Thread: Suspects in murder of Border Patrol agent arrested and deported numerous times

Suspects in murder of Border Patrol agent arrested and deported numerous times

By Jana Winter
Published August 05, 2014 FoxNews.com

• U.S. Border Agent Javier Vega Jr. is seen in this undated file photo.Customs & Border Protection

RAYMONDVILLE, Texas -- Two illegal immigrants from Mexico who were charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of an off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent in front of his family in Texas have been arrested and deported numerous times, police sources told FoxNews.com.

One suspect has been arrested no fewer than four times for entering the U.S. illegally, according to federal court records. The other has been deported twice after entering the U.S. illegally, sources said.

Gustavo Tijerina, 30, and Ismael Hernandez, 40, were arraigned Tuesday afternoon inside the Willacy County jail library. They were ordered held without bail after being charged with capital murder of a peace officer, attempted murder, and a variety of lesser charges.

The pair, who have been living in Texas illegally, confessed after being interviewed multiple times Monday to killing Border Patrol agent Javier Vega Jr. in front of his wife and two kids and his parents Sunday night while they were fishing in Santa Monica, Sheriff Larry Spence told FoxNews.com.

They finally confessed to the robbery and indicated they knew they had killed someone, but did not know it was an off-duty Border Patrol agent, Spence said in an interview in his office Tuesday morning.

"They do now," he said.

When asked how the suspects reacted when they learned the victim was a Border Patrol agent, Spence said, "shock and concern."

The sheriff said the two suspects were likely connected to cartels or other criminal gangs.

"They claim to have been involved in other incidents, this means you've got stolen vehicles going into Mexico," he said.

"Everything is going to be cartel-related, there's a connection somehow.
"This is not the first episode of border violence in Willacy County but it's the first time someone's been killed," he said.

Tijerina, who according to records was arrested at least four times between 2007 and 2010 for entering the U.S. illegally, and Hernandez allegedly approached Vega and his family and tried to rob them on Sunday night. When Vega pulled out his weapon, the suspects allegedly shot him in the chest, killing him.Vega's father was shot in the hip and is recovering at a nearby hospital.

According to court records, Tijerina, who also goes by the name Tijerina-Sandoval, pleaded guilty to entering the U.S. illegally on July 9, 2007. He was given a 30-day sentence with credit for time served and charged a $10 fee.

Three months later, on Oct. 4, he was again found guilty of entering the country illegally and was sentenced to 60 days in jail and $10 fee. In a criminal complaint, he said he entered the U.S. on Sept. 1 and was encountered by border patrol agents near Weslaco, Texas, on Oct. 3. He had waded across the Rio Grande River near Progreso, Mexico, court records show.

A year later, on Oct. 25, 2008, he again crossed into the U.S. by wading across the river. On Nov. 18, 2008, he was given 90 days in jail and another $10 special assessment fee.

On Dec. 15, 2009, Tijerina was indicted by a grand jury on charges of entering the U.S. illegally yet again. The indictment says he "had previously been denied admission, excluded, deported and removed, knowing and unlawfully was present in the United States having been found near Edinburg, Texas." Court records say he had not obtained consent from the U.S. attorney general and the secretary of homeland security to reapply for admission into the U.S.

A warrant issued for his arrest said he faced up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

He was held without bond on Jan. 26, 2010. He was given nine months in jail and fined $100.

Sources confirmed that these court cases involved the same Tijerina in custody for killing the Border Patrol agent. They said Hernandez, the other suspect, has been deported twice for entering the U.S. illegally.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/08/05...umerous-times/

RELATED

http://www.alipac.us/f12/2-mexican-n...-agent-308853/

• 
  Willacy County Sheriff's Office
• TWO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS from Mexico — Gustavo Tijerina and Ismael Hernandez — living in Texas illegally and charged today with first-degree murder in the shooting death of an off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent, have been arrested and deported numerous times, police sources tell FoxNews.com.
• VIDEO: 2 men face murder charges in death of of

Family of victim, media barred from attending public arraignment


Posted: Tuesday, August 5, 2014 11:34 am

Willacy County officials are blocking media access to the arraignment of two Mexican nationals arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of an off-duty Border Patrol agent.

The sheriff's department is citing security concerns.

Sheriff Larry Spence said the jail has received anonymous calls asking when the arraignment will be held.

He's concerned that an attempt will be made to help the men escape from custody.

The arraignment will be held inside the jail, and no one, including the family of the dead agent, is allowed inside that area, Spence said.

Spence said Border Patrol agent Javier Vega Jr., 36, of Kingsville, died of a gunshot wound to the chest and his father Javier Vega Sr., of La Feria, was hospitalized with a shot to his hip.

Gustavo Tijernia, 30, of La Villa and Ismael Hernandez, 40, of Weslaco, both Mexican nationals from Matamoros, face charges of capital murder, attempted capital murder, four counts of aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence, Spence said.

http://www.themonitor.com/breaking/family-of-victim-media-barred-from-attending-public-arraignment/article_7051f3ca-1cbe-11e4-a270-0017a43b2370.html

It looks like one of them was the right age for DACA.
Bond denied for men accused of killing off-duty Border Patrol agent


Ismael Hernandez, left, and Gustavo Tijerina, are both charged with the murder of off-duty Border Patrol agent Javier Vega Jr. Both suspects are being held without bond.


Posted: Tuesday, August 5, 2014 2:45 pm
Staff report

Gustavo Tijerina, 30, and Ismael Hernandez, 40, both Mexican nationals, were arraigned on charges of capital murder, attempted capital murder, aggravated assault and tampering with evidence.

They are being held without bond.

Hernandez said, through a translator, "I don't have any money for food, much less pay for anything."

He also denied having any gunpowder residue on his hands, which Sheriff Larry Spence described as suspicious that Hernandez would know that.

They appeared before Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace George Solis Tuesday afternoon.

The arraignment was held in the Willacy County jail library, for security reasons, Sheriff Larry Spence said.

Tijerina, who is believed to be the shooter of off-duty Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega Jr., asked for a Bible during the arraignment, and asked to call his family.

According to a translation, Hernandez said, "I don't understand what I'm being accused of, so many things. I don't understand. I wish I could let my wife know and my brothers who are here."

Both men are illegal immigrants, but Tijerina gave an address in La Villa, and Hernandez gave a Weslaco address.

http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/local_news/article_1b349832-1cb1-11e4-a4b2-0017a43b2370.html

'I will not rest until these worthless pieces of s**t are dead': Anguished vow of mother who watched two illegal immigrants - who had been deported SIX times before - gun down her off-duty Border Patrol son

By Will Payne For Mailonline In La Feria, Texas

Published: 10:12 EST, 7 August 2014 | Updated: 13:30 EST, 7 August 2014

A mother who watched her cop son gunned down in front of her, his wife and his children allegedly at the hands of two illegal immigrants has vowed not to rest until his 'worthless piece of s**t' killers are dead.'

Heartbroken Marie Vega was on a family fishing trip with her husband Javier, son Javier Jr., his wife Paola and their three children when they were ambushed by two armed Mexican illegal immigrants who have been deported SIX times before in total.

Javier Jr and his father bravely tried to fight them off, but the off-duty Border Patrol Agent was fatally shot in the chest and Javier Sr was blasted in the hip.


Revenge: Marie Vega took to Facebook to promise that she will avenge her son's death. In an emotional Facebook post she said that she wished she could have died instead of him


Pall bearers carry a casket containing the remains of Javier, 36, out of St. Francis Xavier Church in La Feria, Texas on Thursday


Beloved: Family and friend mourn Javier at the service after the brutal shooting

Mexican nationals Gustavo Tijernia, 30 and Ismael Hernandez, 40 fled the scene and were arrested hours later after a huge man hunt.

The ruthless killing has again highlighted the border crisis plaguing the Obama administration which is struggling to contain a huge wave of illegal immigration across the border with Mexico which has stretched authorities to breaking point this year.

On Tuesday devastated Marie posted an emotionally charged message on her Facebook page alongside a picture of her beloved son.

Marie, who works as a photographer, wrote: 'My sweet sweet baby. I failed you oh sweet child of mine. I was supposed to protect you and keep you safe. I failed to save your life. I wish a million times I had died and not you. You are my life, my heart was ripped out when I lost you. I will not rest until these worthless pieces of s*** are dead.'

Hundreds of law enforcement officers turned out for Javier Vega's mass, held at St. Francis Xavier Church in La Feria on Thursday. The car lot was packed with State Trooper Vehicles, local police cars and SUV's from Javier's colleagues in The Border Patrol.

'My sweet sweet baby. I failed you oh sweet child of mine. I was supposed to protect you and keep you safe. I failed to save your life. I wish a million times I had died and not you. You are my life, my heart was ripped out when I lost you. I will not rest until these worthless pieces of s*** are dead'
- Marie Vega

His devastated family, including his injured father, Javier Snr arrived in a white limousine, behind a hearse.

As his coffin was carried out at the end of the ceremony, officers held up the flags of The Border Patrol, The US Marine Corp and The Stars and Stripes.

Javier was a Border Patrol veteran of six years and had previously served in the U.S. Marine Corp, like his brother Jordy.

On Sunday he travelled to his favorite fishing hole around 20 minutes north of La Feria with his mother, father, wife and three boys Javier Vega III, Jiovanni, and Jarod.

Tijernia and Hernandez pulled up to the secluded spot in a car and tried to rob them at gun point.

When Javier bravely reached for his weapon, they shot him in the chest. TheBlaze reported that his last words were 'keep shooting, dad'. It is believed Javier Sr then grabbed the gun and shot at the robbers, but was blasted in the hip. He has now been released from hospital.

Willacy County Sheriff Larry Spence told TheBlaze that Marie even picked up an AR-15 rifle and shot at the suspects' vehicle as the suspects fled.

They eventually crashed their car and took refuge in a neighbor's house. The home owner alerted Border Patrol officers to their location and scores of agents moved in to arrest them.

They were arraigned on Tuesday and charged with capital murder, attempted capital murder, four counts of aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence.


Gunfight: Javier Vega Jr. (left) was killed and his father Javier R. Vega (center) wounded when the robbers ambushed them on a family fishing trip last Sunday. (Pictured right is brother Jordy)

FOX News has reported Tijernia - who is the alleged gunman - could also face charges in connection with a string of similar attacks in Cameron County over the last six weeks, believed to be linked to the infamous Gulf Cartel.

The ruthless crime syndicate is one of the oldest, most established in Mexico and is based out of the suspects' home town of Matamoros, directly across the border from Brownsville, Texas.

Its primary business is drug smuggling, but it also operates through protection rackets, assassinations, extortions and kidnappings. It is believed it has recently branched out into robbing U.S. citizens, before smuggling their belongings back across the border.

Fox News claims sources have informed them Tijernia is expected to be charged with four counts of aggravated robbery and one conspiracy organized crime charge.

They state one of Tijernia's earlier victims was another off-duty Border Patrol agent who was also out fishing when he was robbed.

The crew would fire warning shots at fishermen, before ordering them to hand over jewelry, cash and keys to their cars, Fox News states.

On Tuesday the station also reported both Tijernia, 30 and Hernandez, 40 had been arrested and deported numerous times.

According to court records, Tijerina, who also goes by the name Tijerina-Sandoval, pleaded guilty to entering the U.S. illegally on July 9, 2007. He was given a 30-day sentence with credit for time served and charged a $10 fee.

Three months later, on Oct. 4, he was again found guilty of entering the country illegally and was sentenced to 60 days in jail and $10 fee. In a criminal complaint, he said he entered the U.S.on Sept. 1 and was confronted by border patrol agents near Weslaco, Texas, on Oct. 3. He had waded across the Rio Grande River near Progreso, Mexico, court records show.


Distinction: Javier, right, and his brother Jordy, left, both served in the Marines before Javier Jr. became a Border Patrol Agent

A year later, on Oct. 25, 2008, he again entered the U.S by crossing the river. On Nov. 18, 2008, he was given 90 days in jail and another $10 special assessment fee.

On Dec. 15, 2009, Tijerina was indicted by a grand jury on charges of entering the U.S. illegally yet again.

The indictment says he 'had previously been denied admission, excluded, deported and removed, knowing and unlawfully was present in the United States having been found near Edinburg, Texas.'

Court records say he had not obtained permission from the U.S. attorney general and the secretary of homeland security to reapply for admission into the U.S.

A warrant was issued for his arrest stating he faced up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

He was held without bond on Jan. 26, 2010 and was given nine months in jail and fined $100.

Sources confirmed to Fox News that these cases involved the same Tijerina who is accused of slaying of Javier Vega.

The sources also said Hernandez, the second suspect, has been deported twice for entering the U.S. illegally.

These shocking revelations come at a time when the government is under intense scrutiny over its immigration policy and control of the U.S. border with Mexico.

President Obama faces a growing humanitarian crisis as more than 57,000 children have arrived unaccompanied at the border. Lawmakers have expressed concern that gang members and criminals have slipped in as authorities struggle to deal with the flood.

Obama has called on Congress to quickly approve his request for $3.7 billion in emergency funding to deal with the crisis amid calls from some Republicans to deploy the National Guard at the border.

Javier Vega's murder has sent shockwaves through the local community.

Yesterday Border Patrol's Chief Patrol Agent Kevin Oaks said: 'Words cannot express our sorrow for the loss of our brother, when we lose one of our own, it feels as if we've lost a beloved member of our own family.

'I wish to express to his family and friends my deepest condolences. May the peace that comes from the memories of the time you shared together, comfort you now and in the difficult days ahead.'

'The Kingsville Station is at a loss,'said Kingsville Station Acting Patrol Agent in Charge Arnold Perez.


Widow: Javier Jr. is survived by his wife Paola Vega and their three sons. The National Border Patrol Council has set up a memorial fund for them

'Not only did Javier strive to be the best agent and K-9 handler, but he also made it a point to develop and truly care about his friendships.'

The National Border Patrol Council has set up a memorial fund for Javier's widow and his three children.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...es-before.html