Spanberger's ICE rollback to blame for toddler killing, Virginia 'hotbed' of illegal immigrant crime: DHS
FIRST ON FOX: The Department of Homeland Security blasted Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger after a red county’s cooperation with the agency led to swift justice for an illegal immigrant accused of killing a child.
DHS accused Spanberger of creating a "hotbed" for illegal immigrant violence with her day one order rescinding former Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s 287(g) agreement, which cut cooperative ties between ICE and Virginia State Police, fish and game wardens and state corrections officials, after the latest gruesome incident.
Mexican national Raul Genesis Ortiz Moran is accused of sexually assaulting a toddler in rural Louisa County, halfway between Richmond and Charlottesville.
"This horrific tragedy was completely avoidable because this illegal alien should have never been in our country. Governor Spanberger’s sanctuary policies have made Virginia a hotbed for illegal alien crime," Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis exclusively told Fox News Digital.
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The girl’s mother rushed the injured 2-year-old to a sheriff’s office in neighboring Goochland County, where deputies attempted to resuscitate the child, who ultimately died.
Goochland and Louisa authorities cooperated directly with ICE, who quickly took Ortiz Moran into federal custody, Fox News Digital has learned.
"This monster sexually assaulted and murdered a 2-year-old girl in Virginia," Bis said.
"Thanks to the cooperation of our local law enforcement partners, this killer is off the streets and will face justice for his crimes."
In response, a spokesperson for Spanberger said the Democrat "strongly believes violent criminals who are in the United States illegally should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and deported.
"Under Governor Spanberger’s leadership, the Virginia Department of Corrections continues the long-standing practice of notifying ICE when individuals born outside of the United States are in state custody. Virginia state law enforcement agencies also continue to participate in task forces and interagency cooperation with federal agencies."
The spokesperson added Spanberger strives to protect Virginia's children.
Ortiz Moran was arrested on charges of murder and aggravated sexual battery. The mother, who brought the girl to police from her home near Gum Spring, is reportedly the suspect’s girlfriend.
Louisa County Sheriff Donald Lowe called the incident an "unimaginable tragedy" in a statement, adding his deputies will "thoroughly investigate" the case.
Lowe told Richmond’s ABC affiliate he was afraid Ortiz Moran was "going to bolt," so his office called ICE.
Goochland County Sheriff Steve Creasy told the outlet he is proud of the deputies who attempted to save the child and pledged to assist other authorities as needed.
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DHS reiterated that Ortiz Moran’s case is only the latest in several violent or troubling incidents involving illegal immigrants in Virginia since Spanberger took office in January.
Officials noted ICE lodged a detainer for El Salvadoran national Juan Arevalo Mendez in June after he was arrested on rape and abduction charges in Fairfax County.
Another case involved Mexican illegal immigrant Samuel Flores de Dios in Fredericksburg, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison on CSAM charges involving the production of child sexual abuse material.
Other illegal immigrants either detained or subject to detainers by ICE have been charged with indecent exposure, abduction of a person with intent to defile, carjacking, assault, robbery and more.
Most of the cases ICE listed occurred in Democrat-controlled jurisdictions like Fairfax County, Prince William County, Loudoun County and the independent city of Newport News.
DHS said the recent cases have increased pressure on Spanberger and Democratic commonwealth's attorneys to cooperate with ICE as some Virginia jurisdictions also face congressional scrutiny.