Local authorities have filed severe charges against an illegal migrant who was previously released into the United States by the Biden administration. This individual, David Hector Rivas-Sagastume, a Honduran national, is accused of the brutal murder of a Georgia mother of five.
The case has sparked outrage, as he is currently detained in a jurisdiction that has reduced cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Rivas-Sagastume entered the United States illegally in March 2021 and was initially apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol. Despite being issued a notice to appear, he was paroled into the country by the previous administration. A judge ordered his removal in July 2023, but in March 2025, he was arrested again for capital murder and other crimes.
The local police in Cobb County, Georgia, arrested him for the death of 52-year-old Camillia Williams, a mother and grandmother. It is alleged that he placed Williams in a chokehold, rendering her unconscious, and then fatally pressed his knees and body weight onto her neck. Williams’ family reported her concerns about a man following her days before her tragic death.
David Hector Rivas-Sagastume is also facing additional charges including rape, necrophilia, malice murder, and aggravated assault.
An arrest report confirms that an immigration detainer was placed on him the day he was taken into custody. He was listed as unemployed and residing in the Jacksonville, Florida area at the time.
This case highlights significant changes in Cobb County’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. After a Democratic sheriff took office in November 2020, the county ended a 287(g) agreement with ICE, which had been in place since 2007 to facilitate cooperation. Sheriff Craig Owens stated that the decision aimed to restore trust with immigrant communities.
The 287(g) program allows local and state law enforcement officers to be deputized with certain immigration authorities. ICE argues that these agreements enhance public safety by identifying and removing criminal illegal migrants. Studies suggest that ending such agreements leads to fewer illegal migrants being handed over to ICE.
An investigation in nearby Gwinnett County revealed a sharp decline in ICE holds on illegal migrants after a similar agreement ended. The number of individuals held for ICE dropped by over 85 percent in just one year. This reduction raises concerns about the impact on public safety.
The Center for Immigration Studies has documented several cases of criminals identified through the 287(g) program in Cobb County.
These cases include charges of rape, child molestation, and repeated drunk driving among illegal migrants. Despite the controversy, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office is not expected to change its stance on 287(g).
Sheriff Owens, who was reelected last November, has attracted national attention for his actions. In October 2024, he called for an investigation into a local Burger King for an incorrect order, drawing widespread criticism. Meanwhile, the community still mourns the loss of victims like Williams and Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.
Riley’s killing by Venezuelan illegal migrant Jose Ibarra in 2024 led to legislative action. Ibarra received a life sentence for the crime, reflecting the serious consequences of unchecked illegal immigration. The Trump administration has responded by intensifying enforcement actions nationwide.
Immigration agents, with fewer restrictions, have arrested over 30,000 illegal migrants since Trump returned to the White House. The administration remains committed to addressing the issue of criminal illegal aliens. The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office did not comment on whether they will honor the detainer request for Rivas-Sagastume.
The Trump administration’s stance is clear, with President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasizing their commitment to public safety. They have vowed not to allow criminal illegal aliens, including accused murderers, to remain at large. This firm position underscores ongoing efforts to secure the nation’s borders.
