(NewsNation) — A man from Honduras accused of killing a Georgia woman entered the United States illegally and was initially arrested just over four years ago, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
David Hector Rivas-Sagastume, 21, has been charged with capital murder in the death of Camillia Williams, a 52-year-old mother of five and grandmother. Her body was found dumped in a wooded area, authorities said.
ICE has lodged an immigration detainer with the Cobb County Jail to ensure Rivas-Sagastume remains in custody for removal proceedings, according to WSB-TV.
Williams’ death comes as the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on illegal immigration, pledging more deportations and defining its controversial policy of sending hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members and other immigrants to an anti-terrorism prison in El Salvador.
DHS: Suspect crossed border illegally in 2021
The Department of Homeland Security said Rivas-Sagastume entered the U.S. illegally on March 17, 2021, and was subsequently arrested by Border Patrol agents. He was later issued a notice to appear in court, and a judge ordered his deportation on July 11, 2023.
Police allege that Rivas-Sagastume killed Willaims in a brutal attack late March 11 or early March 12, during which he placed her in a chokehold and then kneeled on her neck, applying his entire body weight, according to an arrest warrant obtained by WSB-TV.
Who was Camillia Williams?
Williams, originally from Louisiana, had recently moved to a suburb of Atlanta. Her family described her as a devoted mother of five.
While Willimas’ family has expressed a desire for Rivas-Sagastume to face the death penalty, they have opposed his deportation.
Williams’ death follows the killing of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University College of Nursing student. Riley went out for a run on Feb. 22, 2024, when she was encountered by Venezuelan immigrant Jose Antonio Ibarra, who killed her during a struggle, prosecutors said.
Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial and was found guilty in November of murder and other crimes by a judge, who alone heard and decided the case. He was sentenced to life without parole.
Gov. Brian Kemp vows full justice for violent criminals
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp took to social media Sunday and said people who commit violent acts against the state’s residents will face the “full weight of our justice system.”
“If they are here illegally, we will not hesitate to work with our federal partners to ensure their removal from our state and country,” he added.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, also commented on social media, claiming Williams’ murder was “completely avoidable” and could be attributed to “Democrats’ open border and cartel first policies.”
The DHS released a statement highlighting a commitment from President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to ensuring criminal illegal immigrants don’t remain on the streets.
While some say Williams’ death showcases the tragic results of more lenient border policies, a 2020 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that immigrants are 60% less likely to be incarcerated than people born in the U.S.
The Migration Policy argues that research shows immigrants do not increase crime rates in U.S. communities where they settle.
However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data revealed the number of crimes committed by migrants has risen. In 2024, 29 undocumented immigrants were charged with homicide, compared to three in 2017. Assault and battery charges also increased from 692 in 2017 to 1,084 in the past year.
Some studies indicate overall crime in the U.S. has risen since 2017.
