http://wfmz.com/view/?id=43140


Illegal Immigrant Charged with Attempted Homicide in Easton
POSTED: 01-01-2007 11:16 AM ET
MODIFIED: 01-01-2007 11:16 AM ET
Easton police have charged an illegal immigrant with attempted homicide. Juan Carlos Benevidas-Yanes of El Salvador is charged with a Saturday night attack on Miguel Hernandez behind a building in the 600 block of Northampton Street. Police say the victim was struck in the head with a brick or similar object causing life-threatening injuries. The suspect was arrested without incident yesterday. He is being held in Northampton County Prison on $200,000 bail. Police have not yet been able to speak with the victim who remains hospitalized. Witnesses saw two persons running from the scene. Federal immigration authorities are holding a second person. It is not known if he is connected to the attempted homicide.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/ ... easton-hed


January 2, 2007
Salvadoran man charged in assault
Suspect, thought to be an illegal immigrant, allegedly beat victim in Easton on Saturday and left him seriously hurt.
An El Salvador man who allegedly hit a man in the head with a brick Saturday night in Easton has been charged with attempted homicide, police said.

Juan Carlos Benevidas-Yanes — also known as Juan Yanes, Carlos Yanes and Carlos Benevidas — was arrested at 713 Spring Garden St. on Sunday afternoon, police said. Police said he is about 30 years old and has admitted being in the country illegally.

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Benevidas-Yanes hit Miguel Hernandez, no age available — also known as Miguel Ocasio-Ortiz and Julio Castillo Ricardo — with a brick or similar object in the head, causing life-threatening injuries, police said.

Hernandez was found bleeding from the head at the back of 644-646 Northampton St. about 9 p.m. on Saturday, police said.

Police said they have not been able to interview Hernandez, who is being treated at a hospital they did not identify.

Benevidas-Yanes was sent to Northampton County Prison under $200,000 bail, police said.

Another man, Martin Benitez-Reyes, was detained in the county prison by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in connection with the beating, police said.

Police said they believe two men were involved in the attack on Hernandez but they said they were unable to determine if Benitez-Reyes was present when the attack occurred.

Police said the motive is unknown.

The Spring Garden Street address where Benevidas-Yanes was picked up also is the site of a fatal shooting of a city teen last February. Clarence J. Edwards, 16, died after he was shot in front of the house on Feb. 8. Qu'eed Batts, then 14, confessed to the shooting as part of a gang rite.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, who has gained a measure of national renown for crackdowns against illegal immigrants, said the case reaffirms his contention that many such immigrants are criminals.

''This is why I am trying to assure the county doesn't become a safe haven for illegal immigrants,'' he said.

''We'll be seeking a conviction first, a long jail sentence next and deportation third.''