The individual implicated in the homicide of a nursing student from Georgia, who had crossed into the U.S. from Mexico, reportedly had ties to a notorious Venezuelan gang yet wasn’t mandated to check in with authorities for two years. Identified as 26-year-old Jose Ibarra, he was apprehended for illegal entry near El Paso, Texas, and subsequently released due to the limited holding capacity of the involved agency.
Ibarra was assigned a court date in October 2024 to address his immigration status, a timeline later extended to December 2024. It emerged that Ibarra was a suspected member of the violent Tren de Aragua gang.
Following his release, Ibarra relocated to New York City, staying in a municipal shelter and engaging in delivery work and restaurant employment. He moved to New York City alongside his partner and her child, both of whom had accompanied him across the border.
However, after a minor arrest in New York and subsequent release, Ibarra traveled to Georgia, where he reportedly committed a violent crime against 22-year-old Laken Riley, dragging her to an isolated spot and causing fatal injuries.
Ibarra’s brother, Diego, also entered the U.S. and managed to remove an ankle monitor to avoid tracking. Both brothers were later apprehended for a theft incident. The authorities have indicated that Diego possesses tattoos associated with the Tren de Aragua gang and faces legal action due to his criminal background.
