Regarding one of the suspects detained to the death of a tour guide in the French Quarter, new details have surfaced.
Joshua Bonifacio-Avila, a 19-year-old Honduran citizen, entered the country illegally on an unspecified date at an unspecified location, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, that he was not granted entry, parole, or inspection by an immigration official.
According to ICE, Bonifacio encountered Border Patrol on May 11, 2019, close to Hidalgo, Texas, and was found to be ineligible to enter the country under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
In October 2023, Bonifacio was arrested in Kenner for theft; in February 2024, he was detained again for theft and juvenile delinquency.
According to records, Bonifacio was freed from Jefferson Parish jail due to jail overcrowding.
On July 1, 2024, Bonifacio and two other people were taken into custody on charges of shooting and killing 43-year-old Kristie Thibodeaux.
In response to the revelation, Governor Jeff Landry stated on X (previously known as Twitter) that “This man should have never been in Louisiana.” It’s enough. To protect our communities, we must close our borders.”This occurs in the wake of contracts for the juvenile ankle monitoring program in New Orleans being criticized.
At the time of the incident, the 15-year-old who is suspected of shooting Thibodeaux was wearing an ankle monitor.
Attorney General Liz Murrill of Louisiana has initiated an investigation of the ankle monitor program.Reference Article
