The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office on Friday confirmed the arrest of two illegal immigrants who were charged with firing at a moving vehicle during a road rage incident, causing damage to the vehicle but no injuries to its passengers, prompting Sheriff Mike Chapman to urge the federal government to improve border security.
In a press release, the sheriff’s office announced the arrests of Aldo Betancourth Rivera and Jimmy Paredes Madrid, who authorities described as, “both of Sterling and undocumented.”
Authorities further explain they began searching for the suspects on Tuesday night when deputies responded to a report of shots fired and established, “the suspects discharged a firearm at an occupied vehicle during an apparent road rage incident.” The sheriff’s office stated that the vehicle was damaged, but its passengers were uninjured.
Betancourth Rivera is charged with being involved in a second-degree shooting into an occupied vehicle, which the press release notes is a Class 4 Felony. In Virginia, those convicted of such a felony charge face a sentence of between two and 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Paredes Madrid, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, faces Class 4 Felony charges for allegedly shooting from a vehicle and shooting into an occupied vehicle but also faces a misdemeanor charge for allegedly brandishing his firearm.
Chapman (pictured above) called the crime “the latest example of a violent act committed by someone here illegally” and called for the federal government to step up its immigration enforcement.
“I am determined to do everything possible to protect the citizens of Loudoun County and will continue to press for greater immigration enforcement to keep illegal drugs, gangs, and violent criminals out of our nation,” stated Chapman.
The sheriff announced the latest arrest just weeks after an illegal immigrant was charged with raping a woman on a hiking trail in neighboring Fairfax County.
Following the arrest of Denis Humberto Navarette Romero, it was revealed the Honduran national was released from jail for an unrelated case just four days before the attack.
Governor Glenn Youngkin similarly issued a scathing statement but targeted Fairfax County for becoming a “sanctuary” where illegal immigrants will not be deported.
“This is a dereliction of their most basic duty to keep people safe,” Youngkin reportedly said. “Prioritizing violent illegal immigrants over the safety of Fairfax residents is unacceptable.”
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Background Photo “Crime Scene Tape” by Tony Webster. CC BY-SA 4.0.
