Flores-Villalba, a Mexican national, was arrested by Stony Point Town Police Dec. 25, for fleeing from the fatal hit-and-run. He was released that same day without bail. ICE was alerted to Flores-Villalba’s arrest after his fingerprints revealed he was previously apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in 2008 when he attempted to enter the country illegally, and was subsequently returned to Mexico. Flores-Villalba re-entered the country illegally at an unknown date and time following that encounter.

“ICE understands people in this community are alarmed about the release of this individual after being arrested for a crime of this heart-breaking nature,” said ICE New York Field Office Director Thomas Decker. “This is exactly why ICE and local law enforcement agencies should cooperate to the utmost extent possible and not be limited on how we work together. Creating laws and policies that prevent cooperation between law enforcement agencies just to promote their political agenda, places the safety of the public in danger. Due to the hard work of our officers, we were able to find and arrest this accused criminal, but there are countless others who are released without ICE even knowing, or whom it may take a great amount of resources to find for arrest.”

Flores-Villalba is expected to remain in ICE custody pending his removal proceedings; ICE will continue to work with the local law enforcement agencies regarding his upcoming court date for his criminal proceedings.

READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE FROM ICE HERE.