Guatemalan illegal immigrant suspect kill a police officer He was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody last year.
Virgilio Aguilar Mendez, 19, was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a police officer after a scuffle involving several people. law enforcement officer In May 2023.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Michael Kunovich died in the incident, but charges against Mendez were dropped last month.
On Friday, Aguilar Mendez’s attorney, Philippe Arroyo, shared a TikTok video showing the moment Mendez was released from prison for the first time since May 2023. The video shows the boy smiling and nodding as he walks toward the camera and talks to Arroyo.
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Virgilio Aguilar Mendez, 19, will be released from custody on Friday accompanied by his lawyer. (tick-tock)
“Virgilio Aguilar is finally free! God is great,” Arroyo wrote in the caption in Spanish.
The release came 10 months after Kunovich, 52, collapsed in “medical distress” during an encounter with then-18-year-old Aguilar Mendez. The police officer later died.
According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Kunovich initially approached Aguilar-Mendez around 9 p.m. on May 19, suspecting a crime. Aguilar Mendez then continued to walk away from the deputy.
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“Aguilar Mendez was walking on a public sidewalk and talking to his mother. It’s not a crime.” The lawsuit states: “When Sergeant Kunovich grabbed Aguilar Mendez, he stopped and made no attempt to run away.”
Officers pursued Aguilar Mendez, who apologized in English, then continued to resist arrest.
The immigrant became confused and allegedly told the deputy, “I’m sorry, I can’t speak, I don’t speak English.”
Sheriff Robert Hardwick said at the time that other deputies, including one who spoke Spanish, returned fire, and officers taped the immigrant and threw him to the ground.
Defense attorney Jose Baez joined Aguilar Mendez’s defense. (Media News Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
The sheriff’s office said deputies attempted to detain Aguilar Mendez, who was resisting arrest.
At that time, the legislators handcuffed immigrants, but he manages to get a small pocket knife. Authorities have not said whether the migrants tried to use a weapon.
The scuffle was recorded on the officers’ body cameras, and lawyers say the video is evidence that the immigrants do not understand or speak English.
Aguilar Mendez lawyer Jose Baez The client claimed that he was confused and did not understand the purpose or reason for the officers to pile on him, physically strike him multiple times, and for the sergeant to repeatedly use a Taser on him. Kunovich.
The lawsuit brought by Mr. Baez claims that another defendant’s attorney, Lt. Jose Jimenez, did not inform Mr. Aguilar Mendez about him. miranda rights Or try to hire an interpreter for him.
The 7th District State Attorney’s Office agreed and issued a statement.
“Recent expert testimony regarding the defendant’s inability to understand English, his cultural background, and concerns about his intellectual capacity raise important issues to consider in this case,” the state attorney’s office said in a statement. .
Sergeant Michael Kunovich was a 25-year veteran of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. (St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook)
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“Furthermore, based on the court’s recent ruling that defendant lacks the capacity to proceed based on expert testimony, dismissal of the charges is appropriate. Arrest and time served are sufficient.”
Mr. Kunovich is a 25-year veteran of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and Sheriff Hardwick described him as a “valuable member of the St. Johns County Department who has passionately dedicated his career to keeping the community safe.” “A great member.”
FOX News’ Lawrence Richard contributed to this report.
