Derek Alkonis

Father of #LtRidgeAlkonis LACoFD Asst. Chief, retired

[Andrew Eubanks @EubanksAndrew]

Let's get something straight--

No one is taking anything away from the two innocent Japanese citizens who lost their lives in the Alkonis accident. It was a tragedy. It happened in May 2021 and the Alkonis family did nothing for over a year other than apologize profusely, cooperate, and pay a record cultural condolence payment to the victims' family.

They didn't talk to the media for over a year. All they did was express sorrow for the victims and condolences to the affected family.

Now, over 2.5 years later, people want to perpetuate the tragedy by imprisoning and ruining the career of an exemplary naval officer and incredible human being for a medical episode, a true accident. That's not justice, and it doesn't do anything to heal anyone's pain.

In the trial, when the victims' family members were pleading for "the harshest possible penalty," Alkonis was testifying about how he prays every day for the victims and their families.

Alkonis has spent most of his adult life living in Japan. He loves Japan. His shipmates describe him as an incredible ambassador for the US-Japan alliance, always helping fellow service members understand and respect Japanese culture.

If he, or his wife, had any inkling that something tragic was going to happen, that someone would get hurt, they wouldn't have been in the car. But they didn't know. And tragically people were hurt--in an accident.

Alkonis, his family, and his supporters mourn the loss of innocent life.

But we will not accept brutal retribution and punishment for something that wasn't a crime and that wasn't done maliciously.

[Andrew Eubanks @EubanksAndrew]

In August 2022, I informed the @DoD_IG that the #USNavy knowingly mislead Congress for 14-months about LT Ridge Alkonis’s case in Japan.

I provided evidence and willing witnesses.

The DoD Inspector General ignored my complaint. Never contacted witnesses. No investigation.

[Andrew Eubanks @EubanksAndrew]

Active-duty Lieutenant Ridge Alkonis was transferred to the U.S. from Japan three weeks ago today.

In that time, two Congressmen have visited him in prison.

Yet no one from the @USNavy has even bothered to call or visit.

[Congressman Nick LaLota @RepLaLota]

The President must grant LT Alkonis clemency ASAP.

Justice and our troops' confidence and morale require it!

[Andrew Eubanks @EubanksAndrew]

Literally what I’ve been trying to explain to people for 2.5 years about the @BringRidgeHome case:

[Andrew Eubanks @EubanksAndrew]

🎄🚨RIGHT NOW🚨🎄

@BrittanyAlkonis and family, friends, supporters are gathering outside MDC-LA, where LT Ridge Alkonis is detained, for a Christmas party.

Ridge can see the party from the prison, and we’re hoping to bring some holiday cheer to him!

[Derek Alkonis @AlkonisDerek]

@EubanksAndrew @POTUS @BringRidgeHome Perhaps it’s because we’re just regular people? No status. Just people trying to do good. Unfortunately that’s not enough.

[Andrew Eubanks @EubanksAndrew]

The President’s power to commute LT Ridge Alkonis’s sentence is explicitly stated within our Constitution & the Council of Europe Treaty.

Article 12 of the Treaty’s “Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons” is clear on @POTUS’s powers in the @BringRidgeHome case.

[Jonathan Franks @jonfranks]

@BasedMikeLee @robertcobrien @POTUS Perhaps they feared the Japanese would refuse to transfer Patriots to us 🤷‍♂️.

We shouldn’t be kowtowing to a junior partner.

[Robert C. O'Brien @robertcobrien]

@POTUS has multiple tools at his disposal to #FreeRidgeAlkonis—or at least allow him to spend Christmas with his wife and kids while he awaits action from the U.S. Parole Commission. The American people want to see this sailor reunited with his beautiful family.

[Andrew Eubanks @EubanksAndrew]

🎄Since @TheJusticeDept & @WhiteHouse aren’t allowing #LtRidgeAlkonis to be home with his wife & 3-children for Christmas…

we’re bringing Christmas to Ridge!

Join the Alkonis family outside the prison in Los Angeles on Saturday for a Christmas party that Ridge can see.

[Congressman Nick LaLota @RepLaLota]

After meeting with the Alkonis family at an LA coffee shop and then LT Alkonis at a federal prison in LA yesterday, I can attest to their strength and resolve.

Enough is enough, the President & DOJ can and should reunite Ridge with his family…before Christmas! @BringRidgeHome

[Brittany Alkonis @BrittanyAlkonis]

“These individuals have lost far too much precious time with their loved ones, and their families have suffered” was the reason @POTUS gave for granting Alex Saab clemency and returning him to Venezuela.

Grant #LtRidgeAlkonis clemency. @BringRidgeHome

https://t.co/4g9CQ2bvHt

[Brittany Alkonis @BrittanyAlkonis]

Thank you @RepLaLota and @RepMikeLevin for your continued support of not just #LTRidgeAlkonis, but of all our service members.
This nightmare needs to end. @POTUS and @SecDef watched the injustice for 936 days. Do the right thing. @BringRidgeHome

[Andrew Eubanks @EubanksAndrew]

Speaking of Fat Leonard…who swindled the U.S. out of millions and corrupted the Navy—spent years on house arrest under his own security.

Yet @TheJusticeDept can’t let #LtRidgeAlkonis go home to his family for Christmas while the Parole Commission makes a decision.

Unbelievable.

[Mike Lee @BasedMikeLee]

.@POTUS and his team could #FreeRidgeAlkonis today—whether by allowing him to remain under house arrest until the Parole Commission acts, by commuting his sentence, or otherwise—at least to allow him to spend Christmas with his family. @POTUS please do so!
https://t.co/Sx8eMxstCy

[Andrew Eubanks @EubanksAndrew]

🚨Japan has released Navy Lieutenant Ridge Alkonis to U.S. custody as part of an international prisoner transfer agreement.

@TheJusticeDept now has jurisdiction over LT Alkonis and will determine any further incarceration.

[Andrew Eubanks @EubanksAndrew]

I'm grateful to have received bipartisan support to become a member of the @TrumanProject Defense Council.

Thank you, @RepLaLota (R-NY) and @RepMikeLevin (D-CA), for your support!

I look forward to working with Congress to enact powerful, realistic solutions!

[Brittany Alkonis @BrittanyAlkonis]

The @USNavy continuously fails our sailors.

And in Japan, @FLEACT_Yokosuka, your silence is betrayal.

Do better.
Be better.
Protect your people.
@BringRidgeHome

[Brittany Alkonis @BrittanyAlkonis]

One of Ridge’s close friends, a naval officer, died by suicide. The memorial service is today.

Unable to attend, Ridge asked for a mutual friend, a senior naval officer, to visit him in prison.

The Navy’s @FLEACT_Yokosuka response is worse than rejection, it’s silence.