http://www.newschannel5.com/content/news/21562.asp


Recent Murder Raises Immigration Questions
Posted: 8/23/2006 4:13:00 PM
Updated: 8/23/2006 4:22:30 PM

The city's latest murder has drawn attention to a problem that extends beyond the country’s borders.

Metro Police believe the man who killed a Bellevue woman is in the country illegally.

The crime has shocked the Bellevue community. Some community members said it was crime that never should've happened.

Some local authorities want to change the way undocumented criminals are processed in Nashville.

Metro police have no way of keeping track of how many crimes are committed by undocumented immigrants, but it may be a surprise to know how many Metro jail inmates have been placed on the INS hold list.

It's believed Moreno has been living in the country illegally.

Earlier this month, Julio Villasana was charged with vehicular homicide. Police believe Villasana was in the country illegally, as well.

In June, Gustavo Reyes was charged with vehicular homicide and police said Reyes, also an undocumented worker was responsible.

In April, a mother and daughter were brutally murdered inside their South Nashville home, and the suspect is Jose Sosa, an undocumented immigrant.

So far in 2006, 157 metro jail inmates have been placed on INS hold, which means the inmates were in the country illegally. The number of illegal criminals has fluctuated.

Metro Police, the Davidson County Sheriff's Department and the district attorney's office are developing a plan to change the way criminal immigrants are processed in Nashville. They haven’t said. much about the plan, but it's plan to help keep families safe.

Resident Paul Woods would welcome a crack down on undocumented workers, but he said it comes a little too late.

"I'm hoping that the police department everybody starts to step up and do what should be done, should have been done years ago," Woods said.

Moreno is being held without bond while authorities are investigating his status.

Officers initially tried to arrest Moreno on a domestic assault warrant, but he resisted. They said Moreno became violent, kicking and even trying to bite one officer.

Police said they found some of the Sadler's belongings in Moreno's apartment, and that robbery may have been his motive for the crime.