June 3, 2010

Officials say man in South Bend accused of murder is in U.S. illegally
By KRISTIN BIEN
WSBT-TV Reporter

SOUTH BEND — The man accused of beating his roommate to death with a baseball bat and throwing his body in the St. Joseph River was in the United States Illegally.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials told WSBT News that both the suspect, 30-year old Rios Baltazar (also know as "Elex" and "Chino"), and the victim, Miguel Rivera, were illegal immigrants. In fact, Rivera was even deported in 2004.

Baltazar is facing murder charges in the case. But federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say they placed a detainer on him. That means he shouldn't be released from police custody unless it is to immigration officials.

Baltazar's ex-girlfriend told WSBT that he is from Acapulco, Mexico. WSBT can't confirm that information, but the St Joseph County Prosecutor's Office says if convicted, Baltazar will serve out his sentence here in the U.S. and then be deported back to Mexico.

It is not known how the two men met or how long they had known each other. They lived together in the house on East Bowman Street in South Bend.

Baltazar remains in jail. An initial court date has been set for 8 a.m. Wednesday.

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