WASHINGTON (AP) — The mother of a Marine jailed in Mexico on charges of bringing weapons into the country says her son tried to kill himself in detention after receiving threats of rape, torture and execution.
She says the Afghanistan veteran has post-traumatic stress but is now suffering a worse ordeal.
Jill Tahmooressi was testifying Wednesday before a House panel. Lawmakers want Mexico's government to release Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi on humanitarian grounds. He was arrested six months ago at a Mexican border checkpoint. Officials say they found a rifle, shotgun, pistol and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in his pickup truck. The 26-year-old, who served two tours in Afghanistan, says he accidentally entered Mexico after making a wrong turn.
Mexican officials say the weapons constitute a federal crime.
