MIAMI (AP), A stabbing death in Florida has prompted criticism of federal government handling of immigration. Local authorities discovered that the suspect had lied to his identity and was recently arrested crossing the U.S.–Mexico border.
The office of Governor. Ron DeSantis' office alerted journalists about the case before the man was arraigned. It cites reports that the suspect, aged 24, posed as a teenager to cross the border as an unaccompanied minor. Federal officials have not confirmed this nor explained how he got to Florida. DeSantis' office claims that the case shows poor vetting and lack of transparency about how the Biden administration transports illegal immigrants.
Yery Medina Ulla, the suspect, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder charges on Thursday.
Border agents could have established Medina Ulloa wasn't a minor and was honest about his true identity. He should not be allowed to travel around the country without proper vetting. Christina Pushaw, a spokeswoman for governors, said this in an email.
DeSantis is running for reelection, and is looking at a run for the presidency in 2024. He has taken a tough stance against illegal immigration. For months, he has been attacking President Joe Biden's administration. He claims that Biden's policies have led to more illegal immigrants crossing the border.
A review of AIM Media Texas and The Associated Press revealed that Biden was not prepared for the large increase in asylum seekers at the border at various points during the year.
It is not clear how Medina Ulloa (Honduras) was processed after arriving in the U.S.
The State Attorneys Office of Jacksonville stated that he was apprehended earlier this year by the U.S. Border Patrol, but couldn't confirm whether he used another identity at the time. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (which oversees Border Patrol) did not respond to questions.
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Witnesses found Medina Ulloa covered in blood near a Jacksonville pond on Oct. 7. Witnesses claim Medina Ulloa called them saying that he had murdered Francisco Cuellar after hitting him. Cuellar was found on the living room floor, apparently shot by Medina Ulloa. Witnesses claim that Cuellar had been in Cuellar’s home and called him uncle. However, they are not related.
After giving deputies a new name and claiming he was 17, he was arrested and taken to a juvenile detention facility. Court documents show that six days later, he was arrested and placed in a juvenile detention center. He gave sheriff deputies a different name and claimed he was 17.
According to Honduras, a woman identified as his mother in Jutiquile said that her son had used a different name in order to get into a shelter.
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department stated that it doesn't comment on individual cases and didn't confirm that the man was in its custody. This happens when minors are discovered by the Border Patrol.
In August, approximately 13% of the children released from government custody went with distant relatives or unrelated. The government usually requires documentation to prove the child's relationship or that the child was a member of the same family before they came to the U.S.
Telephone calls for comment were not returned by Medina Ulloa's public defender.
