ICE arrests scottish man convicted of murder after release from Florida prison and prepares for his deportation.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the detention of Phillip Harkins, a Scottish undocumented immigrant convicted of murder, immediately following his release from the Florida Department of Corrections on August 18.
The Scotsman is currently held at the Baker County Detention Center in Macclenny, awaiting his removal from the country. According to ICE, an immigration judge ordered his deportation in August 2002.
Harkins served a 25-year sentence for the murder of a U.S. citizen during a drug transaction in 1999.
“ICE will not allow undocumented criminal aliens to evade justice or remain illegally in the United States,” said Garrett Ripa, Field Office Director for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Miami.
“This arrest underscores our commitment to enforcing immigration laws and deporting dangerous individuals who threaten the safety of our communities. Undocumented aliens who violate our laws and harm American citizens will face the full weight of the law and be deported,” he added.
Criminal History.
On June 13, 1996, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested Harkins for possession of a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon. On January 13, 1997, the Duval County Court convicted him of these offenses.
On February 4, 2000, he was arrested for homicide and, after posting bail, fled to Scotland to evade pending charges in Duval County, according to ICE.
Following a prolonged extradition dispute in Scotland, Harkins was handed over to U.S. authorities. On May 17, 2018, he was convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery.
The court sentenced him to 25 years in prison, crediting him with 5,631 days served in the United Kingdom for other matters.
Original article from Diario de las Américas.
About The Author
