U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aims to take custody of a Mexican citizen involved in a fatal incident in Nashville. Ulises Raigoza-Martinez, who entered the United States through Texas in 2021, has been sentenced to decades in prison after pleading guilty to several charges, including the murder of a restaurant owner.
Authorities say the case originated on June 19, 2024, in a Nashville parking lot. Raigoza-Martinez was allegedly attempting to steal tools from Matt Carney’s pickup truck when the confrontation occurred.
Tragic Incident
Matt Carney, owner of the Nashville restaurant Smokin’ Thighs, died on July 4, 2024, due to injuries sustained during the encounter. When Carney tried to stop the theft, Raigoza-Martinez reportedly drove into him, causing fatal injuries.
The police arrested Raigoza-Martinez on July 18, 2024. Two years later, he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including murder and theft, and received a 20-year prison sentence.
ICE Detainer Issued
The Department of Homeland Security has filed an immigration detainer, asking Tennessee officials to inform them prior to Raigoza-Martinez’s release. DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis emphasized the need for his removal from the country. She stated that Raigoza-Martinez should not have been in the United States to commit the crime.
If Tennessee honors the ICE detainer, federal officials plan to deport Raigoza-Martinez once he completes his sentence. They will initiate removal proceedings to ensure his departure from the U.S.
Reporter Brittany Miller contributed to this article. She graduated from Syracuse University in 2023 and previously reported for the Independent.