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Triple murder suspect is an illegal immigrant released in February despite ICE detainer request
Luis Perez, an illegal immigrant charged with triple murder, was released in 2017 from Middlesex County jail even though ICE had a detainer request for him. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Triple murder suspect is an illegal immigrant released in February despite ICE detainer request

A Mexican illegal immigrant who has been charged with three murders in Missouri was released from a New Jersey jail earlier this year even though Immigration and Customs Enforcement was seeking to detain him, according to an ICE press release.

Luis Perez, a 23-year-old who is charged with killing his two roommates and a woman who was with him for the first two murders, was released from Middlesex County Jail in February, as the jail did not cooperate with an active detainer request from ICE.

"This tragedy might have been avoided had it not been for the reckless policy required of the Middlesex County Jail by their county officials," John Tsoukaris, a Newark field office director, said. "Despite such policies, ICE [Enforcement and Removal Operations] will continue to enforce federal immigration law and prioritize public safety in the community."

From New Jersey to Missouri: Perez was in Middlesex County Jail in December 2017 on domestic violence charges. Middlesex County is a sanctuary county, so the jail did not notify ICE when Perez was being released at the conclusion of his criminal proceedings. Perez moved to Missouri once he was released, and the triple murder occurred in Springfield.

Brutal murders: According to police documents, Perez shot and killed roommates Steven Marler and Aaron Hampton at their home on Nov. 1, and wounded two other people. The next day, Perez allegedly fatally shot Sabrina Starr, who had accompanied Perez to his home when the first two murders occurred.

Aaron Anderson was also with Starr and Perez on Nov. 1, allegedly waiting outside in an SUV with Starr while Perez killed his roommates. He was also with Perez when they went to Starr's home and Perez allegedly shot and killed her. Anderson has been charged as an accomplice with two counts of first-degree murder.

Lessons learned? "Perez had a violent history, but despite that, the detainer was not honored," Tsourkaris said. "We hope that this tragic turn of events forces Middlesex to reconsider its policy and that the local elected officials stop protecting criminal aliens."

Correction: The headline of this story has been updated to reflect that Perez was released from Middlesex County Jail in February, not last year.

(H/T The Daily Caller)

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