State Reaction to Eswin Mejia Extradition

Senator Ricketts
Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) thanked President Donald Trump for securing the extradition of Sarah Root’s killer Eswin Mejia from Honduras to the United States. Ricketts said the following:

“Nine years ago, just hours after graduating college, Sarah Root had her life taken by an illegal alien drunk driver. For nine years, her killer evaded justice – until now,” Ricketts said. “Thanks to President Trump, this criminal illegal alien will be held accountable for the tragedy he caused. Sarah’s family will get the justice they deserve. This is leadership in action.”

BACKGROUND:

In 2016, Sarah Root was killed by Mejia in a car crash in Omaha. Mejia, an illegal alien, was driving with a blood alcohol level of three times the legal limit. Hours before, Sarah had graduated from Bellevue University. She was 21 years old. Due to a loophole in federal law, he posted bail, was released from jail, and fled the country.

In January, President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law. The Laken Riley Act, which Ricketts called “landmark legislation,” included Sarah’s Law. Sarah’s Law requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detail illegal aliens criminally charged with killing or seriously injuring another person. It closes the loophole that allowed Mejia to avoid accountability for over nine years.

Gov. Pillen and Lt. Gov. Kelly React to Announced Extradition of Eswin Mejia
LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen and Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly say they are encouraged that the pursuit for justice for Sarah Root and her family is taking another significant step forward. Wanted fugitive Eswin Mejia will be extradited to Nebraska to face charges for her death in a 2016 crash. Mejia, who was in the U.S. illegally, disappeared after posting bail.   
 
“We are grateful to the large team of federal, state and Honduran officials, as well as to state public servants who also had a hand in the capture of Mejia. Over nine long years, law enforcement officers never gave up on the search for Root’s killer. We thank Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his efforts to ensure that Mejia will be extradited back to the United States.”