2 days ago
Undocumented man to be deported after raping, strangling woman in Delaware County
DELAWARE COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – An undocumented immigrant who lived in Delaware County is being deported after admitting to raping and choking a woman after having been let out of another jail in New York State.
45-year-old Cruz Garcia, who had been living in Fleischmanns, pleaded guilty to strangulation Tuesday in Delaware County Court.
According to District Attorney Shawn Smith, Garcia was originally indicted for rape and unlawful imprisonment as well.
In July 2023, Garcia forcibly raped the victim and strangled her nearly to the point of losing consciousness.
That came just one month after Garcia had been arrested on felony DWI and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation charges in Orange County.
Garcia was released according to New York's bail reform laws despite already being wanted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to a third, unrelated, and unspecified criminal conviction.
Smith accepted the guilty plea in exchange for the time Garcia had already served since his indictment, with the understanding that Garcia would be deported from the country.
Smith criticized New York's bail reform law and thanked ICE for its cooperation in the case.
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Undocumented man to be deported after raping, strangling woman in Delaware County
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