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ICE Lodges Detainer for Suspect Charged in Connecticut Crash That Killed Police Officer

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Just the facts

Local law enforcement authorities in Danbury, Connecticut, charged 27-year-old Melissa Esperanza Ramirez-Romero with two counts of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, operating under the influence, and additional traffic offenses following a July 13 head-on collision. The crash resulted in the deaths of 38-year-old off-duty Bridgeport Police Officer Cooper Whiteside and 34-year-old Brittany Islami. Federal officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement subsequently filed a formal detainer requesting state authorities maintain custody of Ramirez-Romero if she posts her $500,000 bond. Connecticut state officials also issued public clarifications after false claims circulated online regarding voter registration records linked to the case.

Why this is news

Federal authorities announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer against 27-year-old Melissa Esperanza Ramirez-Romero following her arrest in Connecticut.

Sources

This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.

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