SQUATTER GUATEMALANS: 3 undocumented immigrants arrested after woman sexually battered, deputies say

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3 undocumented immigrants arrested after woman sexually battered, deputies say​


Abduction occurred near John Prince Park, west of Lake Worth Beach

Three undocumented immigrants from Guatemala are accused of forcing a woman into a vehicle and sexually battering her at two locations just west of Lake Worth Beach, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.

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Three undocumented immigrants from Guatemala arrested. March 12, 2024.png






By: Allen Cone

Posted at 8:50 PM, Mar 12, 2024

and last updated 9:38 PM, Mar 12, 2024

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Three undocumented immigrants from Guatemala are accused of forcing a woman into a vehicle and sexually battering her at two locations just west of Lake Worth Beach, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.
This abduction occurred at 1 a.m. Monday in a residential area in the 5000 block of Lake Osborne Drive, which is near John Prince Park, just west of Interstate 95.

A woman was abducted near John Prince Park west of Lake Worth Beach and sexually battered, PBSO says. March 12, 2024

Matthew Kauerauf/WPTV
A woman was abducted near John Prince Park west of Lake Worth Beach and sexually battered, PBSO says.

"Thankfully, the victim was able to escape and flag down a passerby to help her," PBSO spokeswoman Teri Barbera said in a news release.
Barbera said she didn't have the two locations of the assault.
Andres Felipe Morales, 29; Darinel Ordonez Jjimenez, 30, and Marcos Felipe Ramirez, 31, were arrested and booked into the Palm Beach County jail around 7 p.m. Monday. During their first appearance Tuesday, bond was set at $200,000 for each one with their next court date set for 10:30 a.m. April 10.

Suspects are, from left, Andres Felipe Morale, Darinel Ordonez Jimenez, Marcos Felipe Ramirez. March 12, 2024

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
Suspects are, from left, Andres Felipe Morale, Darinel Ordonez Jimenez, Marcos Felipe Ramirez.

Felipe Morales is facing charges of sexual assault and false imprisonment and the others are being held on two counts of felony criminal conspiracy.

The arrest reports are not yet available on the county clerk website, including their residences.
Alyssa Suarez, who was picking up trash in the park, says it's usually as calm as the lake.

Alyssa Suarez, who was picking up trash in the park, said its usually quiet. March 12, 2024

Matthew Kauerauf/WPTV
Alyssa Suarez, who was picking up trash in the park, said its usually quiet.
"It’s really quiet. It’s really peaceful," she told WPTV reporter Ethan Stein.
Lauren Theesen said she worries now about her kids playing outside.

Lauren Theesen, who lives near the park says: “I didn’t hear anything. No sirens. No screams. No nothing. March 12, 2024

Matthew Kauerauf/WPTV
Lauren Theesen, who lives near the park says: “I didn’t hear anything. No sirens. No screams. No nothing."

"I didn’t hear anything. No sirens. No screams. No nothing," she said.
Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-458-TIPS. Tipsters can also remain anonymous.
 
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Arrested undocumented migrant previously cited for driving without license​


Andres Felipe Morales is 1 of 3 men facing charges


A man, who the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said is undocumented and accused of sexually battering a woman, was previously cited for driving without a license, according to court records.

By: Ethan Stein

Posted at 12:09 AM, Mar 14, 2024

and last updated 9:14 PM, Mar 13, 2024

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A man, who the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said is undocumented, was previously cited for driving without a license, according to court records.
Andres Felipe Morales is one of three men facing charges after the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office said he along with two other men kidnapped a woman and she was sexually battered by him. The sheriff's office said the other two men are facing charges related to the sexual battery, Darinel Ordonez Jimenez and Marcos Felipe Ramirez, and also are undocumented.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw speaks at a news conference on March 13, 2024.jpg

Sheriff says government putting 'people in jeopardy' with border security​



According to court records, a woman was walking to an Orion gas station on Second Avenue. Then, records say a white pickup truck with metal poles approached the woman before a man grabbed her from behind, put her in a chokehold and dragged her into the pick-up truck.

According to the detective from the sheriff's office, the group went to two locations before she escaped near Lake Osborne.
According to the sheriff's office, the three men facing charges related to the event are from Guatemala.

Suspects are, from left, Andres Felipe Morale, Darinel Ordonez Jimenez, Marcos Felipe Ramirez. March 12, 2024

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
Suspects are, from left, Andres Felipe Morale, Darinel Ordonez Jimenez, Marcos Felipe Ramirez.
Court records also show Morales was cited for driving without a license by the Palm Springs Police Department in January. WPTV reached out to the department late Wednesday about its policy for checking immigration status if a driver has never been issued a driver's license. We didn't receive a statement by publication.

Court records show the citation was “Nolle Prose," meaning the state attorney abandoned the charges. Court documents show the state agreed to abandon prosecution if the defendant provided or showed proof of paying $100 and obtaining a driver’s license, which is illegal for undocumented individuals. The charges were dropped after he paid $100 and successfully completed a diversion program.
Marc Freeman, who is a spokesperson for the State Attorney's Office in Palm Beach County, said the office wasn't aware of the man being undocumented and doesn't check for people it prosecutes.
Richard Hujber, who is an immigration attorney, said most law enforcement agencies don't regularly check immigration when they pull over drivers for traffic violations. He said the policy can differ by law enforcement agency, but it's usually a federal issue.

Richard Hujber, who is an immigration attorney, said most law enforcement agencies don't regularly check immigration status when drivers are pulled over for traffic violations. March 13, 2024

Caleb Holder/WPTV
Richard Hujber, who is an immigration attorney, said most law enforcement agencies don't regularly check immigration status when drivers are pulled over for traffic violations.
"The local police generally speaking look at immigration matter as a federal matter," Hujber said. "It's not generally within their jurisdiction to see if somebody is here with immigration status because there are so many levels of immigration status."
He said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement performs checks once somebody is within custody like a jail. But a department could lose resources quickly for arresting people without a driver's license because it would have to apply the law equally to all people rather than just people suspected of being undocumented.
"I don't think there's anywhere near the resources," Hujber said. “Especially after COVID (-19) where they started releasing and issue of spaces, etc. They don’t have the resources to hold people based on a traffic ticket."

He said departments could and have faced challenges in court for selectively arresting people suspicious of being undocumented individuals.
 
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