3 suspects in Wheaton slaying are illegal aliens, official says
By Freeman Klopott
Examiner Staff Writer 12/4/08
Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents issued warrants for Ramon Alvarado, Jose Alvarado and Ana Rodas on Wednesday afternoon, jail director Arthur Wallenstein said.
Wallenstein said that half of the 16 jail inmates accused of murder are illegal immigrants.
Cousins Jose and Ramon Alvarado were in jail in connection with the beating death of Lila Meizel. Police say the cousins lighted the woman’s body on fire to cover up a check fraud scheme. Rodas allegedly helped the two kill Meizel.
Both Alvarado cousins had prior criminal records in Montgomery County. Jose, 37, for check fraud and Ramon, 32, for driving a car without a license or registration, court records show. Rodas, 32, has no criminal history.
The recent spate of high-profile killings allegedly committed by illegal immigrants who had criminal histories has county officials re-examining the policy of not checking the immigration status of people the county detains, said Montgomery County executive spokesman Patrick Lacefield.
County Councilman George Leventhal said Police Chief Thomas Manger is reviewing the circumstances of how an illegal immigrant and MS-13 member accused of murdering a 14-year-old Silver Spring boy was released from custody just weeks before he allegedly shot Tai Lam to death on a county bus Nov. 1.
In October, Hector Mauricio Hernandez, 20, was arrested on a concealed weapons charge, but there was no federal immigration warrant for him at the time, so he was released, county officials said.
Leventhal said any policy change would come from the police department or the state’s attorney’s office and it likely would be limited to the county’s handling of immigrants accused of violent crimes or weapons offenses.
State’s Attorney John McCarthy said it was premature to comment on any policy changes and a police department spokesman declined to comment.
The prior charges against the Alvarado cousins wouldn’t have merited a immigration status check under the policy change being considered.
The check fraud charges against Jose Alvarado were dropped when he paid back the business he ripped off, a state’s attorney spokesman said. Ramon Alvarado skipped a court date Nov. 7 and had a warrant out for his arrest for driving offenses when he was taken into custody for the slaying late last week, court records show.
20 Comments
Reader Comments:
POSTED Dec 4, 2008
LEGAL Allien: "It's MoCo you silly idiot. Why would you expect criminal illegal aliens to have their background checked?"POSTED Dec 4, 2008
Bob: "Just thank Ike Leggett for this murder. He's the one promoting Montgomery County as a sanctuary area. The family should sue the county for millions for lax enforcement. They could easily prove it."POSTED Dec 4, 2008
Concerned MCo Citizen: "Ike Leggett has blood on his hands and he has to resign or he needs to be thrown out from office. How many more people have to die for him and the rest of illegal immigrant sympathizers to take any kind of action ? The people of MCo need to demonstrate in front his office.CASA de Maryland should be shut!They get $ 300,000 in grants and have the audacity to sue the MD govetnment."POSTED Dec 4, 2008
: "This is a great story...Good information."POSTED Dec 4, 2008
ScarletDove: "No, Casa gets 1.9 million from MoCo. I lie here and have written to all legislators re: illegals in our midst, there is always an excuse from the bleeding heart liberals, just be prepared for amnesty for all the illegals in this country, then the whole country will endure the increase crimes by illegals, which are already all over the US. Just seems the sanctuary areas have it worse. And yes Leggett has blood on his hands as well as all the other liberal legislators who protect these illegal criminals. Get yourself a gun for protection."POSTED Dec 4, 2008
Wallace Warfield Simpson: "Get rid of CASA - or Central American Solidarity Association with ties to Marxist Hugo Chavez- Did you know that CASA is receiving tax dollars from YOU? CASA and Martino Owe CASA de Malle, Joe Vallerio, Ike Legett and all of the other pandering sell out politicians...you have blood on your hands Join Help Save Maryland to take back your state"POSTED Dec 4, 2008
AL EISNER: "This Crime could have been preveted if Montgomery County would go after illegal Immigrants and arrest them instead of coodling them and protect them. Illegal Immigrants should not have the right to live in Montgomery County or anywhere else in this State or Country. Leadership and Police in Montgomery County DO YOUR JOB and lets rid off of this menace or these illegal immigrants now. Enough is Enough. They have damaged us enough allready AL EISNER WHEATON"POSTED Dec 4, 2008
Citizen: "At the current time, Maryland law does not require an applicant for a Maryland License, Learner's Permit or Photo ID Card to provide proof of "Legal" presence in the United States. Until the actual law is changed, the Maryland MVA is not permitted to require any applicant to provide immigration documentation concerning their legal status in the United States and Maryland. The applicant must however provide acceptable proof of their identity and Maryland residence."POSTED Dec 5, 2008
DeportH1BNow: "The only good illegal alien is a dead one! The FAILURE of the corrupt politicians to enforce U.S. laws is destroying the country. The ultimate blame resides with the American people for their cowardly and lazy FAILURE to go out into the streets and DEMONSTRATE."POSTED Dec 5, 2008
June: "These people seem to exhibit the traits of animals. They steal into our country, prey on people and then run for their lair when they are caught. As long as we have elected officials who welcome them in order to gain votes or received payoffs from big business, Americans will suffer the consequences of unrestricted illegal immigration."POSTED Dec 5, 2008
Bobby: "Illegal aliens are a scourge on Americans in more ways than I can possibly print here. Our traitor politicians need to be held to account by the stupid American citizenry sooner or later."POSTED Dec 5, 2008
proudyankee08: "This latest murderous incident just proves Montgomery County should have a 287(g) partnernship withn ICE so that illegal alien criminals can be vetted on the street or in jail befor they committ more horrific crimes like the Miezel murder. All illegal aliens here in Maryland and all over the country should be deported, no exceptions! CASA de Maryland is an anti-American, subversive Communist front org. and all public funding should be halted immediately."POSTED Dec 5, 2008
protectyourcitizens: "Wake-up Montgomery Chief Manger, your efforts to block proative measures to deal with illegal immigration is casuing death and injury to your residents. Remember, the public's safety is your number one priority, not what is politically correct for the Democrats."POSTED Dec 5, 2008
OJJPAC: "Many Americans are being killed by illegal aliens. Visit the Memorial to the Victims of Illegal Aliens here: http://www.ojjpac.org/memorial.asp"POSTED Dec 5, 2008
OJJPAC: "Many Americans are being killed by illegal aliens. Visit the Memorial to the Victims of Illegal Aliens here: http://www.ojjpac.org/memorial.asp"POSTED Dec 5, 2008
OJJPAC: "Many Americans are being killed by illegal aliens. Visit the Memorial to the Victims of Illegal Aliens here: http://www.ojjpac.org/memorial.asp"POSTED Dec 5, 2008
OJJPAC: "Many Americans are being killed by illegal aliens. Visit the Memorial to the Victims of Illegal Aliens here: http://www.ojjpac.org/memorial.asp"POSTED Dec 6, 2008
fran: "Good luck to you in Montgomery. I used to live in Burtonsville and got out of ther a year and a half ago. I moved to a state that does not give any aid to illegal immigrants. They believe in enforcing the law. My state taxes as a result are LOW, as I am not paying for illegals health care, education, welfare and housing. I am no longer paying for Labor Sites for illegals, so they won't suffer the elements or because they're so filthy they leave areas like pig stys. Baltimore is nationally known as a sanctuary city and most people out of state consider the same for the entire state of MD. Writing letters to legislators is an effort in futility in MD. Politics are "fixed" strong in MD. I loved my state of MD, but sometimes for own good, we have to leave things we love. I could no longer stand to see what was happening in MD. God bless you all."POSTED Dec 6, 2008
Outraged: "So this is the end for a member of "The Greatest Generation." Lila Meizel survived The Great Depression and WW2 but couldn't survive the illegal Hispanic invasion. God rest her soul, and God protect us from our government."POSTED Dec 18, 2008
WReid: "I have a brother-in-law who is here illegally (Mont. Co). My question is, how and who do I call to report him so that he will be deported back to his home country of Mexico? Thanks"