A Honduran man who entered the United States illegally and was released during the Biden administration has been charged in a fatal hit-and-run in western North Carolina, according to local police and federal immigration officials.
Mauricio Josue Alberto Sarmiento, 27, was arrested by the Sylva Police Department and charged with felony hit-and-run resulting in death, driving with a revoked license, speeding, failure to reduce speed, and having no liability insurance, authorities said.
The charges stem from an incident in the early morning hours of August 2, when Sarmiento was allegedly speeding in Sylva and struck a pedestrian, 51-year-old James Bagley III, before fleeing the scene, police said. Bagley was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene.
Border Arrest and Release
Sarmiento, a Honduran national, first came to the attention of U.S. authorities in October 2021, when he illegally crossed the southern border as an unaccompanied alien child (UAC). Border Patrol agents took him into custody, but he was quickly released into the U.S. interior in the custody of an unrelated adult sponsor—a process carried out by the administration of former President Joe Biden, according to the police report and federal sources.
The case has drawn sharp criticism from the current administration, with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin directly linking the tragedy to Biden-era border policies.
“If it weren’t for the Biden Administration’s disastrous open borders, James Bagley would still be alive,” Mullin said in a statement. “ICE is asking officials in Jackson County to cooperate and not release this criminal from jail without notifying ICE. By securing our border and deporting illegal aliens, we can save lives and prevent tragedies like this one from ever happening again.”
ICE agents have lodged a detainer against Sarmiento, seeking custody if he is released from the Jackson County Jail at any point. The detainer asks local authorities to hold Sarmiento for up to 48 hours so ICE can take him into federal custody for removal proceedings.
Community Reaction
The Aug. 2 crash has shaken the small town of Sylva, a community of about 2,500 people in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bagley was a well-known local figure, according to neighbors, who expressed shock and anger over the circumstances of his death.
“James was a good man,” one neighbor told a local news outlet. “He didn’t deserve to die like this.”
The Sylva Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment, but a police spokesperson confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges could be filed.
Court records show Sarmiento is being held without bond at Jackson County Jail, pending a court appearance scheduled for later this month.
Broader Border Controversy
The case highlights the continuing political debate over U.S. immigration policy, particularly the handling of unaccompanied minors who cross the border illegally. During the Biden administration, hundreds of thousands of UACs were released to sponsors—often relatives or friends—while their immigration cases moved through backlogged courts.
Proponents of stricter border enforcement have pointed to cases like Sarmiento’s as evidence that the UAC release system needs to be overhauled. Critics of current enforcement, however, caution against painting all migrants with a broad brush, noting that the overwhelming majority never commit violent crimes.
Still, for the family of James Bagley, the debate is no longer abstract. They are planning a memorial service and have started a fund to cover funeral expenses.
“We just want justice for James,” a family member said. “Nothing can bring him back, but we want the person responsible to face consequences.”
ICE officials reiterated that they intend to take Sarmiento into custody as soon as local authorities release him, and will begin deportation proceedings. A spokesperson for ICE said the agency is “committed to removing illegal aliens who pose a threat to public safety.”
The case has also prompted state lawmakers to renew calls for stronger cooperation between local jails and federal immigration authorities. In a statement, North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore said, “This tragedy shows why we need to enforce our immigration laws and ensure that dangerous criminals are not released back into our communities. I urge all local sheriffs to honor ICE detainers.”
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, which operates the jail, has not yet commented on whether it will comply with the detainer if a bond is set.
As the community mourns, the legal process for Sarmiento will unfold in the coming weeks. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the felony hit-and-run charge, plus additional time for the other charges.
For now, the memory of James Bagley—and the circumstances of his death—remain at the heart of a broader unresolved policy debate.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/08/19/north-carolina-biden-released-illegal-alien-accused-of-killing-51-year-old-man-in-hit-and-run/