The illegal immigrant accused of killing Nashville restaurant owner Matthew Carney on June 19 previously saw unrelated charges for burglary and theft dropped by a Davidson County judge who was apparently unaware of the alleged criminal’s immigration status.
Ulises Raigoz-Martinez was charged by the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Homicide Unit after the fatal hit-and-run crash of the Smokin Thighs restaurant owner, with MNPD stating Martinez “admitted that he and an associate” were attempting to steal tools from Carney’s truck when he discovered them.
Martinez (pictured above, left) and his associate, who is also in MNPD custody, fled the scene and were subsequently arrested by MNPD on July 18 at a Nashville motel. The hit-and-run occurred the previous day.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly confirmed to Fox 17 News that Martinez is an illegal immigrant from Mexico who “entered the United States on an unknown date and location, without being admitted or paroled by an immigration officer.”
A statement obtained by Local 3 News confirmed an immigration detainer was placed on Martinez after his arrest.
Information publicly available from the Davidson County General Sessions Court confirms Martinez was charged in March with two counts of theft of more than $10,000 but less than $60,000, in addition to one vehicular burglary charge.
Theft of between $10,000 and $60,000 is considered a Class C felony in Tennessee. The crime is punishable with a sentence of between three and 15 years in prison. Burglary of a vehicle is considered a Class E felony, and carries a sentence of between one and six years in prison.
Court records confirm all three charges were dismissed by General Sessions Court Judge Jim Todd (pictured above, right) on March 6, just five days after Martinez was granted a combined $35,000 bond by Judge Melissa Blackburn. Fox 17 reported Martinez was initially booked for the alleged crimes on February 28.
Todd was elected in 2022, when he ran unopposed in the general election after winning the Democratic primary for Division VI by just over 1,000 votes. His current term will end on September 1, 2030.
A post by the Republican National Committee (RNC) to the social media platform X connects the allegations against Martinez to Vice President Kamala Harris, who was condemned by the U.S. House last week for her failures at the southern border as the Biden administration’s “border czar.”
KAMALA MIGRANT CRIME: An illegal alien from Mexico — who had previously been arrested — is charged with the murder of a Tennessee restaurant owner.
Coming to a city near you in a Kamala presidency. pic.twitter.com/m7Hv7FMxWZ
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 29, 2024
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Ulises Martinez” by Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Photo “Judge Jim Todd” by Jim Todd for Judge. Background Photo “Courtroom” by Karen Neoh. CC BY 2.0.
