Victim has to relive crime

Dear Editor:

I am a member of the Legion and Auxiliary and a Past Department Commander for the state of Nebraska. I am angry that 20 Nebraska Legionnaires wore their Legion caps to the pardon board hearing for John Arias, who was on the Sex Offender Registry for Life. 

Because of the actions of Past National Commander Michael Helm, Past National Vice Commanders Doug Boldt and Michael Landkamer, current National Executive Committee member Fred Craigie, current Department Commander Don Suchy, Department Adjutant Dave Salak and 14 others, John Arias’ victim is now reliving the repeated rapes at knife point that he put her through in front of their two sons who were ages 5 and 7 at the time and their cousin who was age 6.  He left her bound and gagged and told her he would be back to finish what he started.  This is not a “misunderstanding” as he likes to claim.  

We feel the Legionnaires unfairly influenced the Pardon Board because all three of them mentioned the caps. We call on National to recognize that this is a dangerous precedence and needs to take steps to prevent it in the future. The Legion is not to be used to clear your criminal record. We have lost faith in these leaders and that is unacceptable.

The victim of John Arias’ crime found the courage to attend our rally and tell her side of the crime, but it took a toll not only on her, but also on other victims of such crimes that attended our rally.  Their PTSD has flared because of this. Do you think they want to utilize John Arias or anyone he mentors? They should not be living in fear because of the Nebraska Legion Leadership! 

We also want there to be oversight on the Pardon Board.  There needs to be guidelines set for who should receive pardons and what needs to be considered besides their personal feelings. We agree with Mr. Evnen when he stated that Arias “had not come to grip with the extent of his crime.” John Arias stated he wanted the pardon so he would come off of the Sex Offender Registry. He never apologized to his victims even, at the pardon hearing.

I am calling on the Nebraska Legion Family to attend Department Mid-Winter in January to hold these individuals accountable.

Sincerely, Beth Linn

Scottsbluff, NE