text: Parents fight for release of son jailed in Mexico | KBOIEventsPresentationGeneral InfoCDNADSComponentsPresentation Name:Story Infinite Scroll v3 (common)Presentation ID:story-infinite_scroll_v3 Environment
  Site Name:KBOICall Letters:KBOIGoogle Analytics:UA-9711042-4Site Uuid:f11ec6a0-5763-492e-9c4a-31564a4fb1a1Story Uuid:51038254-c5dc-4c94-9249-3d4329482010Story Link:/#story/51038254-c5dc-4c94-9249-3d4329482010Network:CBSChannel:2facebookAppIdgooglePlusUrlfacebookUrlhttp://www.facebook.com/kboi2pinterestUrlinstagramFeedUrlhttps://instagram.com/kboi2news/fbPages117923841552664livestreamFacebookAppId156854331444788youtubeChannelUrlhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY7YK4vT3kJMyT2izB4A80AtwitterUrlhttps://twitter.com/kboitvtwitterAppId671780413417721856googlePlusAppIdtwitterId@kboitvbuildNumber000066microServiceVersion2.20version2017-02-17T19-01ZauthorModebackendEnvironmentProdaudienceEnvironmentProdfeatureFlagEnvironmentProdenvironmentProdenvGroupProdcdnAtPrefix/resourcescomponentAssetPrefix//static-10.sinclairstoryline.com/resources/assets/2017-02-17T19-01ZsiteRelative//static-10.sinclairstoryline.com/resources/assets/2017-02-17T19-01Z/kboi2activeComponentsArrayresourceMapArray...Network ID:4756Ad Unit ID:KBOIAd Zone:news/nation-worldStory Slug:parents-fight-for-release-of-son-jailed-in-mexico-11-15-2015Component Version: 2017-02-17T19-01Z Label Components
  ×Story dataPage dataMetadataMENUGO55Watch Livemore...Watch LiveNewsLocalNation & WorldEntertainmentOffbeatElectionElection ResultsVideosHealth LinkMost WantedTrafficLivestreamAuto MattersNewslinksTracking TerrorQuestion of the DayHooked on HeroinWeatherRadarMapsCamerasSki ReportHurricane TrackerBus Stop BennyClosingsSportsLocal SportsCollege SportsProfessionalBoise StateIdaho SteelheadsBoise HawksReal Salt LakeExtrasScoreboardFeaturesFamily MattersPay It ForwardYour Pet 2dayMugshot MondaysLifestyle MattersDrive Safe IdahoMillion Dollar HomesToday's PledgeContent for a CauseSinclair CaresSTEM in IDAHOStationContactNews StaffCareersContestsScheduleCBS News Live FeedAdvertisingLocal News AppAM News & Alarm AppPoliticsElection ResultsKnow Your CandidatesConnect to CongressIdaho LivingLove Where You LiveCircamore...News LocalNation & WorldEntertainmentOffbeatElectionElection ResultsVideosHealth LinkMost WantedTrafficLivestreamAuto MattersNewslinksTracking TerrorQuestion of the DayHooked on HeroinWeather RadarMapsCamerasSki ReportHurricane TrackerBus Stop BennyClosingsSports Local SportsCollege SportsProfessionalBoise StateIdaho SteelheadsBoise HawksReal Salt LakeExtrasScoreboardFeatures Family MattersPay It ForwardYour Pet 2dayMugshot MondaysLifestyle MattersDrive Safe IdahoMillion Dollar HomesToday's PledgeContent for a CauseSinclair CaresSTEM in IDAHOStation ContactNews StaffCareersContestsScheduleCBS News Live FeedAdvertisingLocal News AppAM News & Alarm AppPolitics Election ResultsKnow Your CandidatesConnect to CongressIdaho Living Love Where You LiveCircaLocalNation & WorldEntertainmentOffbeatElectionElection ResultsVideosHealth LinkMost WantedTrafficLivestreamAuto MattersNewslinksTracking TerrorQuestion of the DayHooked on HeroinRadarMapsCamerasSki ReportHurricane TrackerBus Stop BennyClosingsLocal SportsCollege SportsProfessionalBoise StateIdaho SteelheadsBoise HawksReal Salt LakeExtrasScoreboardFamily MattersPay It ForwardYour Pet 2dayMugshot MondaysLifestyle MattersDrive Safe IdahoMillion Dollar HomesToday's PledgeContent for a CauseSinclair CaresSTEM in IDAHOContactNews StaffCareersContestsScheduleCBS News Live FeedAdvertisingLocal News AppAM News & Alarm AppElection ResultsKnow Your CandidatesConnect to CongressLove Where You LiveLocalNation & WorldEntertainmentOffbeatElectionElection ResultsVideosHealth LinkMost WantedTrafficLivestreamAuto MattersNewslinksTracking TerrorQuestion of the DayHooked on HeroinRadarMapsCamerasSki ReportHurricane TrackerBus Stop BennyClosingsLocal SportsCollege SportsProfessionalBoise StateIdaho SteelheadsBoise HawksReal Salt LakeExtrasScoreboardFamily MattersPay It ForwardYour Pet 2dayMugshot MondaysLifestyle MattersDrive Safe IdahoMillion Dollar HomesToday's PledgeContent for a CauseSinclair CaresSTEM in IDAHOContactNews StaffCareersContestsScheduleCBS News Live FeedAdvertisingLocal News AppAM News & Alarm AppElection ResultsKnow Your CandidatesConnect to CongressLove Where You LiveWatch LiveNewsLocalNation & WorldEntertainmentOffbeatElectionElection ResultsVideosHealth LinkMost WantedTrafficLivestreamAuto MattersNewslinksTracking TerrorQuestion of the DayHooked on HeroinWeatherRadarMapsCamerasSki ReportHurricane TrackerBus Stop BennyClosingsSportsLocal SportsCollege SportsProfessionalBoise StateIdaho SteelheadsBoise HawksReal Salt LakeExtrasScoreboardFeaturesFamily MattersPay It ForwardYour Pet 2dayMugshot MondaysLifestyle MattersDrive Safe IdahoMillion Dollar HomesToday's PledgeContent for a CauseSinclair CaresSTEM in IDAHOStationContactNews StaffCareersContestsScheduleCBS News Live FeedAdvertisingLocal News AppAM News & Alarm AppPoliticsElection ResultsKnow Your CandidatesConnect to CongressIdaho LivingLove Where You LiveCircacomponent-ddb-728x90-v1-01-desktopParents fight for release of son jailed in Mexicoby KELLI KENNEDY Associated PressAAMIAMI (AP) A South Florida family is fighting to get their son, a Marine veteran, released from a prison in a dangerous area in Mexico while facing charges that he carried across the border a shotgun with a barrel that's an inch too short.Jon Hammar and his friend were on their way to Costa Rica in August and planned to drive across the Mexican border near Matamoros in a Winnebago filled with surfboards and camping gear. Hammar, 27, asked U.S. border agents what to do with the unloaded shotgun, which his family said belonged to his great-grandfather."They examined it, they weighed it, they said you have to fill out this form," his father, Jon Hammar, told The Associated Press in a phone interview Tuesday from his home near Miami.But when the pair crossed the border and handed the paperwork to Mexican officials, they impounded the RV and jailed the men, saying it was illegal to carry that type of gun. Hammar's friend was later released because the gun did not belong to him.The family's attorney said Mexican law prohibits civilians from carrying certain types of guns, like sawed-off shotguns, which can be more easily concealed. Mexican law prohibits shotguns with a barrel of less than 25 inches (63.5 centimeters). Family attorney Eddie Varon-Levy said Mexican officials measured the barrel on Hammar's shotgun as 24 inches (61 centimeters). It has not been sawed off.Family members said the gun was purchased at Sears and blamed U.S. officials for telling Hammar he could bring it across the border in the first place.Varon-Levy also questioned the way Mexican officials measured the gun, because the measurements can differ depending on where they are taken on the barrel.He said dealing with Mexican authorities has also been difficult. He said Hammar was brought to court a few weeks ago, where officials tried to convince him to plead guilty without a lawyer present. Varon-Levy said he didn't show up because he was told there was a continuance."I am fuming," he said.Hammar could face 12 years in prison, but Varon-Levy said that's unlikely. He wants to get the charges downgraded, hoping Hammar can plead guilty to a lesser charge of carrying an unregistered weapon, which only carries a fine.Hammar served in Iraq and Afghanistan before being honorably discharged from the Marines in 2007. His mother said surfing helped him cope after he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder."Mexican authorities have fully guaranteed his right to Consular assistance; therefore Mr. Hammar has been in contact with U.S. Consular officers in Mexico who have regularly visited him," Ricardo Alday, spokesman for the Mexican Embassy, said in a statement. "The possession of any weapon restricted for the use of the Army in Mexico is a Federal crime, regardless of whether you declare it or not upon entering the country, and must be automatically prosecuted."Alday said Harmmar was detained in Tamaulipas "and as any other detainee facing criminal charges he has the right to defense counsel and a fair trial. In addition, his life and integrity are protected by national and international laws."Meanwhile, Hammar is being held in one of the most dangerous areas in Mexico.Matamoros is the long-time headquarters of the Gulf Cartel, which has been engaged in a bloody struggle with its former security guards, the Zetas, since early 2010 for the lucrative drug routes along the eastern end of the Texas-Mexico border. An October 2011 fight among inmates at the prison left 20 dead and 12 injured.At first Hammar was held with the general population, filled mostly with members of drug cartels. Now he is periodically chained to his bed in a cell by himself, said his father, he speaks with his son by phone occasionally."Sometimes he's got his head on good. We're like just, 'Hang in there. We're doing everything we can.' Other days, it's like, it's not as good," Jon Hammar said, sighing heavily and struggling to steady his voice.In August, the family received a frightening middle of the night phone call from the cartel demanding money, said Jon Hammar, a 48-year-old software engineer."'Lady, this isn't about the police. This is our house. We have your son. We're going to kill him if you don't send us money,'" Hammar said, recounting the phone call.The couple planned to wire the money to an account, but officials at the U.S. consulate intervened and contacted prison officials. His son was moved into a private cell the next day, he said.A spokesman for the State Department said officials have visited Hammar three times, spoken with him by phone and contacted prison officials to stop them from chaining him to the bed."The safety and well-being of U.S. citizens is something we take very seriously," said Peter Velasco.U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, spoke on the Senate floor Tuesday, asking Mexican authorities to release Hammar.U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen also urged the State Department to work incessantly to reunite Hammar with his family and said she's disappointed the agency has not told her what efforts have been made.The Miami Republican said she plans to contact the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol about Hammar's arrest. His mother emailed Ros-Lehtinen and asked for help."The Hammar family has suffered a great deal since their son's unjust incarceration in August and the details they have provided to my office are gripping and a clear abuse of Jon's human rights," she said in a statement.closeNews In PicturesSliding homes in the Boise Foothills aren't holding up in winter 2017Boise Police: Home invasion leads to unrelated DUI arrest near the BenchSupermodel Gigi Hadid: 'I couldn't play it cool with cute Zayn Malik'Photos: Several counties facing flooding woes added to state declarationTrending1 Idaho family reels in monster rainbow trout in viral video2 Boise National Forest hires new deputy supervisor3 Idaho militia group founder faces aggravated assault charge4 Idaho avalanche killed 15 people 100 years ago: 'Appalling Calamity' 5 Trump says Sweden comment followed TV report DON'T MISS OUTStay Connected with KBOILikeFollow© 2016 Sinclair Broadcast GroupTermsPrivacyFCC InfoEEOLOADINGShareTweet×Trending1Idaho family reels in monster rainbow trout in viral video2Boise National Forest hires new deputy supervisor3Idaho militia group founder faces aggravated assault charge4Idaho avalanche killed 15 people 100 years ago: 'Appalling Calamity' 5Trump says Sweden comment followed TV report 6The Bronco beat boxer: 'It goes where I go'7Your child's safety: Staying strong and healthy through spring sports 8Pregnant Behind Bars: Helping moms to be when they're serving time9Syracuse couple climbs out of deepest hole parents can fall into10Two robberies in 10 minutes: Man on the run after Boise Bench robberies