Gilmer Hernandez in Del Rio, Texas, prison (Photo: SWTexasLive.com)

Texas Deputy Sheriff Gilmer Hernandez, convicted of violating the civil rights of two illegal aliens, was transferred from a Texas prison to a federal facility in another state and placed in the general population, according to his former boss, who believes the officer's life is in danger.

Don Letsinger, sheriff of Rocksprings, Texas, told WND Hernandez has asked his family to not contact him in the federal prison, saying he fears for his life.

"I am concerned that Gilmer is being singled out for special punishment because of the push to demand the resignation or the dismissal of the prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton," Letsinger wrote in an e-mail.

The office of Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, which has been following the case, confirmed to WND Hernandez has been transferred.

(Story continues below)

As WND reported, Sutton prosecuted Hernandez for injuring two Mexican illegal aliens in a van. Hernandez fired at the van's tires as the illegals escaped from a routine traffic stop, attempting to run over the officer as they drove away.

"I believe it is very dangerous to place a peace officer in general population," Letsinger said. "Why else would they do this to an officer inmate with only four months left on his sentence?"

Hernandez was sentenced to one year plus one day in prison after Sutton's office had recommended seven years. Hernandez decided not to appeal his case, choosing to serve the short sentence rather than risk another trial and possibly a longer sentence.

As WND reported Sutton decided to prosecute Hernandez only after the Mexican consulate wrote letters demanding it. An investigation by the Texas Rangers concluded Hernandez did nothing wrong in discharging his weapon at the fleeing van.

Sutton also prosecuted Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean for firing their weapons in pursuit of a fleeing Mexican illegal alien drug smuggler.

Sutton prosecuted Border Patrol Agent Noe Aleman for lying in his attempt to legally adopt his wife's three young nieces from Mexico.

Ramos and Compean are serving 11- and 12-year terms respectively. Aleman has just begun his six-month sentence.

WND broke the story Ramos was beaten by fellow inmates when he was placed in the general prison population at the federal facility in Yazoo City, Miss.

According to visitors, Ramos is now in emaciated condition, losing more than 30 pounds while in solitary confinement.

Compean also is in solitary confinement.

The two illegal aliens injured in the Hernandez incident, Maricela Rodriquez-Garcia and Candio Garcia-Perez, won a $100,000 settlement in a lawsuit against the officer.

WND columnist Jerome Corsi contributed to this story