Valley veterans urging Mexico to release Marine

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Veterans swarmed the Mexican consulate in Fresno Tuesday urging leaders to get a prisoner back to the U.S.

Andrew Tahmooressi is an active duty Marine who accidentally crossed the Mexican border nearly four months ago. He's now being held by the Mexican government as a prisoner. Tahmooressi was taken to a notorious prison near Tijuana and is now is in custody at a federal prison.

Valley veterans say the soldier was recently diagnosed with PTSD and has a history of severe head trauma. It's these reports that have local veterans concerned about the soldier's future.

Veterans from all walks of life and all corners of the Valley are raising their flags with urgency for Mexican prisoner Tahmooressi.

"We are trying to bring this back to the public's attention. It is kind of story that has gone dead," said protest organizer Daniel Payne.

In a chilling 9-1-1 call, the active-duty Marine tells an operator he mistakenly entered Mexico near Tijuana.

"I crossed the border by accident and I have three guns in my truck and they are trying to posses, they are trying to take my guns from me," said the Marine.

"There's nothing I can do then sir. I do apologize. You're not on American soil right now, I can't really help you," the operator responded.

Tahmooressi was arrested almost four months ago. And for fellow soldier Corporal Edward Garcia, it's four months too long.

"It's very close to home for me because we were both in the same war we were both in Afghanistan," said Cpl. Garcia.

Members from the Mexican consulate wouldn't give any comment about the protest. But they did say the veterans were protesting in a respectful manner and both sides were cooperating with one another.

Payne says the next step is to go to the border and deter tourists from traveling to Mexico. But he hopes it doesn't come to that.