Rep. Markey Asks DHS For Answers on Border Security

REP. MARKEY ASKS DHS FOR ANSWERS ON BORDER SECURITY
More evidence emerges in chainsaw murder case; suspect and bloody weapons passed
freely over U.S. border in Maine

Washington, DC: Today, prosecutors announced that the blood of a decapitated Canadian country
musician was found on the clothes of Gregory Despres, the 22-year old chainsaw-and-hatchet-toting man
who crossed over the U.S. Canadian border before he was arrested in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts on
April 27, 2005. Following the border incident, Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the
House Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), a member of the House
Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Affairs, sent a letter to
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff seeking answers on why Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) inspectors at the Calais, Maine border crossing permitted an individual
convicted of assault and carrying a cache of weapons to enter the United States in April but have yet to
receive any response to their queries about border security.

"It's outrageous that a chainsaw-toting convicted criminal falsely claiming to be a Marine working on
President Bush's security detail was allowed to enter the United States. The bizarre story he spun for
Customs inspectors at the border should have raised enough suspicions to prompt inspectors either to
arrest him or deny him entry into the United States. We were fortunate that this individual was not a
terrorist determined to attack our country and that he was apprehended in Massachusetts before he could
cause further harm," Rep. Markey said.

"I am still waiting for a response to my request for an investigation into this disturbing case and a review
of entry procedures in place at the border. Giving the green light to this deranged individual to enter our
country raises serious questions about these procedures, which should be adjusted to prevent a recurrence
of such an incident in the future," Rep. Markey concluded.

For a copy of the letter, please visit www.house.gov/markey

http://www.house.gov/markey/Issues/iss_HSgen_2pr050721.pdf