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Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer request for an illegal immigrant from Mexico who recently pled guilty to murdering a Nashville restaurant owner in 2024, meaning he will likely face deportation once his two-decade prison sentence ends.
Ulises Raigoza-Martinez entered the U.S. illegally through Texas under the Biden administration in 2021 and was confirmed to be a “got away” by ICE, meaning he escaped detection by Border Patrol agents and was able to make his way into the country’s interior.
Three years later, in June 2024, he was involved in the killing of Nashville restaurateur Matt Carney when Raigoza-Martinez, along with another illegal alien, stopped at Smokin’ Thighs attempting to steal tools from Carney’s pickup truck. When Carney came out to confront the thieves, Raigoza-Martinez sped away, striking Carney with the vehicle and causing him to land on the hood before being thrown to the pavement.
Carney succumbed to his critical injuries on July 4, 2024, and Smokin’ Thighs closed its doors after nearly a decade in business.
Raigoza-Martinez admitted his role in the murder in August 2024, but officially pled guilty on July 22, 2026, to the charges of second-degree murder, vehicle theft over $10,000, theft over $2,500, and evidence tampering.
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison the same day, and ICE filed a detainer request two days later to have Raigoza-Martinez remanded into Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody once his sentence is completed so removal proceedings can be initiated and he can be deported.
“This criminal illegal alien should NEVER have been in our country to commit this heinous murder. We will work with our state and local partners in Tennessee to ensure that he is handed over to ICE custody once his sentence is complete, so that we can remove him from our country,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
If we had effective punishments he’d be hung and buried.