Illegal immigrant self-deports, avoids prosecution in trailer theft case
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. - Bobby Wallace showed up at the Jefferson County Courthouse on Monday expecting justice.
Instead, the 81-year-old found out the illegal immigrant accused of stealing his trailer is avoiding all felony prosecution and 12 years in prison, because he was flown home to Mexico, courtesy of the federal government, at taxpayer expense.
“Some of it does not make any sense,” said Wallace.
Outraged Jefferson County DA, Scott Storey agreed. “How can you understand this, it makes no sense?”
Damacio Torres-Ochoa, 32, was accused of stealing Wallace’s trailer from his Wheat Ridge home.
Wallace fired at the suspected thieves, and hit one in the head.
He was initially charged with attempted murder, while the admitted thieves were not initially charged with anything. Wallace pled guilty to attempted manslaughter and is on probation.
The DA says since the accused thief was here illegally and therefore a flight risk, they asked for a high bond, $100,000.
However, County Judge Thomas Vance reduced it to $27,500. Torres-Ochoa posted the lower bond and ICE took him into custody.
But per ICE policy, they allowed him to self-deport even though he was facing felony charges and prison time. On October 19, ICE flew him to El Paso and released him.
“I think it’s egregious,” Storey said. “It’s almost like they’re compliant in him escaping from justice.”
FOX31 News asked Judge Vance why he lowered the bond, but the Judge says he cannot comment. Storey says it happens all the time.
He says for the past three years, he’s tried to convince judges not to lower bonds in the cases of illegal immigrants.
He says he’s also tried to talk to ICE about their policy.
Storey says the Colorado Legislature also shares some blame in these cases. He says in 2007, lawmakers passed a bill that lets bail bondsmen off the hook when illegal immigrants flee the country.
Storey speculates it’s only a matter of time before Torres-Ochoa illegally re-enters the US.
“My guess is he comes back and he comes back under another alias and we haven’t got justice here".
Instead, the 81-year-old found out the illegal immigrant accused of stealing his trailer is avoiding all felony prosecution and 12 years in prison, because he was flown home to Mexico, courtesy of the federal government, at taxpayer expense.
“Some of it does not make any sense,” said Wallace.
Outraged Jefferson County DA, Scott Storey agreed. “How can you understand this, it makes no sense?”
Damacio Torres-Ochoa, 32, was accused of stealing Wallace’s trailer from his Wheat Ridge home.
Wallace fired at the suspected thieves, and hit one in the head.
He was initially charged with attempted murder, while the admitted thieves were not initially charged with anything. Wallace pled guilty to attempted manslaughter and is on probation.
The DA says since the accused thief was here illegally and therefore a flight risk, they asked for a high bond, $100,000.
However, County Judge Thomas Vance reduced it to $27,500. Torres-Ochoa posted the lower bond and ICE took him into custody.
But per ICE policy, they allowed him to self-deport even though he was facing felony charges and prison time. On October 19, ICE flew him to El Paso and released him.
“I think it’s egregious,” Storey said. “It’s almost like they’re compliant in him escaping from justice.”
FOX31 News asked Judge Vance why he lowered the bond, but the Judge says he cannot comment. Storey says it happens all the time.
He says for the past three years, he’s tried to convince judges not to lower bonds in the cases of illegal immigrants.
He says he’s also tried to talk to ICE about their policy.
Storey says the Colorado Legislature also shares some blame in these cases. He says in 2007, lawmakers passed a bill that lets bail bondsmen off the hook when illegal immigrants flee the country.
Storey speculates it’s only a matter of time before Torres-Ochoa illegally re-enters the US.
“My guess is he comes back and he comes back under another alias and we haven’t got justice here".
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