Southeast
Feds mum on how Laken Riley's killer got one-way plane ticket from migrant shelter ground zero
Federal officials declined to provide more information to Fox News Digital about a “humanitarian flight” that Laken Riley’s convicted killer, Jose Ibarra, was granted from New York City to Atlanta in September 2023.
In a Georgia courtroom on Monday, during Ibarra’s trial, prosecutors displayed a photo of a Delta Air Lines ticket from New York to Atlanta, dated Sept. 28, 2023, for Ibarra, the Venezuelan illegal immigrant accused of attacking and killing Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, on the University of Georgia campus in Athens in February.
FBI Special Agent Jamie Hipkiss said a photo of the boarding pass was pulled from a WhatsApp account associated with Ibarra.
Ibarra’s former roommate, Rosbeli Flores-Bello, testified on Monday that she and Ibarra — both Venezuelan nationals who connected in Queens, New York, in 2023 after meeting through a mother-in-law — went to the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan in September of that year to request a “humanitarian flight” to Atlanta. Ibarra’s brother, Diego, promised they would find work in Athens, Georgia.
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The Roosevelt, which is located not far from New York’s iconic Grand Central Station, was transformed into an immigration processing hub or “reticketing center” in May 2023. The New York City official government website defines “reticketing” as “a service provided to individuals who are new arrivals to the United States and are seeking asylum.”
President-elect Trump’s incoming border czar Tom Homan has vowed to put an end to this practice. Homan served in Trump’s first administration as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ office told Fox News Digital that “[w]hat happened to Laken Riley is a gut-wrenching tragedy, and we are hopeful her suspected killer is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Cities should never have had to carry the cost and burden of this national humanitarian crisis.”
“Mayor Adams has been abundantly clear that we need to fix our broken immigration system. Cities should never have had to carry the cost and burden of this national humanitarian crisis,” press secretary Kayla Mamelak Altus said in a statement.
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“More than 223,000 migrants have come through New York City’s intake system since the spring of 2022, and our reticketing system is one tool in our very limited toolbox as a city that helps migrants take the next step out of our shelter system,” Altus continued. “We continue to call on Democrats and Republicans to finally come together to pass meaningful immigration reform for the first time in four decades.”
Reticketing centers, the New York City website says, help “arrange further travel outside of NYC from” the Roosevelt Hotel, among other locations.
“If you have just arrived in NYC and need reticketing services, you should first visit the Arrival Center at the Roosevelt Hotel, located at 45 East 45th Street in Manhattan,” the website states. “At the Arrival Center, you will undergo an intake process in your preferred language, during which you can express your desire to be reticketed. Eligibility will be confirmed by staff.”
The FBI told Fox News Digital that the agency “has nothing further to provide beyond the testimony given in court.”
A spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement said “the FBI is involved in this,” referring to the plane ticket, and referred Fox News Digital to the Bureau. “We don’t have any information,” the spokesperson said.
The White House did not respond to questions about Ibarra’s conviction generally or his humanitarian flight. Delta Air Lines did not provide any further information about the flight.
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Jose Ibarra is charged with 10 counts in connection with Riley’s February murder.
The murder suspect entered the United States through El Paso, Texas, in 2022 and was freed on border parole. He initially lived in New York City, where he was arrested for endangering a child prior to his move to Athens.
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Ibarra, 26; and his brothers, Diego Ibarra, 29; and Argenis Ibarra, 24, lived together in an apartment complex in Athens, Georgia, less than half a mile from the scene where Riley was found dead. All three men were questioned and taken into custody after Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was murdered while she was jogging around the University of Georgia campus on Feb. 22.
Diego Ibarra — who briefly worked on UGA’s campus in a dining hall — is charged with green card fraud after displaying a fake ID with two different birth dates to police, and Argenis is being held on an immigration detainer.
Court documents released Wednesday revealed that Diego Ibarra has ties to the violent Venezuela-based organized crime gang Tren de Aragua.
Federal authorities say that the gang, also known as TdA, has become known for its violent turf wars as it has expanded into other countries in South and Central America. The gang has established itself in multiple states, according to the Justice Department.
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Southeast
Mississippi teacher fired after allegedly feeding students dog treats mistaken for beef jerky
A Mississippi teacher is out of a job after inadvertently feeding dog treats to students during a class celebration, according to a report by WTVA, a local ABC affiliate.
The now-former Calhoun City High School employee, whose name was not released by the Calhoun County School District, allegedly mistook the treats for beef jerky.
At least eight children consumed at least one bite of the treats on Wednesday, according to Dr. Lisa Langford, the district superintendent.
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Langford also lauded the school nurse for her swift response to the situation, which included a Poison Control call, according to WTVA. The district also alerted the affected children’s parents of the situation.
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The incident reportedly transpired during what was intended as a birthday celebration for a few of the students, the local outlet continued.
WTVA noted that at least one child was taken to the doctor with a stomachache.
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Southeast
Entire police department resigns leaving South Carolina community without law enforcement presence
A South Carolina community is without a police force after the entire department resigned, including the chief of police.
On Friday, McColl Mayor George Garner confirmed that the town no longer had any police officers and told WMBF News that the community is in a “difficult situation.”
“We’re actively working to hire a new police chief and more officers,” Mayor Garner said.
Garner said Police Chief Bob Hale put in his resignation first and the other officers then followed suit.
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In a public Facebook post, Hale stated his resignation was due to alleged repeated harassment and personal attacks and “hostile work environment” by an unnamed member of the city council.
“It is with a heavy heart that I do confirm my resignation as Chief of Police of the McColl Police Department along with all four of my fellow officers,” Hale wrote. “My personal decision to step away from the McColl Police Department can be attributed to repeated acts of harassment, personal attacks on my character, and the overall creation of a hostile work environment perpetuated by a specific Councilman.”
Hale added that the actions of the unnamed councilman made it impossible for the department to function effectively.
“For months, I have endured unwarranted and malicious behavior aimed at undermining my integrity and leadership,” Hale continued in the post. “These actions have not only affected me personally but have also created a toxic atmosphere that has hindered the department’s ability to function effectively. Despite our efforts to address these issues professionally and through appropriate channels, the harassment and hostility have persisted.”
In his statement, Hale also alleged that money was cut from the police department’s budget and that other critical police needs were not being fulfilled.
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“I also can’t help but feel that these consistent negative acts were strategically used to inhibit the continued growth and success of the department. A significant amount of money was cut from our already depleted budget by the same Councilman upon his arrival to his elected position. Despite repeated appeals for funding to modernize equipment, enhance training, and increase staffing levels to meet the needs of our community, those critical needs went unmet. This lack of investment hampered our ability to operate at the standard the citizens of the Town of McColl rightfully expect and deserve. The safety of the residents and the well-being of the officers should have been prioritized by committing the necessary resources to build a department capable of addressing the complexities of 21st-century policing. Sadly, this was not the case and the majority of my tenure as Chief of Police was spent clearing the names of my officers as well as myself, from the numerous falsehoods that were made against us,” – Former McColl Police Chief Bob Hale
Hale said the decision to resign was not made lightly, and he deeply regrets the impact it may have on the community they have dedicated themselves to serving.
“I believe that stepping away is the only way to shed light on the severity of these issues and call for accountability and change. I remain hopeful that the Town of McColl will come together to address these challenges, prioritize ethical leadership, and create an environment where those in public service can perform their duties free from undue interference and hostility,” Hale wrote.
One McColl resident told WMBF now that the town is without a police department, he worries that residents could be at risk.
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“Say if someone were stabbed or shot or whatever – without police enforcement, they would have to come from the sheriff’s office in Bennettsville,” said McColl resident, William Groom. “We’re talking ten or fifteen minutes and someone could possibly expire in that amount of time. Without police enforcement, it’s definitely a bad situation.”
Despite Hales’ statement, Garner told WMBF that Hale was not leaving the town on bad terms.
“I hate to see them go. They were a great group. But we gonna continue on,” Garner said.
Garner added that he has asked the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office and other nearby agencies to help cover the town in the meantime. He also enlisted the help of the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division for additional help.
The McColl Police Department is now accepting applications for Chief of Police and Garner said applications can be picked up at McColl Town hall.
Back in October, another community experienced a similar situation to the town of McColl.
The entire Geary Police Department in Oklahoma, including their chief of police, resigned citing political leaders for failing to meet the police department’s needs.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Garner but did not immediately receive a response.
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Southeast
Illegal immigrant with extensive criminal history arrested for attempted rape days after release from jail
An illegal immigrant with an extensive criminal background was arrested for attempting to kidnap and rape a stranger he captured on a popular Virginia trail days after being released from jail, according to police.
During a press conference Monday evening, the Herndon Police Department announced that Denis Humberto Naverrette Romero, 31, was charged with abduction with intent to defile and rape a stranger he grabbed off a trail.
“Let me start by saying that I am incredibly saddened and outraged that a crime like this could happen here in the town of Herndon,” said Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard.
“This is the only stranger rape that we have had in the town in my more than 12 years as chief of police,” DeBoard continued.
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Romero, a Honduran national, has a documented history of sexual assaults and indecent exposures in the region dating back to 2022, according to DeBoard.
A source close to the matter told Fox News Digital that Romero is homeless and has been in and out of jail, but never served any significant time. He has also had multiple charges dropped to lower offenses by prosecutors, the source explained.
Romero’s crimes have escalated from weapons and auto theft, to indecent exposure and sexual assault, to now abduction and rape.
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“This kind of case not only impacts the victim directly, but impacts our entire community, especially when it occurs in a very public area that we consider safe and that is used by all of our residents and our visitors by our community on a daily basis.”
Just before 9 pm on Monday, DeBoard said officers responded to the W on D trail for a call about a woman who approached a passerby and asked for help, claiming that she had been raped.
The victim told police that Romero brazenly grabbed her and forced her to the ground where he proceeded to rape her.
Thankfully, the victim was able to fight off Romero and run away to get help. Police were able to locate Romero shortly after the attack.
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Upon further investigation, officers uncovered his criminal history and believe there may be more victims and additional witnesses to his Monday night offense.
“What is disturbing is the number of times this individual has been arrested and released. He has continued to re-offend and his behavior has escalated to a rape in a very public area in our town last night,” DeBoard said.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin also shared a statement about the incident and was outraged that local officials allowed Romero to be back on the streets.
“I am heartsick for this victim and outraged that local Fairfax County officials recklessly release violent illegal immigrants who should have been prosecuted and deported. This is a dereliction of their most basic duty to keep people safe,” Youngkin said in a post on X.
“Prioritizing violent illegal immigrants over the safety of Fairfax residents is unacceptable. Virginia is not a sanctuary state. When President Trump takes office, the political posturing will end, and localities will cooperate with ICE to protect Virginians.”
Romero is currently at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he’s being held without bond.
Anyone with information about Monday’s incident or anyone who believes they may be a victim is urged to reach out to the Herndon Police Department at (703) 435-6846.
“I want our community to know that you should feel safe here in town knowing that this individual has been removed from our streets in a rapid manner and remains in custody. And we will do everything in our power to ensure that he does remain in custody,” DeBoard vowed.
Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) but did not immediately receive a response.
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