Thread: Man charged with murder in VB seeking asylum from Nicaragua |Juelle Morton

Man charged with murder in VB says he’s here seeking asylum from Nicaragua

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news...rom-nicaragua/

By: Brett Hall
Posted: Oct 3, 2025 / 02:34 AM EDT
Updated: Oct 4, 2025 / 03:26 AM EDT

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A man charged with murdering a 20-year-old outside a nightclub has also been accused of being in the United States illegally, according to court paperwork.

Cesar Bermudez Evans, 21, currently sits without bail at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center after being arrested Saturday on charges of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Bermudez Evans shot and killed Juelle Morton outside of Central 111 Tapas Lounge at Renaissance Place shopping center shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday, according to Virginia Beach Police.

However, after being booked into the jail, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement promptly issued a detainer for Bermudez Evans, according to a Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.

Bermudez Evans is a citizen of Nicaragua and was part of an inadmissible alien proceeding last year.

“I want people out there to know I’m not really what people out there are painting me to be,” Bermudez Evans said through a translator during an interview from jail.

Bermudez Evans admitted he did go to the “club” on the night of Sept. 26. There are two located at the shopping center.

But Bermudez Evans was in a car in the parking lot before the crime occurred, according to a criminal complaint.

Video recovered by detectives show him then exiting the vehicle, approaching Juelle Morton of Newport News, shooting Morton multiple times and then leaving the scene.

Bermudez Evans wouldn’t go into details “without his attorney,” but said he is aware his actions are on video.

“I cant say much, but I was punched and I wasn’t in perfect conditions,” Bermudez Evans said. “I wasn’t 100% aware of what I was doing in that moment, but for the people that think I did it just because, … I am offering my sincerest apologies to the family, to the general public, .. but everything has an explanation. Every action has a reaction.”

Bermudez Evans has only been in the region for two months, has worked construction work “under [the] table” and his mother lives in a neighboring city, according to a bail determination sheet filed with the court.

While he didn’t clarify how long he has been in the country, he explained he I arrived to the United States from Nicaragua “following a trip” and said that “he is going through the asylum process.”

However earlier this year, the Trump Administration ended temporary protected status for thousands from Nicaragua, citing “improved conditions” in the country.

Trump administration ends protections from deportation for Honduras, Nicaragua

The Department of Homeland Security didn’t immediately respond to inquiries about Bermudez Evans’ status. But they will again be in contact with Bermudez Evans.

“When an individual is taken into VBSO custody and identified as not being born in the United States or a U.S. territory, ICE is promptly notified,” said Toni Guagenti, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office. “If ICE deems necessary, a detainer will be issued. If a detainer is issued, after all state and local charges are satisfied, the inmate would be released to ICE custody.”