Governor Dan McKee has requested the head of Rhode Island's State Police to investigate why a man charged with felony child molestation was released, despite being wanted by federal immigration authorities.
The suspect, identified as Manuel Garcia Dela Cruz is a Guatemalan national who was arrested in March 2022, but released on bail despite a notice from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
State Attorney General Peter Neronha responded that prosecutors tried to hold Dela Cruz, and blamed a district court judge for letting him go.
Dela Cruz, who is 38, was arrested again earlier this month and will face a hearing Friday.
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