The Venezuelan migrant charged with murdering Laken Riley was waved through the US border and not required to check in with authorities until two years later, an investigation by The Post can reveal.
Jose Ibarra, 26 — now marked by authorities as part of the deadly El Tren Del Aragua gang, according to sources — was arrested for illegally crossing into the US in September 2022.
After less than 24 hours in custody, he was released on parole and given free rein in the US until October 2024, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement insiders.
Ibarra made his way to New York City where he appeared carefree, living in a shelter provided by the city and posting pictures of him smiling at Big Apple landmarks.
He was even arrested by police in the city but let go, before fleeing to Georgia to meet his allegedly violent brother who had also been allowed in the country but cut off an ankle monitor to evade authorities.
Here we break down Ibarra’s timeline in the US, highlighting shocking oversights at every level that allowed the now-alleged killer among ordinary citizens.
The case also highlights how violent and dangerous people have easily slipped under the radar by taking advantage of the Biden administration’s border policies, which have seen millions more arrive since Ibarra.
Ibarra is arrested by Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas after illegally crossing the border. He is accompanied by his girlfriend, Layling Franco, and her five-year-old son.
After less than 24 hours Ibarra is released on parole due to a lack of detention capacity, according to ICE records seen by The Post. He gives his destination address in New York as a homeless shelter and is instructed he will have to report to the agency in the city.
As The Post reported at the time, El Paso was being overrun, with more than 600 migrants arriving a day. El Paso was also paying for migrants to be bused from the city to New York, at that time with the blessing of Mayor Eric Adams.
Ibarra is issued a date to check in with ICE on October 24, 2024, according to records provided to The Post.
ICE in New York reschedule Ibarra’s appointment, pushing it back further, to December 13, 2024.
ICE do not have any notes indicating Ibarra ever checked in with the agency.
Ibarra files an asylum application and applies for a work permit.
Franco previously told The Post she and Ibarra “got married so we could join our asylum cases,” to increase their chances of success as a family unit.
Franco said Ibarra worked for DoorDash, Uber Eats, and a local restaurant at this time.
Ibarra is arrested by the NYPD and charged with riding a gas-powered moped with Franco’s son on the back without any head protection or restraint for the child. He
was released by the NYPD before ICE could issue a detainer for his arrest. His case with the NYPD was later sealed.
Franco and Ibarra split and he moves to Athens, Georgia, where he meets up with his brother, Diego, 29.
Diego had attempted to enter the country in April that year but was immediately deported. Less than a month later he had a fight with border officers as he attempted to re-enter the country, his arrest report states.
Despite a physical fight and attempting to bite an officer, Diego cut a deal with the feds and was amazingly allowed into the country with an ankle monitor. He
promptly cut the monitor off in Littleton, Colorado, according to the report, then went to Georgia.
Diego is arrested for driving under the influence and driving without a license in September.
In October both Diego and Ibarra are arrested for stealing from a Walmart store. A police report says over $200 worth of goods have been taken, including food, T-shirts, shorts, and a jacket.
In December warrants are issued for both brother’s arrest after they failed to report to cops.
During this time Diego also briefly works for the University of Georgia, giving a false green card as identification.
Promising nursing student Laken Riley fails to return home after going for a run near her campus.
Jose Ibarra is arrested and charged with concealing the death of another, false imprisonment, felony murder, malice murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery in connection with the death of Riley. Authorities use surveillance footage to put him at the crime scene, according to his arrest report.
The same day, Diego is approached by officers as he matches the same description as his brother. He is arrested after he hands police his fake green card. He faces up to 10 years in prison for using the false federal ID.
An arrest report for Diego Ibarra shows he has the distinctive tattoos of the Venezuelan El Tren de Aragua gang including a “five-point crown on the left side of his neck and a five-pointed stars on the right side of his neck,” according to documents filed Wednesday at the US Middle District of Georgia.
Social media pictures show him posing with guns and throwing gang signs.
Jose Ibarra is also listed as “an active member” of El Tren de Aragua, ICE sources told The Post.
Both men have yet to enter a plea for their respective cases.