The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer requesting South Carolina officials not to release Nemecio Aguilar-Hernandez, an individual charged in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a 17-year-old skateboarder.
The incident occurred on July 22 in Greenville, where Jose Martinez was struck by a car that fled the scene. Police arrested Aguilar-Hernandez, identified as an illegal alien from Mexico, the following day, charging him with hit-and-run involving death and driving under suspension. ICE lodged its detainer with Greenville County on July 26.
Aguilar-Hernandez has a criminal history, including two prior arrests for driving under the influence in 2009 and 2010, and a conviction for DUI in 2012. He was previously deported from the United States in 2010 and again in 2012 after illegally re-entering the country.
Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said, "This criminal illegal alien hit a 17-year-old skateboarder with his car and fled the scene of the accident. This illegal alien should have NEVER been in our country. He had already been deported from our country TWICE in the past and has a prior conviction for driving under the influence. DHS is asking officials in South Carolina to not release this illegal alien from jail and to cooperate with ICE so that we can remove him from our country." DHS seeks his removal from the country.