ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — The brother of the man charged with killing a Georgia nursing student has been accused of presenting a fake green card to police as they investigated the woman’s death, according to federal authorities.
The brother of the man charged with killing a Georgia nursing student has been accused of presenting a fake green card to police as they investigated the woman’s death, according to federal authorities.
The brothers, Jose and Diego Ibarra, are from Venezuela, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia said in a news release.
Jose Ibarra, 26, was taken into custody for the slaying of 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley on Friday, police said. University of Georgia Police Chief Jeff Clark said Jose Ibarra is not a U.S. citizen, but he did not know Ibarra’s immigration status.
Diego Ibarra, 29, was arrested the same day for allegedly presenting a forged U.S. permanent resident card to investigators, the local U.S. Attorney’s office said. Local police had approached Diego Ibarra, who lives in Athens, while he walked down the street because he matched the suspect’s description.
Diego Ibarra had encountered U.S. border agents in April of last year near El Paso, Texas, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. He was processed for expedited removal but claimed a “credible fear of return to Venezuela.
