http://milford-ma.patch.com/articles...re-communities
Worcester Sheriff: Tragedy Highlights Need for Secure Communities
In a statement, Worcester County Sheriff Lewis Evangelidis said the man accused of the fatal hit-and-run that killed Matthew Denice should have been removed from the U.S. based on prior arrests.
Editor's Note: The following is a statement released Monday night by the office of Lewis Evangelidis, Worcester County Sheriff. The Sheriff's Office on Monday took custody of Nicolas Guaman, 34, the driver charged with motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence of liquor, and other offenses in the death of Milford resident Matthew Denice, a motorcyclist who was struck and killed after he was dragged a quarter-mile in the road. Guaman is an Ecuadorian citizen who told Milford police he is here illegally. He was arrested in Milford in February 2008 on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, two counts of assault and battery on a public employee, and breaking and entering, according to the Worcester District Attorney's Office. The charges were "continued without a finding for a year" in May 2008.
The statement from Evangelidis:
Suspect and illegal immigrant Nicolas Guaman is presently being held at the Worcester County House of Correction. "As Worcester County Sheriff, I want to be emphatically clear that if the Secure Communities Act was already in place, a criminal alien such as Nicolas Guaman with a prior arrest record could have been identified by the Department of Homeland Security and ICE giving them the opportunity to deport Mr. Guaman in advance of this horrific crime on Aug. 20."
"The Secure Communities Act is a commonsense federal program designed to identify and deport illegal immigrants who have previously been arrested, most importantly it protects the citizens of Worcester County and the Commonwealth from unthinkable tragedies like this."
"As Sheriff, I find it implausible to think that Governor Patrick would not reconsider his failed position and lack of leadership on this issue and begin to immediately enact Secure Communities."
The Worcester County Sheriff's Department is fully committed to implementing and supporting the Secure Communities Act and will work diligently with federal agencies to identify and deport illegal immigrants who have been previously arrested for a crime.
"Moving forward, it is extremely important that we do everything possible to prevent a horrific tragedy like this from happening again."