An illegal immigrant from Mexico suspected of killing his Utah girlfriend was deported in December and returned to Utah days before her body was recovered in Tuele.
Talia Benward, 31, of Kearns, was last seen at the Maverick store in West Jordan around 3:15 p.m. on New Year's Day. Authorities found her body in a remote area of Tuele, about a 45-minute drive from West Jordan.
The Greater Salt Lake Unified Police Department announced Sunday that Benward's boyfriend, Nestor Rocha Aguayo, 24, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was arrested on suspicion of Benward's disappearance and murder.
A spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told FOX News Digital that Aguayo Rocha is a Mexican national who has been deported from the United States twice.
House Republican bill would strip federal funds from states that give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants
Talia Benward, 31, of Kearns, was last seen at the Maverick store in West Jordan around 3:15 p.m. on New Year's Day. Authorities found her body in a remote area of Tuele, about a 45-minute drive from West Jordan. (Greater Salt Lake Unified Police Department)
He entered the country illegally on September 1, 2016 near Calexico, California. Years later, he was convicted of a local crime, and on Jan. 22, Operation Force personnel placed the detainee in the Salt Lake County Metro Jail in Utah. , 2024.
Four Torren de Aragua members arrested for trying to sneak across Texas border: Abbott
ERO authorities took him into custody on April 2, and immigration officials allowed him to leave the country voluntarily. He returned to Mexico on April 30th.
Rocha-Aguayo then illegally reentered the United States at an unknown date and location. In November, ERO officers encountered him at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail while he was being held on local charges.
The Greater Salt Lake Unified Police Department announced Sunday that Benward's boyfriend, Nestor Rocha Aguayo, 24, an illegal immigrant from Mexico's Sinaloa state, was arrested on suspicion of Benward's disappearance and murder. (Greater Salt Lake Unified Police Department)
ERO authorities again detained Rocha-Aguayo and returned him to Mexico on December 24.
“He reentered the United States for the third time without permission from an immigration official to enter the country,” an ICE spokesperson told FOX News Digital.
Venezuelan immigrant gang Torren de Aragua now active in 16 states: report
U.S. Marshals arrested Rocha-Aguayo on Jan. 5 on charges including aggravated murder, abuse or desecration of a deceased person, and aggravated robbery. ERO placed the detainee at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail the same day.
A spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told FOX News Digital that Rochaaguayo is a Mexican national who has been deported from the United States twice. (Greater Salt Lake Unified Police Department)
Surveillance camera footage shows Benward pulling into a Maverick gas station in a “borrowed” car on New Year's Day and Rocha-Aguayo getting into the passenger seat, at which point “the two of them started pointing at each other. 'and it appeared they were arguing,' according to obtained court documents. FOX 13 Salt Lake City.
After spending several hours together, the two drove to Tulare together, Benward's cell phone stopped tracking her location, and Rocha-Aguayo continued on to Salt Lake City, according to FOX 13. It is said that he headed back towards the area.
Venezuelan gang member involved in violent apartment takeover arrested in New York City
Detectives later found blood stains inside the car the couple were driving together. Remains of a floor mat that matched the floor mat in the car the couple were driving when they found Benward's body covered in sticks behind some bushes on a remote stretch of the interstate in Tuele. I also discovered.
U.S. Marshals arrested Rocha-Aguayo on Jan. 5 on charges including aggravated murder, abuse or desecration of a deceased person, and aggravated robbery. ERO placed the detainee at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail the same day. (Greater Salt Lake Unified Police Department)
His previous charges in the past year include robbery, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, two counts of possession with intent to distribute, failure to stop when ordered by a law enforcement officer, reckless driving and interfering with a peace officer, according to court documents. , police operations, etc. Breaking into a vehicle on an empty road, robbery, assault, and illegal detention.
Click to get the FOX News app
He was also involved in multiple domestic violence incidents with Benward.
Police are investigating Benward's death as a homicide and are asking anyone with information to call 801-840-4000. See case CO25-473. Tips can remain anonymous.
