Latest news with #MaikelPerozo
Fox News
4 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Illegal aliens arrested in death of Air Force cadet candidate had suitcases packed: report
Packed suitcases were found during the arrests of two illegal aliens charged in the death of an Air Force cadet candidate over the weekend. Over Memorial Day weekend, 18-year-old Ava Moore was killed while kayaking on Lake Grapevine in Texas after she was hit by a jet ski. The suspected driver of the jet ski and a man who allegedly helped her flee, both illegal aliens from Venezuela, were arrested in Dallas Tuesday. Daikerlyn Alejandraa Gonzalez-Gonzalez, 22, was charged with second-degree manslaughter, a felony. Maikel Coello Perozo, 21, is accused of picking her up and fleeing. Authorities allege Perozo hit another vehicle while speeding off. He has been charged with a collision involving damage to a vehicle and hindering apprehension, both misdemeanors. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by FOX 4, the suspects were found with their bags packed at the time of their arrests. Perozo reportedly told police he helped Gonzalez flee so she could avoid being captured. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department led the investigation. President Donald Trump's Department of Homeland Security on Thursday slammed the previous administration for open-border policies it says led to the death of the Air Force cadet candidate. "Ava Moore was a patriot serving her country when she was killed by an illegal alien in a hit-and-run over Memorial Day weekend. This senseless tragedy was 100 percent preventable," DHS said in a post on X. "Daikerlyn Gonzalez and Maikel Perozo entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 and were released into our interior," the post continued. "The previous administration's open border policies have cost too many Americans their lives. President Trump and Secretary Noem will continue to stand with victims of illegal alien crime and their families." At a news conference Wednesday, Joshua Johnson, acting field director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Emergency Removal Operations in Dallas, first confirmed the pair were present in the United States illegally. "It's my understanding that both the individuals crossed the southern border in 2023 or 2024," Johnson said. "They were arrested at the time of entry, processed on a notice to appear and then released on their own recognizance." He said ICE filed detainers for the suspects, and they will be processed for removal after criminal proceedings are concluded in Texas. Moore was remembered as a star basketball player whose lifelong dream was to be a four-star general in the military, according to her coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School in Colorado. "You know, we talked throughout the course of the year that, at some point in her career, she was going to be a four-star general because she loved it," Ke'sha Blanton told FOX 4. "She made those around her better. "They took a bright, bright star from our lives." Moore was scheduled to begin as an Air Force cadet in the upcoming weeks and was part of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2029, the school confirmed.
Telegraph
5 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Texas governor threatens illegal migrants with death penalty after fatal hit and run
Two illegal migrants suspected of killing a US soldier in a jet ski crash over memorial day weekend have been threatened with the death penalty. Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, threatened the pair with the death penalty after they were arrested on suspicion of taking part in a jet ski hit and run that killed a US air force recruit. 'Welcome to Texas. Here's your death penalty,' the Republican captioned a news reel of the incident on X. Ava Lake, 18, died on Sunday after she was hit by a jet ski while out kayaking on Grapevine Lake, North Texas. Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez and Maikel Perozo, both 21, were arrested on Tuesday following a standoff with law enforcement at their home near Dallas, Fox 4 reported. Ms Gonzelez was allegedly driving a jet ski with another woman when they crashed into Moore, after which she is accused of fleeing the scene with Mr Perozo in a blue Toyota Corolla, knocking into two other vehicles as they tried to get away. Both suspects then allegedly ran from the scene. The jet ski passenger remained at the scene where she was interviewed by police. Witnesses told law enforcement that the jet ski made several 'reckless' manoeuvres at high speed before crashing into Moore, who was in the process of steering away, according to an arrest warrant seen by Fox4. Bystanders allegedly tried to restrain the suspects before they got into their car escape. Ms Gonzalez, from Venezuela, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter, with her bond set at $500,000. Mr Perozo was also charged with an accident involving injury, and more charges are expected on Wednesday. Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, said that both suspects were in the country illegally, which the acting head of the ICE Dallas Field Office confirmed, according to reports. 'Ava Moore's senseless death was caused by an illegal alien who should have never been in our country in the first place,' Mr Paxton said. 'My heart breaks for Ava's family and friends, and my prayers are with them as they face this tragedy.' Tributes pour in Tributes have poured in for Moore, who had recently graduated from the US Air Force Academy Preparatory School and was set to commence basic training. On the day of the crash, she was visiting her parents in North Texas, Fox 4 reported. 'We lost an exemplary teammate this weekend – Cadet Candidate Ava Moore, whose passion for leadership and service left an impact on everyone she met,' US air force academy superintendent Lt Gen Tony Bauernfeind said in a statement. 'Her constant happiness and attitude helped her squadron get through the challenges of the Prep School, and her drive to excel was on display as she sought out leadership positions to improve herself and her team.' Ms Gonzalez is not currently charged with a capital offence and is therefore not eligible for the death penalty. Under Texas law, the death penalty only applies to certain capital felonies, defined as 'an individual intentionally or knowingly causing the death of an individual'.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Illegal migrants arrested following death of Air Force recruit in hit-and-run jet ski accident
Two suspects, both believed to be illegal immigrants, have been arrested following a fatal hit-and-run jet ski crash on Grapevine Lake in Texas that claimed the life of a teenage Air Force recruit. Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, 21, and Maikel Coello Perozo, 21, were taken into custody on Tuesday after allegedly fleeing the scene of a jet ski collision that killed 18-year-old Ava Moore. According to her arrest affidavit, Gonzalez, a Venezuelan national, has been charged with second-degree felony manslaughter. Her bond is set at $500,000, Fox4 reported. Police believe Perozo, Gonzalez's accomplice, was driving a blue Toyota Corolla used in their escape from the fatal scene. While helping her flee, Perozo reportedly crashed into two vehicles before both suspects abandoned the car and ran. Perozo is currently charged with an accident involving a collision, with another charge expected tomorrow. Investigators say Gonzalez, the suspected jet ski driver, fled the crash site without offering aid and she was later identified with help from a passenger who remained at the scene. Police then circulated photos of Gonzalez taken at the lake, which ultimately led to the arrests of both suspects after a multi-agency manhunt involving Dallas officers, Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to the New York Post. Law enforcement used drones to look into the windows of the suspects' hideout before they surrendered. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has since confirmed that both Gonzalez and Perozo were in the US illegally. 'We are thankful for the help of fellow law enforcement officers from the Texas Attorney General's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Dallas Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations,' the Texas Game Wardens said on social media. 'Ava Moore's senseless death was caused by an illegal alien who should have never been in our country in the first place. My heart breaks for Ava's family and friends, and my prayers are with them as they face this tragedy,' Paxton said. Moore, a recent graduate of Timber Creek High School and a student at the Air Force Preparatory School in Colorado Springs, was kayaking near Oak Grove Park on Sunday evening when she was violently struck by a speeding jet ski. Moore had been set to begin basic training in the fall and was remembered as a dedicated athlete and honors student Emergency responders found her unconscious with severe head trauma as bystanders and first responders attempted life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, the 18-year-old Air Force recruit was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Moore had been set to begin basic training in the fall and was remembered as a dedicated athlete and honors student. A GoFundMe launched to support her grieving family has surpassed its $20,000 goal, raising over $30,000 as of Wednesday morning. As the investigation continues, local officials are calling for stronger water safety enforcement and increased accountability on Texas lakes during peak holiday weekends.
