EL PASO, Tx. - Two former Border Patrol agents were sentenced to prison Thursday afternoon for their part in shooting an alleged drug dealer, then covering up the action.

Jose Alonso Compean was sentenced to 12 years, while his partner Ignacio Ramos was sentenced to 11 years in prison for the February 2005 incident in Fabens.

Both have proclaimed their innocence in the Feb. 17, 2005, shooting in the buttocks of admitted drug smuggler Osvlado Aldrete Davila.

Aldrete was shot as he fled across the Rio Grande into Mexico after a confrontation with Ramos and Compean. The agents said they shot in self defense, but prosecutors charged that they had no reason to shoot at the fleeing man, who later claimed he was unarmed.

The agents were convicted in March of assault with a deadly weapon, obstruction of justice, a civil rights violation and other felonies.

Both Compean and Ramos will have to report to prison in mid-January 2007.

ABC-7 received the following statement from the US Attorney Johnny Sutton: "Federal agents who protect our border deserve our respect, gratitude and trust - it is a difficult and dangerous job. But when law enforcement officers use their badge as a shield for carrying out crimes and then engage in a cover up, we cannot look the other way. Agents Compean and Ramos shot an unarmed, fleeing suspect in the back and lied about it..."

Their convictions have drawn criticism from members of Congress and others who say the men are being punished for doing their jobs. A handful of protesters outside the courtroom held up signs such as "Trial's for Criminals, Not Cops" and "Miscarriage of Justice to Convict Heroes!" 

A lawyer for one of the agents had filed an appeal in the case, but it did not delay the sentencing.

Mary Stillinger said in a motion filed Tuesday that three jurors claim they were misled into finding the agents guilty. She wanted a new trial for former agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean. 

Stillinger's motion included sworn affidavits from three jurors saying they were told by other jurors that the judge would not accept a hung jury.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Story first posted to KVIA.com @ 425pm 10/19