DOJ Targets NY Sheriff for Releasing Violent Illegal Alien

Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove III slammed Sheriff Derek Osborne for freeing Jesus Romero-Hernandez.

This is an illegal alien that was deported six times and has a federal warrant.

But Osborne didn’t feel like following the law so he just let this violent illegal alien go.

So, federal agents had to step in and track him down.

Which means they were risking their safety.

The U.S. Attorney is now weighing prosecution.

Not following the law, and under President Trump’s watch, is not a smart move. And it won’t be overlooked.

Tompkins County NY Sheriff Derek Osborne is a DISGRACE. Releasing Migrants who entered the country illegally multiple times, have been arrested on local charges and have Federal Arrest Warrant – gets you that moniker. Shame on him. His job is to enforce the law and he is not… pic.twitter.com/O6KZOJySYJ

— Mike Wangler (@mike_wangler) February 1, 2025

ICE was able to arrest the illegal alien that Osborne released.

Gooing out on a limb here that what Sheriff Derek R. Osborne and Undersheriff Jennifer K. Olin means by "deterrence of crime, apprehension of offenders" does not include illegal alien criminals. https://t.co/sOnXSL8VzZ pic.twitter.com/UQjaIiUfci

— David Webb (@davidwebbshow) February 3, 2025

But maybe the illegal alien gave the sheriff a pinky promise that he’d be on his best behavior.

Fox News reports:

As the Trump administration ramps up its promise to deport illegal immigrants, the acting U.S. deputy attorney general turned his attention to an upstate New York sheriff who released a criminal migrant back on the streets.

Emil Bove III, a former member of President Donald Trump’s personal legal team who was named acting deputy attorney general last week, said that the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York was looking into the “failure” of Tompkins County Sheriff Derek Osborne, a Democrat.

“Yesterday, despite the warrant, a defendant with no legal status and a history of violence was released into the community,” Bove said in a release on Thursday, Jan. 30. “Federal agents risked their safety and pursued the defendant in unsafe conditions.”

Bove noted “the U.S. Attorney’s commitment to investigate these circumstances for potential prosecution,” shining a spotlight on the nationwide battle between federal agencies and local sanctuary policies, which have been embraced by the city of Ithaca, the seat of Tompkins County.

Ithaca is also home to Cornell University, bringing student safety to the forefront as border crossings during former President Biden’s tenure became a national issue.

Blame game: Feds and New York sheriff spar
Jesus Romero-Hernandez, a 27-year-old Mexican citizen, was previously removed from the United States six times between July and September 2016, according to a complaint viewed by Fox News Digital.

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Romero pleaded guilty to a New York state assault charge last month and was sentenced to time served. However, on Jan. 28, the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office released him despite a federal arrest warrant that was signed by a magistrate judge.

On Jan. 30, Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended Romero with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the DOJ said.

“The Justice Department will not tolerate actions that endanger law enforcement and make their jobs harder than they already are, as they work to protect us all,” Bove said.

Julie Kelly on X writes:

Sanctuary cities in the “FO” stage of “FA” of Trump DOJ’s immigration enforcement operation. I believe this is the 1st time an illegal–who reportedly re-entered the US FIVE TIMES then committed at least one other crime here–was arrested by the feds after a NY sheriff released him and refused to honor a federal warrant for his arrest. Acting deputy AG Emil Bove indicates those officials who refused to enforce the federal warrant–which may include Tompkins County Sheriff Derek Osborne–are under investigation and could face federal charges themselves. Outstanding. These lawless “sanctuary city” Democrats making their own communities unsafe need to be held liable for their actions.

Sanctuary cities in the "FO" stage of "FA" of Trump DOJ's immigration enforcement operation.

I believe this is the 1st time an illegal–who reportedly re-entered the US FIVE TIMES then committed at least one other crime here–was arrested by the feds after a NY sheriff released… pic.twitter.com/85DsVPfQ3N

— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) January 30, 2025