People released from custody who were later charged with a violent crime

Each case names the judge or agency that made the release decision, the terms of release, and what happened next, with links to the news reports and court records it draws on.

Cases: 25
Judges and agencies named: 25
Median days from release to the new crime: 94

Released byAll 25 Judge 19 ICE detainer declined 2 Border Patrol 3 Sanctuary policy 1

Cases

Newest first

Murder in Athens, Georgia

Laken Riley, 22

February 22, 2024, 161 days after release

ICE detainer declinedUndocumented

Prior arrests: 3
Released September 14, 2023 by Pending Identification (NYC + Athens): Released by NYPD without ICE detainer

Riley was attacked while running on a wooded trail near Lake Herrick on the UGA campus. Ibarra struggled with her, beat her with a rock, and asphyxiated her. Surveillance footage and his thumbprint on her phone tied him to the crime. Convicted of malice murder on November 20, 2024 and sentenced to life without parole.

Full case Wikipedia FOX 5 Atlanta+2 sources

Murder in Aberdeen, Maryland

Kayla Hamilton, 20

July 27, 2022, 103 days after release

ICE detainer declinedUndocumented

Prior arrests: 1
Released April 15, 2022 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: ICE declined juvenile detainer; released to MD CPS

Martinez forced his way into Hamilton's apartment, raped and strangled her. Her final moments were inadvertently recorded on her boyfriend's voicemail when she tried to call him as Martinez arrived. Pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in 2024. Sentenced by Judge Yolanda Curtin to life with all but 70 years suspended.

Full case Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center WMAR Baltimore+1 sources