Eyes on Intel — Deep Dive Episode Notes
Listen to the Episode: Deep Dive into the “They Walk Among Us” Report
Source Material: Read the full OIA Report: “They Walk Among Us”
Official Archives: Eyes on Intel Network
Welcome to another deep dive from Eyes on Intel. In this episode, we unpack the harrowing revelations from the Ohio Immigrant Alliance (OIA) report titled “They Walk Among Us: A List of 59 Sexually and Physically Abusive ICE and Border Agents.”
We explore how systemic negligence, political expediency, and a dangerous agency culture have allowed violent predators to wear federal badges and operate with total impunity. We detail the institutional failures of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the total lack of Congressional oversight, and the radical steps needed to reclaim our streets.
Key Data Points & Scope of the Crisis
The Scope: The OIA report exposes 59 ICE and Border Patrol agents implicated in severe physical and sexual abuse.
Shocking Demographics: An overwhelming 85% (50 of 59) of these cases involve sex offenses, and nearly two-thirds (37 cases) involved crimes against children.
Escalation in Recent Years: The report highlights a steep drop in standards, with over 42% of the documented cases occurring in 2025 and 2026 alone.
Civilian Casualties: The lethal enforcement of civil immigration laws on American streets has resulted in the deaths of civilians—including Renee Good, Alex Pretti, Dr. Linda Davis, and Johan Sebastian (killed by agent David Brouillette).
DHS Training Cuts: DHS leadership actively weakened standards, cutting 240 hours of vital training classes from a 584-hour curriculum to expedite hiring.
Episode Breakdown
1. The Failure of Vetting: “Hire First, Ask Later”
We discuss how fast-tracked hiring quotas allowed individuals with known criminal histories and patterns of predation to be issued federal badges and weapons.
Case Study — Dana Ray Thornhill: Arrested for sexual assault at age 13 and spent time in juvenile corrections, yet was hired by Border Patrol and remained employed for nearly 20 years.
Case Study — Brashad Johnson: Oversew background checks for DHS employees while himself being convicted of soliciting prostitution involving a minor.
2. Institutional Protectionism and Impunity
Why are federal agents treated differently than the public they serve? We break down the political cover, sealed records, and plea deals that favor law enforcement over justice.
Case Study — Efren Lopez Cornejo: Charged with 14 felonies for abusing family members starting when one victim was just nine years old, Cornejo received a plea deal with zero jail time and no sex offender registry requirement.
Serial Abusers in Uniform: Agency culture allowed systemic predators like John Daly III (the “East Valley Serial Rapist”) and Juan David Ortiz (a Border Patrol supervisor and serial killer targeting sex workers) to operate undetected for long stretches.
Political Shielding: The investigation into Michael Banks for prostitution and sexual misconduct was abruptly ended during Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure, sending a message across the department that agents remain above the law.
3. Misogyny, Racism, and Lawlessness
We examine how white nationalist recruitment drives and dehumanizing internal communications fuel an environment where immigrants and women of color are targeted.
“These acts were not committed in spite of the badge—the badge was used as the weapon and the hunting permit.”
Predation in Custody: Agents Ramon Marquez (who abused children in the Border Patrol Explorer Program) and Andrew Golobic (who sexually abused women in ICE custody) weaponized authority to systematically isolate their victims.
Domestic Violence Patterns: We highlight the normalization of domestic violence among agents, citing Samuel Saxon (found naked behind a toilet with a knife after strangling his partner) and Ronald Anthony Burgos Aviles (convicted of murdering his partner and her one-year-old son).
The Solutions: The Path Forward
Who holds the system accountable? We point the finger at a Congress that writes blank checks without demanding independent watchdog bodies, and a political machine that celebrates brutality as strength.
We outline the Ohio Immigrant Alliance’s key demands for systemic survival:
Freeze the Budget: Immediately halt all additional funding to ICE and CBP until independent oversight is established.
Comprehensive Re-Vetting: Screen the entire workforce and terminate anyone with a history of sexual assault, domestic violence, or extremist group affiliation.
Disarm Civil Enforcement: Strip firearms from ICE and Border Patrol agents assigned to civil immigration enforcement. Administrative paperwork should not be enforced on American streets with lethal force.
Resources & Important Links
If you want to investigate these cases further or support independent tracking efforts, utilize the resources below:
📄 Read the Full Report: Ohio Immigrant Alliance Report Summary via Davis Vanguard
🏛️ Track Congressional Oversight: DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) Reports
📡 Eyes on Intel Main Hub: www.eyesonice.net
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95% of Ohio ICE detainees had no violent criminal history - The Daily Drop
