U.S. Deports Illegal Alien Wanted For Raping, Killing Teen, Murdering Her Father

The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol says it’s turned over a previously-deported illegal alien, wanted for raping and killing a 14-year-old and murdering her father in June, to Guatemalan authorities.

Juan Figueroa-Martinez, 27, so brutalized his victim she “subsequently died as a direct result of this crime,” according to the news release. When the victim’s father confronted her alleged murderer, Martinez shot him with a rifle, killing him.

Martinez then fled to the U.S., where he roamed about until Border Patrol agents arrested him near Falfurrias, Texas in August. A violent rapist who broke into the country was at large for a month — and no media outlet has bothered to write up this case except for a sole local news outlet. Martinez had previously been deported after authorities arrested him in New Jersey in March 2013.

It’s unclear why Martinez chose to flee to the U.S. after his alleged rape-murder spree, rather than a neighboring country, like Mexico. One clue might be Mexico’s tough immigration laws:

Under the Mexican law, illegal immigration is a felony, punishable by up to two years in prison. Immigrants who are deported and attempt to re-enter can be imprisoned for 10 years. Visa violators can be sentenced to six-year terms. Mexicans who help illegal immigrants are considered criminals.