This is beyond infuriating. It’s an insult to every law-abiding citizen and a slap in the face to the family of fallen Washington State Trooper Christopher Gadd.

The facts: Raul Benitez-Santana, 33, an alleged illegal alien from Mexico, stands accused of driving at speeds over 100 miles per hour while under the influence of drugs and alcohol and crashing into the back of a Washington State patrol cruiser on Interstate 5 near Marysville in March 2024. Trooper Christopher Gadd, 27, was sitting in the driver’s seat of his patrol car while parked on the shoulder during a traffic stop and was killed instantly in the collision. Prosecutors charged Benitez-Santana with vehicular homicide and vehicular assault in connection with the deadly crash.

However, the Public Defender assigned to Benitez-Santana, is requesting that the entire case be dismissed based on alleged prosecutorial misconduct arising from the State contacting ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in violation of the Keep Washington Working Act which restricts local law enforcement agencies’ involvement in federal immigration enforcement to protect the rights and dignity of all residents by limiting collaboration with agencies like ICE and CBP.

This wasn’t just a crime — it was an act of reckless, deadly violence that took the life of a modern-day hero.

But instead of justice being served swiftly and absolutely, what do we get?

A public prosecutor defending this illegal alien, asking the court to dismiss the case, not because the man is innocent, but because of some bureaucratic nonsense about sharing information with ICE. Apparently, the prosecutor “colluded” with federal immigration officers, violating Washington’s absurd sanctuary laws, which prohibit local authorities from cooperating with ICE.

Let that sink in: The very laws that are supposed to protect citizens’ civil rights are being twisted to serve as a shield to let a criminal off the hook, one who killed a police officer while drunk and high. The defense claims that the prosecutor’s office illegally handed over Benitez-Santana’s criminal info to ICE, so now the whole case should be tossed out.

Seriously?

Bottom line…

Driving drunk and high at triple-digit speeds, killing a state trooper, and the response. “Oops, sorry, can’t prosecute because of sanctuary law technicalities, is lunacy.

Officer Gadd deserved better. Washington’s citizens deserve better. Our laws must protect those who protect us, not let criminals exploit legal loopholes to avoid accountability.

Progressive communist democrats with their sanctuary laws have created a legal safe haven for criminals and are putting innocent people, including our law enforcement officers, in the grave. It’s a political nightmare where protecting illegal immigrants takes precedence over protecting American lives.

This isn’t justice. It’s a travesty.

We are so screwed except for Judges like Superior Court Judge Karen Moore who denied the motion to dismiss, saying that while there was misconduct, the prosecutor’s office did not collude with ICE or create prejudice. “Where is the prejudice that materially affects Mr. Benitez-Santana’s right to a fair trial right now? Other than the fact that bail was set and he was detained.”

-- Steve