ICE - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

02/04/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/05/2026 07:40

ICE lodges immigration detainer against criminal illegal alien accused of negligent vehicular manslaughter in California

SANTA ANA, Calif. - ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Darwin Felipe Bahamon Martinez, a 21-year-old criminal illegal alien from Colombia accused of killing one and injuring another while leading Anaheim police on a high-speed chase.

"Bahamon Martinez illegally entered the U.S. near Chula Vista, California, in August 2023," said ICE Los Angeles field office leadership. "He was released into the U.S. under the Biden administration's so-called 'catch-and-release' policies, but if that hadn't happened, the innocent 59-year-old driver he allegedly killed may still be alive today."

During the three-minute pursuit, Bahamon Martinez struck two vehicles - one driven by the now-deceased victim and another driven by an 83-year-old woman who was treated for minor injuries.

Bahamon Martinez, who entered the U.S. illegally, is currently in the Orange County Jail awaiting criminal proceedings on his homicide charge. ICE lodged an immigration detainer against him Jan. 22. If local officials in Gavin Newsom's sanctuary California choose to release Bahamon Martinez into the community, they will put ALL Californians at risk.

California must honor our immigration detainer. Otherwise, ICE will be forced to re-arrest this criminal illegal alien at-large. At-large arrests are significantly more dangerous than custody transfers are because they require ICE officers to arrest unpredictable criminal illegal aliens in public settings.

You can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE's public safety mission on X at @ICEgov.

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