University of Georgia murder suspect’s brother charged in federal court

(NewsNation) — The brother of the suspect accused of killing 22-year-old Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus is in federal court Thursday.

Diego Ibarra, 28, was charged Thursday with possessing a fraudulent green card. U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Weigle ordered him to remain in police custody pending trial based on evidence that he is a flight risk.

If convicted, he faces up to ten years in prison.

Diego Ibarra was arrested on Feb. 23, 2024, for presenting law enforcement with a fake green card after they approached him in search of his brother, Jose Ibarra, 26, who was named a suspect in Riley’s death.

Now, federal prosecutors are accusing the Venezuelan migrant of having ties to the largest criminal organization in Venezuela: Tren de Aragua.

New court filings include pictures of Diego Ibarra making gang hand signals, posing with illegal guns and other evidence of the connection.

Diego Ibarra first crossed into the U.S. through Eagle Pass, Texas, on April 3, 2023. Agents speculate he then willingly left the U.S. on his own — he was not deported.

The illegal migrant crossed over a second time later that month. On this entry, there was a violent event where a Border Patrol agent was assaulted. He was not prosecuted because he claimed he had epilepsy.

The person who crossed over with Diego Ibarra was charged with assaulting the Border Patrol agent and is currently sitting in Big Springs Correctional Facility as an aggravated felon.

Diego Ibarra was placed under expedited removal with credible fear and was turned over to ICE. Records show he was then released on parole.

Since entering the United States, investigators say Diego Ibarra has been arrested three times by Athens, Georgia, law enforcement. His charges included driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a license.

He was also cited at least twice for shoplifting, once in October 2023 accompanied by his brother, and a second time in December 2023.

ICE detainers against Diego Ibarra were not honored by Athens-Clarke County, ICE spokesperson Lindsay Williams said in a statement.