Illegal Alien Accused of Killing Virginia Mother Had California Drivers License

A California-issued driver's license to an illegal alien is under scrutiny after he was arrested for the carjacking and death of a Virginia mother and grandmother in a tragic incident.

A 21-year-old illegal alien from El Salvador, who was issued a driver’s license by California, has been arrested for carjacking and killing 54-year-old Melody Waldecker, a mother of four and grandmother of eight, in Loudoun County, Virginia.

Jose Aguilar-Martinez was taken into custody and charged by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office after allegedly causing the death of Waldecker during a carjacking incident. The tragic event occurred on July 28, when Waldecker stopped at a 7-Eleven in Sterling, Virginia, after visiting her ailing mother. According to police, Aguilar-Martinez attempted to break into Waldecker’s parked car, and when she tried to intervene, he hit her with the vehicle, killing her as he fled the scene. Aguilar-Martinez was arrested 45 minutes later.

Sheriff Michael Chapman revealed that Aguilar-Martinez had obtained a driver’s license in California, a state known for its sanctuary policies. Since 2015, California has issued driver’s licenses to more than a million illegal aliens in an effort to prevent them from being handed over to law enforcement for driving without a license, which could lead to actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“This is a horrific tragedy, and we mourn the death of Melody Waldecker as the result of the heinous actions by a suspect in our nation illegally,” Chapman said in a statement. He emphasized the importance of localities collaborating with federal authorities to enforce U.S. immigration laws.

According to Chapman, ICE agents have issued nearly 500 detainers for illegal aliens in Loudoun County’s custody over fiscal years 2023 and 2024. Of those, ICE has taken custody of almost 250 individuals, with nearly 100 deported so far.

Aguilar-Martinez is currently held without bail at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. ICE has placed a detainer on him, requesting custody if he is released. Additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.

Friends of the Waldecker family have set up a GoFundMe page to support them during this difficult time.