Three Venezuelan nationals were sentenced for illegal entry into the U.S. and possession of fraudulent immigration documents. As reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Diego Jose Ibarra, known as "Gocho," received a 48-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to having fake immigration documents, a case that also involved a murder investigation. His brother, Argenis Ibarra, and former roommate, Rosbeli Flores-Bello, received similar sentences.
The case began with the investigation into the murder of Laken Hope Riley. Authorities approached Diego Ibarra after he matched a suspect’s description. His counterfeit green card was discovered during the investigation, leading to his arrest. His brother, Jose Antonio Ibarra, was later convicted of the murder. Diego’s sentence was above the federal guidelines due to the serious circumstances surrounding the case. Both Argenis Ibarra and Flores-Bello were sentenced to time served and will be deported after completing their sentences.
Court documents revealed Diego Ibarra's complicated history. He entered the U.S. illegally near El Paso, Texas, on April 30, 2023, and resisted arrest by Border Patrol agents. He was hospitalized for injuries after National Guard intervention. Ibarra failed to report as required after being released from immigration custody, and later settled in Athens, Georgia, where he encountered local law enforcement for DUI and theft charges.
Argenis Ibarra also entered the U.S. illegally near El Paso and was arrested after returning from Mexico. His requests for employment authorization were denied. Flores-Bello entered the U.S. illegally and was released from ICE custody due to space limitations. She failed to attend her immigration court hearing and eventually joined the Ibarra brothers in Georgia.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative to combat illegal immigration and related criminal activity. The operation involved several agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI, focusing on addressing illegal immigration and the criminal activity that often accompanies it.
