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Last updated: June 01. 2005 12:00AM
Wilmington Star-News

Migrant worker charged in killing

By Majsan Boström
Staff Writer

A farmhand found the body of a 34-year-old migrant worker in a shallow grave Thursday afternoon in the Ash community in southwest Brunswick County.

Avelino Augustin Peña, 45, who was the victim’s roommate at a migrant camp in Ash, has been charged with homicide, Brunswick County Sheriff’s deputies said. Mr. Peña, who made his first appearance in court Tuesday morning, is being held without bail in Brunswick County jail.

"He’s been charged with first-degree murder for the killing of another Mexican migrant worker," Assistant District Attorney Lee Bollinger said.

The victim, Mauricio Guerro, worked in the tobacco fields of an Ash farm and lived with Mr. Peña at 5999 Old King Road, according to a Sheriff’s Office press release.

Details of how long Mr. Guerro had been dead were not made available by Brunswick County deputies Tuesday evening.

The cause of death was multiple stab wounds, deputies said after receiving a preliminary autopsy report from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Mr. Peña admitted to being an illegal immigrant, court officials said. Investigators are still trying to determine what prompted the stabbing.

There is no indication the homicide is gang-related, Mr. Bollinger said.

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for June 17 in Brunswick County court.