WALKER, Mich. — A man arrested by Michigan State Police (MSP) over the weekend faces a felony murder charge in the death of a woman whose body was found on a Grand Rapids highway last week.
Brandon Ortiz-Vite, 25, is charged with one count of each of the following: felony murder, open murder, carjacking, carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearm.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told FOX 17 he is also in the United States illegally.
During a news conference Tuesday, when the charges were announced, MSP said Ortiz-Vite emerged as a suspect early on in their investigation of Ruby Garcia’s death.
The 25-year-old’s body was discovered on the roadway of southbound US-131 near Leonard Street around 11:40 p.m. Friday. According to investigators, she had multiple gunshot wounds.
We're told Ruby's vehicle was found on Saturday north of South Haven. Investigators say they found bullet holes in the car along with suspected bloodstains.
MSP arrested Ortiz-Vite at a church in Allegan County on Sunday. Court records show Ortiz-Vite called 911 himself that morning, saying he wanted to surrender to police. Officers found him inside the church with apparent blood on his clothes.
According to court documents, Garcia's cell phone was found near her body on Friday night. Text messages on the device showed she and Ortiz-Vite planned to meet at her home an hour before her body was found on the freeway. The two were reportedly in a romantic relationship.
During interviews with State Police detectives, Ortiz-Vite admitted to shooting Garcia multiple times during an argument inside the car. He told police Garcia was in the driver's seat when he opened fire. Ortiz-Vite claimed he got out of the car on the side of the freeway, walked around the vehicle, and shot Garcia one additional time, thinking she was still alive.
He told detectives he pulled the body out of the car and then drove off.
Troopers found a 9 millimeter pistol in Ortiz-Vite's possession during his arrest, the one he says he used to kill Garcia.
Ortiz-Vite was taken into custody on a bench warrant for an unrelated case from August 2020.
Records show he did not show up for a hearing on two misdemeanor driving offenses.
According to ICE, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Detroit arrested Ortiz-Vite a day after the traffic violations and served him a notice to appear before the Justice Department’s Executive Office of Immigration Review.
An immigration judge ordered his removal from the U.S. on Sept. 24, 2020, and he was deported to Mexico, his native country, later that week.
ICE says at an unknown date and location, Ortiz-Vite re-entered the country without inspection by an immigration official.
His criminal history in Michigan dates back to 2017.
An ICE spokesperson released the following statement:
"Brandon Ortiz-Vite, a 25-year-old citizen of Mexico, was arrested by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Detroit on Aug. 31, 2020, and served a notice to appear. He was ordered removed by an immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office of Immigration Review Sept. 24, 2020, and was removed to Mexico Sept. 29, 2020.
"At an unknown date and location Ortiz-Vite reentered the United States without inspection by an immigration official."
Prosecutor Becker referenced Puertas Abiertas — an organization that aims to empower Latina women to live a self-sufficient, safe and authentic life, free from violence — during Tuesday's press conference. Click here for more information.
Watch Tuesday's full press conference on the announcement below:
READ MORE: Family of woman found dead on US-131 pushes for answers, justice
MIGOP Chair Pete Hoekstra released the following statement Tuesday, slamming President Joe Biden's border policy:
"Democrats have proven time and time again they would rather open the floodgates to unvetted, dangerous illegal immigrants than protect American citizens by securing and strengthening our border.
"The consequences of illegal immigration and Biden's catch-and-release policies are no longer a problem solely for southern states — the issue has now violently knocked on our door here in West Michigan. Ruby Garcia, fatally attacked by an illegal immigrant in a Grand Rapids carjacking last Friday, paid the ultimate price for Democrats' repeated failures.
"The violent offender was previously deported under the Trump Administration in September of 2020. A country without borders is no country at all, and we cannot allow our nation to become a safe haven for criminals.
"I pray justice is delivered swiftly for Ruby Garcia's family and I will continue working to elect Donald J. Trump this November, who has promised to put an end to the invasion taking place at our border and put America and its citizens first."
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