Lawmaker ‘optimistic’ U.S. Marine will be freed soon

A Republican lawmaker working to free the U.S. Marine jailed in Mexico is hopeful that Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi’s ordeal will be over soon.

{mosads}Arizona Rep. Matt Salmon, who visited Tahmooressi in prison last month, is “optimistic” that the 26-year-old will be released before his next scheduled hearing in court on Aug. 4.

Salmon praised some Democrats, such as Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), for pressing the issue, but criticized President Obama.

“Given the fact that this young man has been diagnosed with PTSD, from a humanitarian perspective alone he should be out of that prison …he has been in for three months and if the president had shown one ounce of concern, I believe that he’d be out by now,” Salmon said in and interview with The Hill.

Tahmooressi was jailed three months ago after entering Mexico with guns in his car. The Marine called 911 to report the mistake, but was taken into custody. He has said he was confused by highway signs.