Senator taking action after NBC2 investigation

http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=11567112

Posted: Nov 24, 2009 3:42 PM EST
Updated: Nov 24, 2009 6:18 PM EST

NAPLES: Senator Bill Nelson is taking action after an NBC2 investigation questioned why an illegal immigrant, who allegedly committed a crime six years ago, has yet to be brought to justice.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers say Roman Saldarriaga hit and killed a Naples mother, Janelle Hail, and then fled to his home country of Colombia.

The NBC2 Investigators found Saldarriaga on the social networking site Facebook, smiling in his profile picture. That profile appears to have been taken down since our story aired earlier this month.

Tuesday, Senator Nelson explained he is now getting involved, calling the situation a "trauma in itself."

"That's enough to drive any mother into extreme agony. Our hearts go out to her for what she's going through," said Nelson.

Troopers we spoke to say Colombia won't extradite Saldarriaga and the State Attorney's Office has yet to file extradition paperwork.

Monday, Senator Nelson sent a letter to the State Attorney's Office asking them to revisit their policy when it comes to extradition requests.

"The long arm of the law should be able to reach out and bring him back to make him face the charges in a U.S. court," said Nelson.

Officials with the State Attorney's Office say they will extradite anyone who might be brought to justice in this jurisdiction.

Nelson also vowed to put pressure on other federal agencies to take action.

"I will use the full weight of our office to get the State Department and the Department of Justice to follow through on this," said Nelson.

Troopers say Colombia will extradite for drug cases, but not drunk driving cases.

"Well, we need to get them to change their laws," said Nelson.

Countries like Iran and Yemen won't extradite under any circumstances, Nelson says, but he believes Colombia will.

"Saldarriaga killed a young woman and the fact is- he was drunk. And the fact is, he is potentially guilty of manslaughter. He ought to be brought to justice," said Nelson.

Related Story

Illegal immigrant flees before arrest

http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=11536971

Posted: Nov 19, 2009 11:00 AM EST
Updated: Nov 20, 2009 6:16 PM EST

NAPLES: Six years ago, Janelle Hail’s life came to an end. Her mother remembers the knock at the door.

“I'll never forget the feeling. It felt like someone blew a cannon right through my stomach,â€