Posting Date: December 14, 2006
Driving While Illegal Ends in Soldier’s Death
By DANIEL JOHN SOBIESKIA
U.S. Marine who survived combat in Iraq died recently when an illegal alien slammed into his car at a red light. The other driver shouldn’t have been drinking — at least not in this country.Marine Cpl. Brian Mathews had served eight months in Iraq and another tour of duty in the Pacific and had come home to Maryland for the Thanksgiving holidays. He was scheduled to leave the Corps in June.He and his date, Jennifer Bower, 22, were killed Thanksgiving night when they were hit from behind by Eduardo Raul Morales-Soriano, who was driving with a blood alcohol level four times the legal limit. A week later, Morales-Soriano was identified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office in Baltimore as an illegal alien. The argument is that we should provide driver’s licenses to illegal aliens because they are going to drive to their jobs anyway and obtaining a license at least improves public safety.But Morales-Soriano had a license. He had it nine months earlier when he had an accident in a parking lot and failed a field sobriety test.But a clerical error by police caused the proper paperwork to suspend that license to be filed. Nor did police bother to check his immigration status. That, according to the ACLU and others, would be racial profiling and discriminatory. So, Morales-Soriano went on his merry way, to drink and drive again.Maryland is among a handful of states that do not prohibit illegal aliens from obtaining driver’s licenses or other identification, either through outright bans or restrictions that make it impossible to game the systemMorales-Soriano had a license from North Carolina which he used to apply for a Maryland license. North Carolina’s rules are arguably the least restrictive and is a popular destination for those who might otherwise be denied a license.Court officials in New Jersey have complained that North Carolina’s requirements are so lax that busloads of illegal immigrants make regular trips there to obtain licenses fraudulently.An audit by the Department of Transportation noted documents accepted as proof of residency in North Carolina are easily forged.Maryland Delegate Christopher B. Shank has said that denying a license to Morales-Sorianomight have made a difference and saved two lives. Had he lacked a license, Morales-Soriano might have been prosecuted after the earlier incident. Had his immigration status been checked at any point, he might have been sent home.The REAL ID act, scheduled to take effect in 2008, will prohibit all states from issuing licenses to illegal aliens or the licenses will not be accepted as identification for federal purposes.Even with REAL ID, which will undoubtedly be challenged, the opportunity to game the system will exist. Some states will resist and treat enforcement with benign neglect. This is not only a matter of public safety but a matter of national security. Not all of those who violate our laws are looking for a better life for themselves and their families. One of the first things the Sept. 11 terrorists did when they arrived in the United States was to get driver’s licenses.The 19 terrorists traveled all around the country, to states that granted licenses to virtually anyone, and acquired 63 of them. Maryland Delegate Ana Sol Guitierrez says tightening license requirements wouldn’t solve the problem, saying, “The fact that a driver is drunk and has an accident — of course that is abhorrent.But that’s got nothing to do with where they were born or what their immigration status is.” Yes, Cpl. Mathews could have been as easily killed by a drunken driver who was an American citizen. But we have enough carnage on our highways. We don’t have to import it.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Racially Motivated Murder by illegal
Hate-crime charges filed in Harbor Gateway slaying.
A reputed member of a Latino gang is accused in the murder of a black girl and the wounding of three others.
By Gene Maddaus DAILY BREEZE
A reputed Latino gang member was charged Tuesday with the hate-crime murder of a 14-year-old black girl, a slaying that highlighted racial tensions in Harbor Gateway and prompted a peace march last weekend. Police say Ernesto Alcarez, 20, was one of two young men who walked up to a group of black teenagers Dec. 15, spraying them with bullets. Cheryl Green, 14, was killed, and three of her friends were injured. Alcarez was not charged with gun enhancements, suggesting police do not believe he was the shooter. Hollywood Park Casino"He was one of the people that was involved in the shooting," LAPD Lt. David Pierson said. "We're still looking for the other guy." Police say Alcarez is affiliated with the 204th Street gang, which is known for its assaults on blacks. Alcarez appeared briefly in a Long Beach courtroom Tuesday afternoon. He faces one count of premeditated murder and six counts of attempted murder. The charges were filed as hate crimes, meaning that if convicted, Alcarez could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Outside court, Alcarez's mother, Irma Torres, said she did not believe her son was responsible. "I don't believe he is a member of a gang," she said in Spanish. "I don't believe he is capable of killing a child." Green was shot while standing with six friends on the corner of 206th Street and Harvard Avenue. The street is a known border between black and Latino gangs, with Latinos dominating the area north of 206th Street and blacks holding the area to the south. Residents try to avoid the border area, which is known to be particularly violent. Green had been grounded a month before her death for hanging out on the corner where she was later killed.A group of about 100 marchers paraded on Harvard Avenue on Saturday in an effort to reclaim the street from local gangs. The marchers entered a market that black residents have been afraid to visit for many years.Detectives served eight search warrants Thursday in connection with the shooting. They seized four weapons, some drugs, and other evidence, Pierson said. They also arrested Jesus Martinez, 30, on a charge of being a felon in possession of a gun. Martinez also is believed to be a 204th Street gang member. Alcarez and Martinez appeared in the same courtroom Tuesday afternoon. Alcarez, who has a slight frame and a neatly trimmed goatee, spoke through a Spanish interpreter. His arraignment was delayed until Jan. 8. Martinez, who is not suspected of involvement in the Green shooting, also had his hearing delayed until Jan. 10. Through an interpreter, Torres said that her son has been in the Harbor Gateway area for about four months. She said her son has been arrested only once before, for graffiti, about two years ago. Alcarez is her only son. She also has three daughters. The family emigrated from Mexico several years ago. Sword Medical She said her son has been working recently for a relative, in a job that involves billiard tables. Asked about the serious charges, and stiff sentence, that her son faces, she said, "I don't know what to say. I have no words."Green's mother, Charlene Lovett, was preparing Tuesday for her daughter's funeral, which will be held at 1 p.m. today at The Living Room in Inglewood. "I heard about it," she said of the arrest. "No words can describe how I feel."
A reputed member of a Latino gang is accused in the murder of a black girl and the wounding of three others.
By Gene Maddaus DAILY BREEZE
A reputed Latino gang member was charged Tuesday with the hate-crime murder of a 14-year-old black girl, a slaying that highlighted racial tensions in Harbor Gateway and prompted a peace march last weekend. Police say Ernesto Alcarez, 20, was one of two young men who walked up to a group of black teenagers Dec. 15, spraying them with bullets. Cheryl Green, 14, was killed, and three of her friends were injured. Alcarez was not charged with gun enhancements, suggesting police do not believe he was the shooter. Hollywood Park Casino"He was one of the people that was involved in the shooting," LAPD Lt. David Pierson said. "We're still looking for the other guy." Police say Alcarez is affiliated with the 204th Street gang, which is known for its assaults on blacks. Alcarez appeared briefly in a Long Beach courtroom Tuesday afternoon. He faces one count of premeditated murder and six counts of attempted murder. The charges were filed as hate crimes, meaning that if convicted, Alcarez could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Outside court, Alcarez's mother, Irma Torres, said she did not believe her son was responsible. "I don't believe he is a member of a gang," she said in Spanish. "I don't believe he is capable of killing a child." Green was shot while standing with six friends on the corner of 206th Street and Harvard Avenue. The street is a known border between black and Latino gangs, with Latinos dominating the area north of 206th Street and blacks holding the area to the south. Residents try to avoid the border area, which is known to be particularly violent. Green had been grounded a month before her death for hanging out on the corner where she was later killed.A group of about 100 marchers paraded on Harvard Avenue on Saturday in an effort to reclaim the street from local gangs. The marchers entered a market that black residents have been afraid to visit for many years.Detectives served eight search warrants Thursday in connection with the shooting. They seized four weapons, some drugs, and other evidence, Pierson said. They also arrested Jesus Martinez, 30, on a charge of being a felon in possession of a gun. Martinez also is believed to be a 204th Street gang member. Alcarez and Martinez appeared in the same courtroom Tuesday afternoon. Alcarez, who has a slight frame and a neatly trimmed goatee, spoke through a Spanish interpreter. His arraignment was delayed until Jan. 8. Martinez, who is not suspected of involvement in the Green shooting, also had his hearing delayed until Jan. 10. Through an interpreter, Torres said that her son has been in the Harbor Gateway area for about four months. She said her son has been arrested only once before, for graffiti, about two years ago. Alcarez is her only son. She also has three daughters. The family emigrated from Mexico several years ago. Sword Medical She said her son has been working recently for a relative, in a job that involves billiard tables. Asked about the serious charges, and stiff sentence, that her son faces, she said, "I don't know what to say. I have no words."Green's mother, Charlene Lovett, was preparing Tuesday for her daughter's funeral, which will be held at 1 p.m. today at The Living Room in Inglewood. "I heard about it," she said of the arrest. "No words can describe how I feel."
They start em young
Boy, 12, Deported From Arkansas After Rape Confession Location: Rogers
Posted: December 30, 2006 3:05 PM EST
URL: http://www.katv.com/news/stories//384159.html
Rogers (AP) - Immigration officials have deported a 12-year-old boy who confessed earlier this year to raping an 8-year-old female relative. The family of the boy, whose name has not been identified, was also detained. Congressman John Boozman says that federal immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began investigating the family last week. Boozman says he notified immigration officials after a Rogers school official told him about the situation. The boy was taken into juvenile custody in August after Rogers police heard about the incident. On November 27th, Benton Country Circuit Judge Jay Finch ordered two years probation and outpatient individual and family counseling for the boy after he confessed to the rape.Rogers Mayor Steve Womack says the family, including the boy, his three siblings and parents were taken into custody early Thursday. This is the first known case of an adjudicated delinquent in Benton County being deported because of a crime.
Posted: December 30, 2006 3:05 PM EST
URL: http://www.katv.com/news/stories//384159.html
Rogers (AP) - Immigration officials have deported a 12-year-old boy who confessed earlier this year to raping an 8-year-old female relative. The family of the boy, whose name has not been identified, was also detained. Congressman John Boozman says that federal immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began investigating the family last week. Boozman says he notified immigration officials after a Rogers school official told him about the situation. The boy was taken into juvenile custody in August after Rogers police heard about the incident. On November 27th, Benton Country Circuit Judge Jay Finch ordered two years probation and outpatient individual and family counseling for the boy after he confessed to the rape.Rogers Mayor Steve Womack says the family, including the boy, his three siblings and parents were taken into custody early Thursday. This is the first known case of an adjudicated delinquent in Benton County being deported because of a crime.
Florida Hit and Run
How does an illegal construction worker afford to drive an SUV?
Illegal immigrant charged with leaving the scene of fatal accident
Armando Lopez-Canada
By: Dave Balut
Tampa, Florida - Police say the driver charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident on the Courtney Campbell Causeway Thursday night is from Mexico and in this country illegally.
Four-and-a-half-year-old Joshua Morrow and his 42-year-old uncle Ronald Bishop were killed in the westbound lanes of the causeway at Bay Harbor Drive.
A witness followed the suspect’s gold-colored SUV and gave police the tag number.
Clearwater police arrested 26-year-old Armando Lopez-Canada a short time later.
The illegal immigrant is now charged with leaving the scene of an accident with death.
Brenda Andujar, Victim’s Grandmother:
“ I just can’t believe how cold and callous a person would be to know that they hit two human beings and just keep on going regardless of his immigration status and just being a human being.”
Lopez-Canada and three other illegal immigrants in the SUV were on their way home from a construction job for PCL in Orlando.
He was able to get a driver’s license with his Mexican passport and immigration application, but his license is expired.
Lopez-Canada also owned the vehicle involved in the fatal accident.
Illegal immigrant charged with leaving the scene of fatal accident
Armando Lopez-Canada
By: Dave Balut
Tampa, Florida - Police say the driver charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident on the Courtney Campbell Causeway Thursday night is from Mexico and in this country illegally.
Four-and-a-half-year-old Joshua Morrow and his 42-year-old uncle Ronald Bishop were killed in the westbound lanes of the causeway at Bay Harbor Drive.
A witness followed the suspect’s gold-colored SUV and gave police the tag number.
Clearwater police arrested 26-year-old Armando Lopez-Canada a short time later.
The illegal immigrant is now charged with leaving the scene of an accident with death.
Brenda Andujar, Victim’s Grandmother:
“ I just can’t believe how cold and callous a person would be to know that they hit two human beings and just keep on going regardless of his immigration status and just being a human being.”
Lopez-Canada and three other illegal immigrants in the SUV were on their way home from a construction job for PCL in Orlando.
He was able to get a driver’s license with his Mexican passport and immigration application, but his license is expired.
Lopez-Canada also owned the vehicle involved in the fatal accident.
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