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By Billal Rahman and Dan Gooding
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Tennessee authorities confirmed to Newsweek Tuesday that a group of eight men had been arrested for suspected looting in a flood-devastated area, but claims that they were undocumented migrants were unfounded.
All eight are currently in custody at the Washington County Detention Center, held on $20,000 bonds, according to local law enforcement officials.
Following their arrests, a NewsNation reporter on the southern border claimed on Monday these men were "getaways", as confirmed by a Department of Homeland Security official.
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On Tuesday, officials in Tennessee denied that to Newsweek.
The Claim
In a now-deleted post on X, Ali Bradley said:
"DHS sources confirm 8 men arrested for looting in flood-ravaged Tennessee entered as 'gotaways.'"
The post suggested that those arrested were illegal or undocumented migrants, showing the mugshots of those detained by deputies.
The Facts
Newsweek reached out to Washington County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee for clarification, as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Susan Saylor, Public Information Officer at WCSO, told Newsweek: "These were farm workers here legally on work visas."
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The arrests were made on Saturday, September 28, and the suspects appeared in court on Monday.
The men were charged with various burglary offenses, with five of them facing the more severe charge of Aggravated Burglary for breaking into occupied structures.
The individuals charged with this offense were:
- Albin Nahun Vega-Rapalo, 24
- David Bairon Rapalo-Rapalo, 37
- Kevin Noe Martinez-Lopez, 25
- Marvin Hernandez-Martinez, 43
- Dayln Gabriel Guillen Guillen, 37
Meanwhile, three others were charged with Burglary, identified as:
- Jesus Leodan Garcia-Peneda, 51
- Josue Berardo Ortis-Valdez, 30
- Ersy Leonel Ortis-Valdez, 33
Hurricane Helene has led to catastrophic flooding, fatalities, and displaced residents across the country.
There are multiple large farms along the Nolichucky River Basin, Saylor explained, which were "reclaimed by the river" on September 27.
"As we deal with flooding that washed away nearly half of Washington County, leaving residents without homes, without roads and without food and water, we are dealing with looting," Saylor added.
"Anyone caught breaking in to occupied or unoccupied structures will be arrested and charged."
WCSO was continuing to assist in getting supplies to those affected by the flooding on Monday, including radios, flashlights and batteries, as power supplies were still down for many.
ICE has not confirmed if it is involved in the case. Being convicted of a crime can result in a visa being withdrawn or future applications being denied.
Newsweek reached out to NewsNation for comment Tuesday morning via email.
The Ruling
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False.
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