that the .308 winchester cartridge also carries a NATO designation, 7.62mm. And while it may not work in the AK-47, it functions perfectly well in other assault style weapons found in Mexico and used by the drug gangs, such as, perhaps, the H&K G3? The drug gangs in Mexico are not married to any particular type and style of weapon, although the AK is preferred because of it’s ease of use and power. The bad boys in Mexico will take anything they can get their hands on sent to them from the US.
The argument is moot though. The 9 pallets of ammunition is gone, confiscated and according to a friend of mine who is a well regarded criminal defense attorney in Mexico City, will not be returned. Ditto on the rig that Bogan was driving. It was used in the commission of a crime.
As for Bogan? The same attorney advised me that it will take anywhere from 6 to 9 months for a judgment to be made in the case. It could take longer but he’d be very surprised if it took less time. And Bogan will probably receive the minimum sentence of 5 years. Depending on the goodwill of the Mexican government, Bogan could be handed over to US authorities to serve his sentence in a US facility, where of course, he would immediately be eligible for parole.
Spector, Glaser and everybody else claiming to support Bogan keep mentioning that it being a Presidential election year in Mexico, that Bogan is being used as a “political pawn”, an assertion that is ridiculous to say the least. Coverage of this case has all but died out in the Mexican media. Information will not be publicly available from the government agencies involved in this until after July 1st, the date of the elections. Article 41 of Mexico’s election laws prohibits dissemination or propaganda from government agencies in the 90 days leading up to voting. This includes information about Bogan’s case, which would otherwise be available. This is why the majority of the information out there is “spin” by the supporters of Bogan and common sense and logical analysis from the rest of us attempting to counter the spin and the resulting hysteria.
And we can expect more of all of it until the officials in Mexico are permitted by law to reveal the results of their investigation. Hopefully, during the next 45 days, while there is a continuing blackout of information from Mexico, Bogan won’t be hurt too much as his supporter inflame the public using the race card and try this case in the Court of Public Opinion, not that it will do them any good.
Oh, and for the record, Howie Glaser didn’t specifically say “Give me back my bullets” but he might have well had said it, putting a link to the Lynard Skynard video by the same name.
Supporters of US trucker Jabin Bogan, imprisoned in Mexico and charged with illegally introducing prohibited ammunition into the country continue to ignore the facts surrounding the case while spinning a story they hope will hit home in the court of public opinion.
Most of us who are real professional truckers, cannot comprehend how Bogan, a relative rookie with less than 4 years experience, could end up with his rig in Mexico. After all, the route into Mexico is well marked and the route Bogan was taking would have necessitated a deliberate left hand turn off the border highway to put him onto the bridge.
Only Bogan can tell us what his intent was. But I think we can all agree that Bogan is a person with a slop jar full of stupid who probably shouldn’t possess a CDL based on his lack of judgment that landed him in one of the most notorious prisons in Mexico. Did Bogan deliberately enter Mexico with the intent of smuggling the ammunition? I don’t believe he did but what I think and what everyone else thinks is immaterial at this point.
The point that Bogan’s supporter and those who are indecisive choose to ignore is that Jabin Bogan is guilty of the charge leveled against him. Introducing ammunition reserved for the exclusive use of the military into Mexico.
Let’s put aside the how’s, why’s, wherewithal’s and everything else. Let’s ignore the spin from his family, the ever changing scenario coming from his boss Dennis Mekenye and the rest, who just can’t seem to get it quite right and concentrate on the only thing that matters.
DID U.S. TRUCKER JABIN BOGAN ENTER THE UNITED STATES OF MEXICO WITH ARTICLES PROHIBITED UNDER THE LAWS OF THAT SOVEREIGN COUNTY?
There is only one answer to that question and that answer is a resounding and emphatic YES!
Those are the facts that his supporters choose to ignore, because, well, “it’s Mexico, and what right does a corrupt little third world country have arresting an innocent American truck driver”? I’m serious! You can’t make this crap up.
Enter into the fray Aubrey Allen Smith, a self described “truckers advocate and Dan Fuller, another trucker with an online presence. Smith, well known for his distaste and ignorance about Mexico and who never misses an opportunity to bash anything to do with Mexico, came out with an internet radio program about the Bogan case.
Dan Fuller, established a free web page to facilitate spreading the misinformation and catering to like minded people who think Mexico has no place in this hemisphere, much less a voice. Mr. Fuller’s justification for pursuing this is because he “remembers accidentally crossing into Canada numerous times in his career.” While that claim is as dubious as Bogan’s claim of “accidentally” entering Mexico, we’re sure he’ll stick to his story, regardless that it makes him look as incompetent as Bogan.
But back to Aubrey Allen Smith and his little internet radio program. Carefully choreographed with dissenting opinion not allowed and callers who do not agree with his point of view, quickly dispatched.
His guests included Bogan’s mother Aletha Smith, Carlos Spector, Bogan’s US attorney coordinating things on the US side, Dennis Mekenye, owner of DEMCO Transportation, Bogan’s employer and Howie Glaser, the owner of United Nations Ammo Co., the intended receiver of the ammunition.
Here’s a quick synopsis of the players.
Aubrey Allen Smith: Continued to point out he had copies of the Bill of Lading, Cashiers check for the ammunition and other evidence that it was a legal load, that Bogan is innocent and must be released. Smith deliberately misses the point or chooses to ignore it because it does not fit his agenda.
Dennis Mekenye: Make the incredulous and unbelievable statement in a voice with a heavy African accent, that he was born and raised along the border and knows how mistakes happen, then turns around and say he’s only been there a few times. He further claims that he tracks all of his vehicles with GPS that “pings” the truck every “5 minutes”, which is unrealistic, because it would be cost prohibitive. He further states that his abysmally poor safety record with the FMCSA should not be held against him and hopes said agency will issue a letter further absolving his company of any guilt.
Aletha Smith: I have sympathy for the woman, as a parent who has a child in trouble. But that feeling of sympathy has a limit and the limit is reached listening to her in this interview. At times, it seemed she was guiding the conversation in a pre planned direction, asking leading questions of the others so they could keep their stories straight. And then at what she considered the appropriate moment, the spirit hit her and oh my God, all the hysterical testifying, signifying and glorifying while the tears flowed. Enough about her.
Howie Glaser, owner of United Nation Ammo: This guy, in my opinion is a real sleeze. He’s lost $100,000.00 in product that according to him cannot be replaced but everything is lollipops and rainbows. All he is concerned about is that poor innocent boy being unfairly held in Mexico. Anybody believes that, I’ve got a tropical island in the middle of Wyoming I’ll sell you. His company, United Nations Ammo, was established in 2007, right about the time President Obama was elected and the rush was on to stock up on ammunition for the coming civil war, race war, whatever war the far right wingnuts could think up. His inventory has little to do with supplying the hunter or sportsmen unless said hunters and sportsmen are out in the desert perhaps, hunting Mexicans or preparing to wage war against our government. Legitimate hunters and sportsmen have no need to buy online from a store that sells parachute flares, .50 caliber and lower ammo including tracer rounds and other things of a quasi military nature. And Glaser can’t decide what was in the shipment he paid $100k for. At various times it’s been ammo for sniper rifles, AR-15 and M-14 ceremonial rifles, which all of us veterans know uses blanks. In this interview he claimed the shipment was 250,000 rounds of .308 caliber and 18,000 rounds of .223 ammo. Next time he’ll probably claim it was .22 caliber blanks. Glaser also misses the point. If it is ammunition, it is illegal to possess or import into Mexico.
Carlos Spector, El Paso Attorney: This man deserves and has a little respect from me for telling the truth, at least partially. He acknowledged that the justice system has made great strides toward modernization in recent years, which contrasts with Allen Smith’s assertion that it’s totally corrupt. Spector lays the corruption at the feet of the officials that inspected, discovered and arrested Bogan, and personally I think the blame is misplaced. In recent years, Aduanales Mexico, Mexico Customs has rid themselves of the old corrupt agents at the border and replaced them with college educated, thoroughly vetted and trained agents who, from my perspective and experience are dedicated to their jobs, and all have taken required courses in English.
Spector went on to explain that they’re “Judge shopping” hoping to get a particular judge in Juarez that would be sympathetic to Bogan’s case. Now, in my mind, that’s corrupt but I doubt if we hear Allen Smith or the rest complain since the corruption would benefit his cause. Hypocrisy anyone?
Spector also confirmed what I’ve said before. The load of ammunition is gone, confiscated, hasta la buh bye… To bad so sad, sucks to be you Howie, and this is a good thing. There is no telling how many lives will be saved in the deserts of Arizona, in Mexico and in the rest of the US with this crap off the streets.
Where Spector loses my respect was when he revealed his plans going forward. He stated that as soon as information is received, he’ll urge everyone to flood the Mexican prosecutors, the court the case is assigned to and the judge with phone calls, email and snail mail, demanding Bogan’s quick release.
Considering some of the comments we’ve seen around the internet regarding Mexican trucks, Bogan and other issues regarding Mexico, this kind of support could help Bogan get the full 30 year sentence.
At the end of the day though, Allen Smith and the rest can beat their chests, shout their demands and probably, profit from Jabin Bogan’s situation and they will still refuse to acknowledge one very simple but vital fact, and that is that Jabin Bogan Akeem is guilty of the crime he is charged with.
This sign, which has been here since at least 1999, is one of dozens in the El Paso area and along the border from Texas to California warning of the penalty for introducing guns and ammo into Mexico. No excuses, no justification. US trucker Jabin Bogan would have seen this sign. It appears he chose to ignore it and continued on into Mexico
Support for the US trucker arrested for smuggling military grade ammunition into Mexico on April 19 is growing and for all the wrong reasons.
Jabin Bogan, a driver for Demco Express in Arlington Texas, supposedly made a “wrong turn” and found himself in Mexico where the 9 pallets of military grade ammo was discovered among other cargo.
The ammo load was a legitimate haul, on the US side of the border, but in the sovereign United States of Mexico, introducing it into the country whether by mistake or intentionally is a serious violation of Mexican law.
FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS
Had Bogan made a “wrong turn” on the northern border, ended up in Canada, which like on the Mexican border, is extremely difficult to do, he would have been detained, probably arrested on similar charges and held while the Canadian justice system processed his case. And there would have been little if any outcry.
But it happened on the southern border, where elements of our industry and the public think that Mexico has no right whatsoever to enforce it’s laws against the US or Americans that may violate them.
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Photo of approaches to Bridge of the America's in El Paso, the border crossing and the Mexican Customs and Inspection facility
Mexico Trucker Online has learned where the locations and route of Jabin Bogan’s deliveries in El Paso where he claims to have accidentally and inadvertently entered Mexico with 9 pallets of prohibited military grade ammo. Bogan was immediately arrested by Mexican authorities for importing illegal munitions into Mexico and yesterday was formally charged.
Bogan’s first of three stops in El Paso was to (A) Siemen Energy and Automation, 1400 Henry Brennan in El Paso. As you can see from the graphic, Siemans is north of I-10.
The second of three stops was at (B)Nichirin Coupler Inc., 9600 Plaza Circle in El Paso, just off of Loop 375 commonly known as the border highway.
Finishing this stop, Bogan’s final stop in El Paso would have been (C) Carefusion at 1550 Northwestern Dr on the far westside of El Paso.
The logical and most direct route that most truckers would take to get to the third and final stop in El Paso, would be to backtrack on Loop 375 (Avenue of the Americas) to I-10 and continue west to Sunland Park where his final drop was.
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Jabin Bogan, 27, has been formally charged by Mexican prosecutors with smuggling 268,000 rounds of military grade ammunition into Mexico without permission.
Jabin Bogan, the driver for DEMCO Transportation, who was caught with 268,000 rounds of military grade ammunition when he “inadvertantly” crossed into Mexico from El Paso, has been formally charged with violating Mexico’s uber strict gun laws.
Bogan was charged yesterday with importing ammunition exclusive to the Mexican military, a crime that could put him behind bars in Mexico for 5-35 years.
Under Mexican law, Bogan, through his attorney, now has 30 days to appeal the indictment. In other words, he will be appealing the charges and the charging document, and a Federal judge assigned the case will decide if the charges stand and he is held to answer the charges.
Dennis MeKenye of Demco Transportation. Bogan’s boss has been harping that they have documentation proving Bogan made a wrong turn by accident. That “documentation”, the Bills of Lading for the load, only prove that the 9 pallets of military grade ammunition was being legally hauled between the shipper in Tennessee and the receiver in Phoenix. It does not prove one way or the other Bogan’s intent and whether his foray into Mexico was planned or accidental. But McKenye, seems to think that these documents, will prove his employees innocence and result in his release and has been demanding Mexico accept them at face value.
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Mexican Forensic team examines the body of 15 year old Sergio Adrian Hernandez Güereca, murdered in cold blood by a cowardly US Border Patrol officer Jesus Mesa Jr. who sent multiple rounds across the Mexican/US border.
The outcome of the case against the US trucker charged with smuggling 268,000 rounds of ammunition into Mexico last week could be further complicated by the conclusions of an investigationreleased by the US Department of Justice on Friday.
On June 7, 2010, Border Patrol Agent Jesus Mara Jr, according to witnesses and video, without provocation shot and killed 15 year old Sergio Adrian Hernandez Güereca who was standing behind a bridge pillar on Mexican soil.
The US Department of Justice launched an investigation and the results of that investigation were released on Friday
In essence, it said that Border Patrol Agent Jesus Mara Jr. “did not act inconsistently with CBP policy or training regarding use of force.” and that ” there was insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal charges against Border Patrol agent Jesus Mara Jr.”
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The US trucker charged with smuggling ammunition exclusive to the military is being held in the Villa Aldama CERESO en the Gulf Coast state of Veracruz
U.S. embassy officials in Mexico say the Mexican government is charging the Jabin Bogen Akeem, the trucker arrested last week with 268,000 bullets in Ciudad Juarez with smuggling military ammunition. This is the more severe of the two possible charges available to prosecutors.
An embassy statement Thursday says 27-year-old trucker is confined to the Villa Aldama federal prison in the state of Veracruz and could face up to 35 years in prison.
Upon announcement of the charges, Jabin Bogen Akeem is expected to be moved back to Cd Juarez to await a decision of the Federal Judge who will be assigned the case.
A decision could take as much as two years to be rendered. Although in some Mexican states, the Ministry Justice is experimenting with open trials, Akeem’s trial will likely be conducted in the old manner.
Testimony, from both the prosecution and defense, including evidence, is presented to the presiding judge who ultimately renders a verdict.
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Jabin Bogan, 27, was arrested by Mexican authorities as he tried to do a U-turn at the border outside of El Paso Tuesday. Bogan was transporting 268,000 rounds of ammo to Phoenix when his family says he took a wrong turn and ended up at the border. He is pictured here with his mother, Aletha Smith. [Photo – WFAA
The story of the American trucker, Jabin Akeem Bogan, or Jabin Bogan Akeem, depending on who’s reporting it, is beginning to have the hard questions asked that goes beyond the “human interest” side of the story.
Now, the question is, “Will he be charged” and if so, what will the charges be?
The El Paso Times, who has been on top of this story is reporting that Mexico Will charge the driver with violation of provisions within Mexico’s antigun laws.
Bogan could face between four and 15 years in prison if charged with possession and between 10 and 15 years if charged and convicted of introducing cartridges of exclusive use by the military, said Salvador Urbina, a defense attorney in Juarez.
His case will be resolved by the fifth district court in Juárez, where a federal judge has 72 hours to determine if Bogan will remain in prison until his next court date and what will happen with the seized rounds of ammunition.
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