An illegal alien killed two cops in Maryland–and now he’s getting off with little more than a slap on the wrist.
Roberto Garza Palacios, a native of Guatemala, was accused of killing Sander Cohen, a 33-year-old deputy chief with Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Carlos Wolff, a 36-year-old FBI agent, in December 2017.
Garza Palacios was driving along Maryland’s Interstate 270 when he crashed his car into the median, striking Cohen and Wolff. Cohen had pulled over to help Wolff, whose car had broken down.
The force of the accident was so severe that Wolff and Cohen were propelled into a concrete wall. Cohen was killed instantly, while Wolff died later in the hospital.
Garza Palacios was not found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and claimed he did not see either men before he hit them.
Garza Palacios has a criminal record in the United States, including a drunk driving arrest, vandalism of 16 vehicles, and arson. Garza served four months in jail, but was released by “sanctuary city” Montgomery County, Maryland, before Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents could take him into federal custody.
Despite his record, Garza Palacios received just a $280 fine for the deadly car crash, after Maryland prosecutors decided that killing two cops didn’t constitute a “reckless disregard” for life.
Marla Wolff, Carlos Wolff’s widow, publicly slammed the decision, saying it was “ridiculous” that her two young children should be left fatherless while Garza Palacios would be let off relatively scot-free.
“He just pays $280, and that’s all he has to do,” she said.
Marla added, “He loved his children so much. They’re going to miss their daddy so much.”
Garza Palacios has avoided jail for his latest crime, but he won’t be able to stay in the country: ICE officials say that he has been taken into their custody and is now finally facing deportation.
