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FIRST ON FOX: The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Tax Enforcement has filed a detainer request for an illegal immigrant in Oklahoma who is charged with murder for allegedly strangling his wife to death and dumping her body near a highway.
Willie Ricardo Merida-Escobar, 40, was charged with killing his wife, Karla Gramajo-Cabrera, in Tulsa County on April 10. Merida-Escobar, originally from Guatemala, entered the country illegally in September 2016 and was issued a final order of removal in 2023, according to DHS.
“Willie Ricardo Merida-Escobar, an illegal gangster from Guatemala, strangled his wife and dumped her body under a highway in Oklahoma. This monster should not be in our country,” Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
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Authorities say Willie Ricardo Merida-Escobar, who was in the US illegally and previously had a warrant issued, admitted to strangling his wife following an argument. (Google Maps; DHS)
“ICE has placed an inmate in custody with our law enforcement partners in Tulsa County to ensure that this sick person is not released from custody. 7 of the 10 safest cities in the United States cooperate with ICE,” said Bis. “Collaboration with law enforcement is essential so that we have the resources we need to arrest criminals in our neighborhoods across the country. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are NOT welcome in the US.”
According to a report by NewsOn6, Gramajo-Cabrera was reported missing by her sister, which led to an investigation into her disappearance.
Police noticed a pattern of suspicious behavior and domestic violence from her husband, Merida-Escobar, and after Escobar was taken into custody, the Guatemalan state pleaded guilty to murdering his wife.
ICE has filed a detainee request to ensure that Willie Ricardo Merida-Escobar remains in custody as officials emphasize cooperation with local law enforcement in dealing with immigration criminals. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
Local police told NewsOn6 that the couple’s 17-year-old son was asleep in the house when Merida-Escobar allegedly strangled his wife on April 8.
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Merida-Escobar also told police that he could not pinpoint where he dumped his wife’s body, although it was eventually found under a mattress near a highway after further investigation using phone records and additional questions, according to NewsOn6.
According to DHS, there was an argument between the two when Merida-Escobar’s wife cursed at him before she choked him to death.
Oklahoma participates in the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to work with ICE to identify and refer illegal immigrants for deportation proceedings. (Stock)
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Oklahoma, unlike other states and “sanctuary” areas, has a 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to work with ICE and federal transportation officials to refer illegal immigrants to the agency for deportation proceedings.
Fox News Digital contacted Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt about whether Merida-Escobar would be considered under the impeachment inquiry but did not receive a response in time for publication.
