Thread: Illegal immigrant murders other illegal in Florida

Actually this has two stories. The murder is new the dog story was posted in another thread.

http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/editorials/ar ... 45,00.html

Editorial: Stuart News thumbs up, thumbs down
Story Tools
July 1, 2006


THUMBS DOWN:

'ILLEGAL' CRIME: Two heinous crimes, allegedly committed by illegal aliens, highlighted the glaring gaps in our immigration system — and the risks to people and dogs on the Treasure Coast.

Hernan Cortes, 32, of Fellsmere, was arrested in St. Lucie County and charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of another presumed illegal immigrant, whose identity remains unknown. A week after the shooting, authorities still couldn't confirm Cortes' immigration status either. Finally, on June 22, federal officials slapped a "detainer" on him, meaning he is subject to deportation...after the courts are done with him.

Meantime, in Stuart, Junio Trenta, 31, of Indiantown, was arrested and charged with having intercourse with a dog in the woods off Dixie Highway. This wasn't Trenta's first bust; he spent 28 days in jail last year after pleading no contest to an Orange County misdemeanor larceny charge.

The way the system works — or is supposed to work — is for immigration authorities to lock down illegal aliens charged with felonies. Apparently, Trenta's 2005 misdemeanor didn't merit anyone's attention, as he was free to traipse down to the Treasure Coast. Ditto for Cortes, who said he's lived in Fellsmere for the past nine years.

The men's alleged crimes may be sensational, but their treatment is far from unusual. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement admits that it checks the legal status of only about six of 10 immigrants who commit crimes serious enough to land them in prison.

And plenty of them are behind bars. In 2004, the latest year for which figures are available, local jails and state prisons housed 12,449 illegal aliens around Florida. The U.S. Justice Department reported 270,000 illegals were incarcerated for various crimes in this country.

http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/local_news/ar ... 28,00.html



Police still seeking suspect in Fellsmere slaying

By ADAM L. NEAL
adam.neal@scripps.com
June 15, 2006
FELLSMERE — There still are more questions than answers surrounding a stabbing incident that left a man dead four days ago in the first block of South Pine Street, officials said Wednesday.
Investigators continue to try to determine the identity of the man stabbed with a knife in his torso. They hope family or friends will come forward with more information.

They also still are looking for his alleged killer, identified by police as 32-year-old Hernan Cortes, who also goes by the name Heinan Cortez.
But one thing's for sure — investigators won't discontinue the investigation until Cortes is apprehended, according to Fellsmere Police Chief Scott Melanson.

"We continue to follow up on leads," he said. "He's still out there, but we will find him."

A warrant for Cortes' arrest was issued Wednesday on a charge of first-degree murder, according to Melanson. Police allege Cortes used a knife to stab a man talking on a pay phone about 7:20 p.m. Sunday in the first block of South Pine Street.

The attack may have been in retaliation from an earlier altercation between the men, according to reports. Police would not elaborate on any earlier incident between them.

The victim, known to witnesses only as Carlos, was flown to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne and later died from his injury, according to a Sheriff's Office report.

The identification the man had on him during the attack was fake, Melanson said. The Fellsmere Police Department is running his fingerprints through state and national databases to see if they can determine his real identity.

So far, investigators haven't had any hits.

"We can't say if (the victim) is legal or illegal right now," Melanson said about the man's citizenship. "Typically, people only hide their identities because they don't want to be located or are illegal. We can't say either one is correct right now."

Cortes was seen a few hours after the stabbing near County Road 512 and Pine Street, reports stated. He is described as about 5 feet 6 inches tall, 140 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. His right arm has a deformity, according to a police report.

WANTED

• Hernan Cortes, who police say also goes by the name Heinan Cortez, is wanted in connection with the stabbing death of a man on Sunday in Fellsmere. Anyone with information about the incident or knows of Cortes' whereabouts can call 911, the Fellsmere Police Department at (772) 571-1360 or Treasure Coast CrimeStoppers at (800) 273-TIPS (8477). Callers can stay anonymous. Information may be worth up to a $1,000 reward.

I''m sorry, but the man in the picture in Brian's posting above does not look like a good-hearted, hard working person looking to improve his life in America. He looks like one of those typical illegal immigrant dirt-bags not willing to assimilate. However, he does look like someone without allegiance to no one.