Two illegal migrants have been charged with a series of offences after an American councillor and his wife were killed in a horrific car crash.
Edwin Pacheco-Meza, 34, was allegedly driving under the influence when he caused a crash which left Coles County Board member Michael Clayton and his wife Gail dead in Westfield, Illinois.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that ammunition, an extended magazine, drugs and an open contained of alcohol were found inside the 34-year-old's car.
Juan Morales-Martinez, an 18-year-old passenger in the car at the time, was also arrested.
Mr Pacheco-Meza, from Honduras, was charged with reckless homicide and driving under the influence.
Mr Morales-Martinez, from Guatemala, was charged with drug possession and a weapons offence.
DHS revealed that an Ice (Immigration Customs and Enforcement) detainer was lodged after the pair were taken to Clark County Jail.
A detainer urges local authorities to tip off Ice before Mr Arauz-Medina is released.
Michael and Gail Clayton (pictured) were killed in a car crash
|ADAMS FUNERAL CHAPEL
However, the Government department said that officials from Clark County Jail did not cooperate because Illinois has so-called "sanctuary policies" which restrict them from cooperating with Ice.
The DHS warns sanctuary policies pose a "direct, ongoing threat to American citizens by releasing criminal illegal aliens back into our communities".
It added: "Under President Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem, the US DHS and Ice are restoring law and order to the United States and will not be stopped by activist politicians or sanctuary policies."
Nevertheless, federal agents arrested Mr Morales-Martinez outside the jail on October 27.
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PICTURED: Edwin Pacheco-Meza
|DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
PICTURED: Juan Morales-Martinez, who entered the US illegally in December 2023 and was released under the Biden administration
|DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
It emerged that he had entered the US illegally in December 2023 and was released under the Biden administration.
The DHS added, however, that it is not known what date Mr Pacheco-Meza entered the country.
Assistant Secretary said: "Two innocents were killed because this criminal illegal alien chose to drive under the influence.
"President Trump and Secretary Noem have unleashed Ice and CBP in Illinois to restore law and order and remove criminal ill aliens from our communities.
"Anyone who is in the US illegally and thinks they can roam free while breaking our laws and harming Americans is in for a rude awakening.
"If you are un our country illegally and break our laws, we will find you, arrest you, remove you and you will never return."
Mr and Mrs Clayton were described as hard working and kind with a deep love for each other, their family, and their home.
Their obituary said: "They loved the simple things: family dinners, community gatherings, and quiet evenings together at home."