After arrests, two discovered to be undocumented immigrants in Steubenville
by Jessica HaberleyThursday, April 6th 2017
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio — Within the last week, two men in court on unrelated charges revealed they are undocumented immigrants.
On Tuesday, as their criminal cases progress, we're learning how officials are responding to their status.
An interpreter was brought in to assist in the proceedings. He took an oath, and special instructions were explained to the defendants.
In the first case, Guillermo Hernandez faces a felony charge, as he is accused of assaulting a woman, and holding a machete over her, at a S. 5th Street home in Steubenville.
He waived his preliminary hearing and his case was bound over to the grand jury.
The Department of Homeland Security has filed an immigration detainer against him, meaning after his case plays out locally, he'll be handed over to officials for the immigration process to play out.
“We haven't seen a lot of this, but I don't know if we're going to see more or not, but when these cases appear, we'll handle them according to law,” Prosecutor Steve Lamatrice said.
His bond was continued at $1 million, although he won't be released because of that immigration detainer.
Giovanni Fernandez-Ramirez
Fernandez-Ramirez faces a misdemeanor, as he’s accused of assaulting a woman in the 500 block of Laweson Ave.
He also admitted to being an undocumented immigrant.
The same interpreter assisted in his hearing, and an immigration detainer has been placed on him as well.
A trial date was set for April 17.
http://wtov9.com/news/local/after-ar...n-steubenville
Undocumented immigrant pleads guilty to assault, may be deported
by David SingerWednesday, April 19th 2017
HARRISON COUNTY, Ohio — An undocumented immigrant facing a charge of felonious assault was in court Wednesday, where he heard he may leave the country.
Police say Guillermo Hernandez slapped his girlfriend and held her down while threatening to slash her with a machete. The incident in late March took place in front of his seven children. After agreeing to plead guilty to assault, Hernandez asked the judge if he could see his kids before he would be deported.
"I have to think that there's a good chance that he can see his kids, but I'm in no position to guarantee it," Judge Joseph Bruzzese said.
As part of Hernandez's agreement to plead guilty to assault, he would not face jail time in Steubenville. He's instead being extradited to Columbus to face the charge in front of federal immigration authorities.
http://wtov9.com/news/local/undocume...ay-be-deported
