Brother of UGA murder suspect arrested for immigration violation

Diego Ibarra

By Joe Johnson

The brother of a man in custody for a murder on the University of Georgia campus has been arrested for an immigration violation.

Diego Ibarra, 29, reportedly displayed a fraudulent green card when questioned Friday afternoon by police who were investigating the death of 22-year-old Laken Riley.

He and his brother, 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, were taken into custody by police at an apartment complex near the murder site.

Jose Ibarra was charged with murder and related crimes for allegedly killing Riley, who police said had been fatally bludgeoned when attacked on a UGA running trail located near the Ibarra brothers' apartment.

Police reportedly had asked Diego Ibarra for ID because he matched the description of the murder suspect.

However, according to the U.S. Justice Department, after the Venezuelan national presented the fake green card and was being processed for deportation, he requested asylum on a "credible fear of return" to his homeland.

He subsequently was released from immigration custody pending an April 30 hearing on his claim.

In the meantime, Diego Ibarra remains at the Clarke County Jail, held without bail on a state fraudulent identification charge.

Between Sept. 25 and Dec. 8, officials said, he was arrested three times by police in Athens: for DUI and driving without a license, shoplifting, and failure to appear in court.

Jose Ibarra also is Venezuelan national, officials said, but his immigration status was unclear.