Feds mum on how Laken Riley’s killer flew from migrant shelter ground zero
Laken Riley’s convicted killer, Jose Ibarra, was granted a “humanitarian flight” from New York City to Atlanta in September 2023, but federal officials have declined to provide more information about the circumstances surrounding this decision. During Ibarra’s trial in Georgia, prosecutors presented a photo of a Delta Air Lines ticket dated Sept. 28, 2023, for his travel from New York to Atlanta. The ticket was found on a WhatsApp account associated with Ibarra.
Ibarra’s former roommate, Rosbeli Flores-Bello, testified that they went to the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan in September 2023 to request a “humanitarian flight” to Atlanta, with the promise of finding work in Athens, Georgia from Ibarra’s brother, Diego. The Roosevelt Hotel had been transformed into an immigration processing hub or “reticketing center” in May 2023, where new arrivals seeking asylum could receive assistance with further travel arrangements.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ office expressed condolences for Laken Riley’s tragic death and called for meaningful immigration reform to address the challenges faced by cities in dealing with the national humanitarian crisis. The reticketing centers in the city help migrants arrange further travel outside of New York City, providing a vital service for those in need of assistance.
Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan illegal immigrant, is facing multiple charges in connection with Riley’s murder, including his entry into the United States through El Paso, Texas, and his subsequent arrest in New York City prior to moving to Athens. Ibarra and his brothers, Diego and Argenis, lived together in Athens, less than half a mile from where Riley was found dead. Diego Ibarra has ties to a violent Venezuela-based organized crime gang, Tren de Aragua, according to court documents.
The FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement are involved in the investigation, but have not provided additional information about Ibarra’s case or the humanitarian flight he was granted. The White House and Delta Air Lines have also not commented on the matter. As the trial continues, the details surrounding Laken Riley’s murder and the circumstances of Jose Ibarra’s travel to Georgia are being closely scrutinized.
