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Friday, April 25, 2025
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Breaking

BREAKING: George Santos Gets Seven Years in Prison, Wants Solitary Confinement.

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❓What Happened: Former New York Congressman George Santos has been sentenced to seven years in prison; he has expressed a preference for solitary confinement during his term.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert, George Santos, former New York congressman, and Matt Gaetz, former Florida congressman.

📍 Where & When: Santos was sentenced at federal court in New York on April 25; Santos’s comments on solitary confinement were made on The Matt Gaetz Show prior to his sentencing.

💬 Key Quote: “From his creation of a wholly fictitious biography to his callous theft of money from elderly and impaired donors, Santos’s unrestrained greed and voracious appetite for fame enabled him to exploit the very system by which we select our representatives,” said prosecutors in a memorandum.

⚠️ Impact: Santos is requesting solitary confinement to avoid risks associated with incarceration in the general population, due to past comments on Latin American gangs.

IN FULL:

Former U.S. Representative George Santos has been sentenced to seven years in prison by U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert after his conviction for two counts of felony fraud. “From his creation of a wholly fictitious biography to his callous theft of money from elderly and impaired donors, Santos’s unrestrained greed and voracious appetite for fame enabled him to exploit the very system by which we select our representatives,” said prosecutors in a memorandum requesting an 87-month sentence. Santos’s attorneys had requested just two years, citing his lack of prior criminal convictions.

Santos was expelled from Congress in 2023, after the House Ethics Committee said he had been conning donors—some described as “elderly persons suffering from some degree of cognitive impairment or decline” by prosecutors—in order to fund a luxury lifestyle, and misrepresenting his biography.

Ahead of his sentencing, Santos said he would be requesting solitary confinement, citing concerns for his safety. Speaking on The Matt Gaetz Show aired on One America News Network, Santos highlighted his work addressing criminal gangs during his congressional tenure, suggesting this made him a target. He pointed to specific threats from gangs like MS-13 and other groups he publicly criticized while in office.

While a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons declined to comment on the specifics of Santos’s case, they outlined general considerations influencing inmate housing decisions. These include factors like security level, medical needs, and risk of harm, which are assessed for appropriate actions, such as protective custody.

On the possibility of requesting a pardon from President Trump, Santos has previously said, “You bet your sweet ass I would.”

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37 minutes ago
Economy
World

China, Feeling the Pressure, Considers Tariff Cuts on Select U.S. Goods.

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❓What Happened: The Chinese government is contemplating removing certain essential items from its retaliatory 125 percent tariffs on American products.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Chinese government’s commerce ministry officials and Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

📍 Where & When: The development was discussed in Beijing on Friday, April 25.

💬 Key Quote: “There are some companies who have said that if a long-term tariff war continued, their business model would not work in China and we would see them exit,” Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, stated.

⚠️ Impact: Trade tensions between China and the United States could potentially ease, leading to positive market reactions in Asia and Europe.

IN FULL:

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is re-evaluating its tariffs on American goods, with plans to possibly exempt certain critical imports. Concerns over supply chain interruptions caused by the increasing trade barriers between China and the U.S. appear to be the impetus for the CCP’s tariff walkback. Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, revealed the move during a speech at an event in Beijing on Friday, suggesting that the Chinese commerce ministry was communicating with the country’s manufacturers to determine what U.S. imports are indispensable and at risk from the tariff barriers.

“There are some companies who have said that if a long-term tariff war continued, their business model would not work in China and we would see them exit,” Hart said on Friday, adding: “We shared that with the Chinese government because they are of course trying to foster foreign direct investment.”

Earlier this month, Beijing announced it would cease accepting delivery of American-made Boeing airplanes and parts. While the move was ostensibly directed at harming the U.S.-based aerospace giant and American manufacturing, the move—backed by Chinese President Xi Jinping—will likely cause significant disruption to China’s domestic aviation industry and increase safety concerns as airlines are forced to turn to refurbished and aftermarket parts.

Among the critical sectors in China that could see tariff relief or outright exemptions are lifesaving pharmaceuticals and healthcare equipment. The Chinese healthcare system is already experiencing strain under the country’s 1.4 billion people, and a lack of access to critical medical devices and drugs could exacerbate problems.

The strategic reassessment arises in the context of heightened trade tensions, marked by the U.S.’s recent tariff increase on over half of China’s exports to the U.S., now at 145 percent. This ongoing trade spat presents substantial challenges to China’s surplus-style economy that crucially depends on export performance.

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1 hour ago
William Upton
Breaking
Crime

BREAKING: Kash Patel Says FBI Has Arrested Judge Who Attempted to Conceal Illegal Immigrant in Her Courthouse.

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❓What Happened: A Milwaukee County circuit judge has been arrested on charges of obstruction after she allegedly attempted to conceal an illegal immigrant in her courthouse

👥 Who’s Involved: Judge Hannah Dugan, illegal immigrant Eduardo Flores Ruiz, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel.

📍 Where & When: The arrest was announced on Friday, April 25.

💬 Key Quote: “We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject—an illegal alien—to evade arrest,” Patel said.

⚠️ Impact: The judge is the second state or local official to be arrested over the last 24 hours over allegations of aiding and abetting an illegal immigrant. A former New Mexico judge and his wife were arrested Thursday evening on allegations of tampering stemming from their harboring of a Venezuelan illegal immigrant member of the dangerous Tren de Aragua gang.

IN FULL:

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents have arrested a Milwaukee County circuit judge on charges of obstruction after she allegedly attempted to conceal an illegal immigrant in her courthouse, going so far as to misdirect agents as to the individual’s location. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested in Milwaukee, with the illegal immigrant, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, also successfully being taken into custody.

“The FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction—after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week,” Patel announced on Friday. “We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject—an illegal alien—to evade arrest.”

Patel added: “Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and he’s been in custody since, but the Judge’s obstruction created increased danger to the public.”

Judge Dugan’s arrest is the second instance of a state or local judge being arrested for aiding and abetting an illegal immigrant in the past 24 hours. The National Pulse previously reported that former Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his spouse, Nancy Cano, were taken into custody late Thursday in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and face charges related to allegations that the couple harbored illegal immigrant members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang.

Notably, a number of federal judges have used temporary restraining orders (TROs) and other legal tools to block the Trump administration’s efforts to deport violent illegal immigrant criminals to El Salvador, where they are being held in the country’s CECOT prison facility.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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2 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Illegal Immigrant Released by Biden Charged with Rape of Boy.

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❓What Happened: A Mexican migrant is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy during a game of hide-and-seek.

👥 Who’s Involved: Samuel Cobos-Carmona, the alleged perpetrator; a 13-year-old Florida boy and his eight-year-old brother; Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

📍 Where & When: Alleged incident occurred in Florida behind the victim’s home on April 13, reported one week later.

💬 Key Quote: “We’re going to work very hard with the State Attorney’s Office and our federal partners to make sure this individual does not see the light of day again.” — Sheriff Bill Prummell.

⚠️ Impact: Cobos-Carmona faces charges of lewd and lascivious battery; broader conversations about immigration policy and law enforcement partnerships are likely.

IN FULL:

Charlotte County, Florida, faces a grave criminal case involving an alleged sexual assault on a minor. Samuel Cobos-Carmona, a 20-year-old Mexican migrant, is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy during a game of hide-and-seek behind the victim’s home. The attack reportedly occurred on April 13 but was not immediately disclosed due to the victim’s fear.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Cobos-Carmona confessed to the assault after he formed a short-lived friendship with the victim and his younger sibling, aged eight. Sheriff’s deputies arrested Cobos-Carmona on Monday, charging him with lewd and lascivious battery on a victim between the ages of 12 and 16.

Sheriff Bill Prummell pledged cooperation with federal and state authorities to ensure the accused remains incarcerated. Prummell remarked, “We’re going to work very hard with the State Attorney’s Office and our federal partners to make sure this individual does not see the light of day again.” The sheriff further emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts with federal agencies to deport individuals like Cobos-Carmona.

Cobos-Carmona’s history in the United States is marked by a previous illegal entry in 2021, leading to deportation back to Mexico. However, he re-entered the U.S. the following year and avoided capture by Texas authorities before relocating to Florida. He was eventually detected, but Sheriff Prummell noted that he was released in 2024 thanks to the Biden-Harris government’s catch-and-release policies.

The case underscores issues surrounding immigration enforcement and public safety, prompting debates about federal policies and the responsibilities of agencies working at the state and local levels. Sheriff Prummell said officials helping to shelter migrants like Cobos-Carmona by implementing sanctuary policies should be “ashamed of themselves.”

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2 hours ago
Economy
News

Trump Touts 200 Upcoming Trade Deals, Says Xi Has Called.

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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump said in an interview that he is finalizing 200 tariff-related deals, projecting completion of negotiations in three to four weeks, and that Chinese dictator Xi Jinping has called.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, President Xi Jinping, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun.

📍 Where & When: The information was shared in a TIME magazine interview on April 24, 2025, during a meeting at the White House.

💬 Key Quote: “Over the next three to four weeks, and we’re finished,” Trump said of the expected trade deals. “We’ll be finished.”

⚠️ Impact: The deals could substantially reduce foreign and domestic tariffs on terms more favorable to the U.S.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump has told TIME magazine that he is completing 200 trade deals regarding tariffs, and foresees concluding negotiations within the next three to four weeks. During the interview, he was asked about Peter Navarro’s prediction of 90 tariff agreements in 90 days. Trump indicated that he has surpassed expectations, stating emphatically that 200 deals have been made.

Trump did not provide details regarding the specific countries involved or the terms of these agreements. He explained that he has engaged with various foreign representatives over recent weeks on tariffs and economic issues. “I would say, over the next three to four weeks, and we’re finished,” he said of the deals.

Regarding China, which currently faces the highest tariff rates imposed by the administration, Trump disclosed that President Xi Jinping has contacted him directly. He said he would not reach out to the Chinese dictator first, but said it was not “a sign of weakness” that Xi had called him. Instead, Trump insisted it was a sign of magnanimity.

Nevertheless, these remarks face dissent from Chinese officials. Before the publication of the TIME interview, Guo Jiakun from the Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed the U.S. depiction of active talks is “fake news.” On Friday, Jiakun again claimed that no tariff negotiations had occurred between China and the United States.

President Trump believes that the U.S. holds a decisive upper hand over China, a surplus economy, in any trade war, with the American market being much more important to Chinese exporters than the Chinese market is to American exporters.

“I am this giant store. It’s a giant, beautiful store, and everybody wants to go shopping there. And on behalf of the American people, I own the store, and I set prices, and I’ll say, if you want to shop here, this is what you have to pay,” he explained to TIME.

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3 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Judge and Wife Arrested for Allegedly Sheltering Violent Illegal Immigrant Gang Members.

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❓What Happened: A former New Mexico magistrate judge and his wife were arrested after allegedly harboring members of Venezuela’s violent Tren de Aragua criminal organization.

👥 Who’s Involved: Former Magistrate Judge Joel Cano, his wife Nancy Cano, and Venezuelan illegal immigrant and Tren de Aragua member Cristhian Ortega-Lopez.

📍 Where & When: Las Cruces, New Mexico; arrests occurred late on Thursday, April 24.

💬 Key Quote: “Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the arrests, adding: “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That’s a promise.”

⚠️ Impact: Both Canos are held without bond; Joel Cano has been barred from judicial office, and hearings are ongoing for the gang suspect.

IN FULL:

Former Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his spouse, Nancy Cano, were taken into custody late Thursday in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and face charges related to allegations that the couple harbored illegal immigrant members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang. Joel Cano is being charged with evidence tampering, while his wife, Nancy, is being charged with conspiracy to tamper stemming from their relationship with a Venezuelan illegal immigrant and accused member of Tren de Aragua, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez.

Ortega-Lopez, detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week, is accused of possessing firearms illegally and having links to the dangerous Venezuelan criminal gang. Tren de Aragua, designated as a terrorist organization by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, is known for violent activities in Venezuela. He was found living on the Canos’ property, which triggered the law enforcement actions against the couple, including an extensive ICE raid and search on their home on Thursday.

“Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a post late Thursday on X (formerly Twitter) following the arrests, adding: “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That’s a promise.”

Before his judgeship commenced in 2010, Joel Cano served for over two decades in the police force. However, Cano was forced to resign from the bench following ICE’s arrest of Ortega-Lopez during a search on February 28. Notably, Ortega-Lopez entered the U.S. at the infamous Eagle Pass, Texas border crossing in December of 2023 during the illegal immigration crisis under former President Joe Biden. The Biden government subsequently released the Venezuelan illegal immigrant and alleged Tren de Aragua member due to overcrowding at a detention center.

Ortega-Lopez’s online presence showed him and others with firearms in a shooting range. It is illegal in the United States for illegal immigrants to own or possess a firearm or ammunition unless the weapon is for immediate export. The Venezuelan illegal immigrant is slated for a court appearance on April 30, with federal prosecutors deeming him a flight risk.

The New Mexico Supreme Court has also permanently banned Joel Cano from holding judicial office. It remains uncertain if the Canos will face further charges related to harboring illegal immigrants or supporting a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

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4 hours ago
Crime
UK

Knife Crime and Personal Theft Surging.

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❓What Happened: Recorded knife crime offences in England and Wales are now on the rise following a decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic.

👥 Who’s Involved: Police forces across England and Wales, with London’s Metropolitan Police recording the highest number of cases.

📍 Where & When: The data pertains to England and Wales in the year 2024, annual figures released by the government’s Office for National Statistics (ONS).

💬 Key Quote:  Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson claims the leftist Labour government “will not tolerate the criminality blighting our communities.”

⚠️ Impact: The crime rise may impact the fortunes of Labour and the formerly governing Conservatives in May’s local elections, with Nigel Farage’s Reform Party already outpolling them regularly.

IN FULL:

Knife crime is rising in England and Wales. In 2024, an estimated 54,587 knife crime incidents were reported, an increase of two percent from the previous year’s 53,413 cases. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released the new stats this week.

Robberies with knives or sharp objects rose by five percent, reaching 23,305 cases, an increase from 2023’s number of 22,189. Threats to kill using knives saw a modest increase, rising three percent from 5,797 in 2023 to 5,979 in 2024. The offences categorized as “possession of an article with a blade or point” have also shown a rise, with 28,150 reported in 2024 compared to the previous year’s 27,892, significantly higher than the pre-pandemic count of 23,264 in 2019/20.

A regional breakdown of the data shows London‘s Metropolitan Police accounted for 31 percent of the total offenses, with a rate of 188 per 100,000 individuals. West Midlands Police followed with a nine percent share, Greater Manchester Police at six percent, and West Yorkshire Police at four percent.

Personal thefts also substantially increased in England and Wales in 2024, up 22 percent compared to 2023. The survey highlighted a 50 percent rise in theft from the person, including mobile phone thefts, and a 19 percent rise in theft from outside residences.

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson has reacted to the increases in crime, claiming the leftist Labour government “will not tolerate the criminality blighting our communities.”

Image by Alison Benbow.

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5 hours ago
Sports
UK

London Marathon Says Biological Men Can Still Compete as Women.

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❓What Happened: London Marathon organisers will permit biologically male transgenders to compete in the mass participation female category despite a recent Supreme Court ruling.

👥 Who’s Involved: Hugh Brasher, race director for the London Marathon; World Athletics; Glenique Frank; Mara Yamauchi.

📍 Where & When: Announcement made in London, England, on April 23.

💬 Key Quote: Race director Hugh Brasher stated participants can compete in certain categories based on the gender they identify with.

⚠️ Impact: Transgender athletes can partake in certain races, though this decision is not yet aligned with recent legal clarifications by the British Supreme Court.

IN FULL:

The organisers of the London Marathon have confirmed that biologically male transgender athletes will still be able to compete in the women’s category of the main mass participation event, despite the recent legal ruling in the United Kingdom that gender corresponds to biological sex.

Hugh Brasher, the race director, stated on Wednesday that runners could compete in line with the gender they identify with for the mass participation segment of the race. However, the eligibility for female races in elite, championship, and “good for age” categories will remain restricted as per World Athletics’ guidelines from 2023.

“We are clear about what we have done and we are really clear about the competition element—anywhere where there is competition, and that includes good for age, has to be your biological birth sex,” Brasher said. However, while elite-level athletes will be unaffected, biological males competing as women will have their times erroneously logged among women in the mass participation race.

This decision comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that defined sex based on biological criteria under the Equality Act. This judgment might impact the future inclusion of transgender individuals in single-sex spaces, including sports, possibly restricting their ability to file discrimination claims if excluded.

The London Marathon’s organisers have opted to maintain the current policy while awaiting advice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Sport England regarding the Supreme Court decision.

Other sports governing bodies like British Cycling, British Rowing, the Rugby Football Union, and UK Athletics have already implemented restrictions for transgender athletes in their events.

Image by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft.

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6 hours ago
William Upton
NatSec
World

Italy Struggling to Meet 2% NATO Spending Goal.

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❓What Happened: NATO member state Italy is beginning to doubt it will meet the alliance’s two percent of GDP defense spending target, unless the organization accepts the country’s use of a budget gimmick to reclassify some non-military spending.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Italian government, NATO, and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: Concerns began arising in late April, with Italy having to submit its defense budget for review later this year.

💬 Key Quote: “Of course, there will be political pressure from both [the] EU and NATO to spend more,” an Italian government official said of efforts to hit NATO’s two percent of GDP defense spending target.

⚠️ Impact: If NATO and the European Commission reject Italy’s budget gimmick, the country will be pressured to increase its defense spending in real terms. That would likely require the Italian government to shift spending away from social welfare programs and could cause political unrest.

IN FULL:

While Italy continues to publicly insist it will reach the agreed-upon defense spending target for NATO member states, privately, officials in Rome are telling a very different story. Currently, member states are committed to reaching a defense spending rate of at least two percent of each country’s GDP.

For weeks, Italian government leaders have floated the prospect of reclassifying certain civil spending programs as military spending—a ploy they insist will get them past the two percent defense spending threshold. However, doubt is now mounting that such budget gimmicks will pass muster with NATO and the European Union (EU).

Conversely, while Italy struggles to hit the current two percent target, U.S. President Donald J. Trump is pushing NATO member states to increase their defense commitments to five percent of GDP. During Trump’s first term in office, he increased pressure on NATO to meet its defense obligations and not be overly reliant on the United States backfilling budget gaps with American taxpayer dollars.

The Italian government appears to believe that adjusting the categorization of money appropriated for its financial police and coast guard, along with other military-adjacent spending, will allow it to hit the current two percent target. If the budget gimmick is rejected, however, Italy may need to increase its military spending in real terms. This would likely require the Southern European nation to divert funding from its costly and overburdened social programs.

According to POLITICO, one Italian official contends, “Of course, there will be political pressure from both [the] EU and NATO to spend more.” Additionally, the official argues that an increase in Italy’s purchase of American weapons, even if just a slight increase, may help lessen the emphasis on strictly adhering to the two percent baseline. Last year, Italy’s defense spending comprised just 1.49 percent of the country’s GDP, one of the lowest ratios in Europe.

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17 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Guatemalans Charged in Murder Case Entered U.S. Illegally, Skipped Immigration Hearing.

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❓What Happened: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed that a Guatemalan illegal, immigrant charged with murdering his girlfriend, and his uncle, arrested as an alleged accessory to the crime, entered the U.S. illegally and skipped their immigration court hearings.

👥 Who’s Involved: Keycy Robinson Alexis Barrera-Rosa, 23, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Lesbia Mileth Ramirez Guerra. Rolvin Eduardo Barrera-Barrera, 37, is accused of assisting in concealing her body.

📍 Where & When: Charles County, Maryland, on April 17.

💬 Key Quote: ICE Baltimore acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins stated, “The arrest of these two individuals marks a significant step towards justice.”

⚠️ Impact: This case highlights the ongoing concern regarding public safety and illegal immigration in the community.

IN FULL:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have detained two illegal immigrants who are Guatemalan nationals in a case involving the alleged murder of a Guatemalan woman in Maryland. Keycy Robinson Alexis Barrera-Rosa, 23, is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Lesbia Mileth Ramirez Guerra. Authorities also arrested Barrera-Rosa’s uncle, 37-year-old Rolvin Eduardo Barrera-Barrera, as an accessory to the crime after the fact.

ICE records indicate that both Barrera-Rosa and Barrera-Barrera entered the United States illegally near El Paso, Texas, in April 2019. They were issued Notices to Appear before a Department of Justice (DOJ) immigration judge; however, neither attended the hearing.

According to Charles County, Maryland police, the body of Ramirez Guerra was discovered buried in Cedarville State Forest, following her reported disappearance in March. The arrest was made by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers, and Barrera-Rosa is currently held at the ICE Farmville Detention Center in Farmville, Virginia. Barrera-Barrera is detained without bond at the Charles County Detention Center, pending further legal process.

Vernon Liggins, the acting Field Office Director for ICE Baltimore, described the apprehension of the two suspects as a pivotal development in addressing the crime. “The arrest of these two individuals marks a significant step towards justice,” Liggins said, continuing: “This heinous crime not only devastated a community but also reinforced the urgent need to prioritize public safety by identifying, arresting, and removing egregious illegal aliens who threaten our neighborhoods.”

He added: “ICE will continue to work tirelessly, side by side with our law enforcement partners, to safeguard our communities and uphold the rule of law.”

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