Mexican national Ulises Raigoza-Martinez was sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing a Nashville restaurant owner after entering the U.S. illegally. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have requested that he be taken into custody for deportation proceedings after completing his sentence.
The incident occurred on June 19, 2024, in the parking lot of the Smokin' Thighs restaurant in Nashville. According to police records, Raigoza-Martinez was caught trying to steal tools from the pickup truck of 42-year-old restaurant owner Matt Carney. After Carney came outside to stop the thief, Raigoza-Martinez drove his car into him. Carney flew onto the hood and then was thrown onto the road, sustaining severe injuries. The injured restaurant owner died in the hospital on July 4, 2024.
Raigoza-Martinez was arrested on July 18, 2024, in south Nashville. Two years later, on July 22, 2026, he pleaded guilty to murder, theft over $10,000, tampering with evidence, and theft over $2,500. Last Tuesday, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated that Raigoza-Martinez "never should have been in our country to commit this heinous murder." Bis added, "We will work with state and local authorities in Tennessee to ensure he is turned over to ICE custody after completing his sentence so we can deport him from our country."
The detention request issued by ICE requires Tennessee authorities to notify federal officials before releasing Raigoza-Martinez from prison. It was stated that after this process, the defendant will be subject to deportation proceedings.
