Story Published:
Apr 27, 2008 at 11:48 PM EST
Story Updated:
Apr 28, 2008 at 2:12 AM EST
Gloria Medina says its one of the toughest things she's ever had to do; see her son, Fresno Army Specialist Richard Medina Torres, locked up in Juarez, Mexico’s Cereso Prison, a prison known for housing violent drug traffickers and high ranking Mexican gang members.
"It was very difficult to see him. It was good to see him, but at the same time it was very very difficult. It was heartbreaking,” said Medina.
Cameras were not allowed behind the razor wire to film their reunion today
But Medina tells KSEE 24 News that her son is being treated well in Cereso, adding prison officials have decided to keep him housed in a cell separated from general population inmates.
"He’d tried not to talk too much about here, he's not happy with here. He wants me to remain strong, so he can remain strong," said Medina, who could be seen accompanied by a representative from the U.S. Consulate who has been visiting her son throughout the week.
She says he and another consulate representative are planning to meet with a magistrate tomorrow, regarding the soldier's remaining charge for possessing firearms in Mexico.
"Hopefully it will be over this week sometime, that's my prayer," said Medina.
But will the judge see it the way Medina Torres does?
That he made a wrong turn and ended up at the Mexican border with a car full of firearms all because of one wrong turn.
Congressman George Radanovich says he believes he will.
"I think they'll see that this was a just an honest mistake and we're prepared in case they're not to step up the action,” said Radanovich.
Stay with KSEE 24 News for continuing exclusive coverage on this story.
Click on the link to see Preston Phillips’ report.
