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From the Daily Mail: A group of migrant workers have been accused of looting properties in a flooded part of Tennessee after storm Helene tore through the southern state.
Deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrested all eight men on Saturday, according to Sheriff Keith Sexton.
Police say the men looted structures in one of the county’s flood zones.
Jesus Leodan Garcia-Peneda, 51, Josue Berardo Ortis-Valdez, 30, and Ersy Leonel Ortis-Valdez, 33, were all charged with burglary.
The other five – Albin Nahun Vega-Rapalo, 24, David Bairon Rapalo-Rapalo, 37, Kevin Noe Martinez-Lopez, 25, Marvin Hernandez-Martinez, 43, and Dayln Gabriel Guillen Guillen, 37 – were charged with aggravated burglary because they allegedly broke into occupied structures.
A sheriff department spokesperson reportedly told the New York Post that the group were all “migrant workers who are in the country legally on work visas.”
They are reportedly being held on $20,000 bonds, and were scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Eight men, all migrants, have been arrested for allegedly looting and burglarizing flood-ravaged victims in eastern Tennessee. https://t.co/gCHcce6a5e
— Andy Ngo 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) September 30, 2024
X user Calen Archer posted a video and explained, “Eight “migrants” have been arrested for looting and stealing from those in my area (East Tennessee) who have lost everything from the flooding. I believe I have raw footage from the ground of these men – who can be seen in the video.”
Eight “migrants” have been arrested for looting and stealing from those in my area (East Tennessee) who have lost everything from the flooding.
I believe I have raw footage from the ground of these men – who can be seen in the video.
Albin Nahun Vega-Rapalo, 24; David Bairon… https://t.co/2HY0WgbK6j pic.twitter.com/clC5wszfQH
— American Archer (@CalenArcher) September 30, 2024
Filmmaker and former congressional candidate Robby Starbuck of Tennessee warned, “Attention looters: Tennessee is NOT the place you want to loot. Consider these 8 “migrants” very lucky that law enforcement got to them first. Do not try to take advantage of our state or I promise you’ll deeply regret it. We are not the state to try.”
Attention looters: Tennessee is NOT the place you want to loot. Consider these 8 “migrants” very lucky that law enforcement got to them first. Do not try to take advantage of our state or I promise you’ll deeply regret it. We are not the state to try. pic.twitter.com/Qp9ec3Eg9o
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) September 30, 2024
Eight migrants arrested for burglarizing and looting towns torn apart by the floods in Tennessee.
Yet another reason why we need to immediately secure the border.
Import the third world, become the third world. pic.twitter.com/0aiCIectY8
— Turning Point Action (@TPAction_) September 30, 2024
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