REVEALED: Venezuelan migrant suspected of murdering nursing student at University of Georgia was arrested in NYC just FIVE MONTHS AGO 'for endangering a child'

The suspected illegal immigrant killer of student nurse Laken Riley, 22, had previously been arrested by police in New York City last September. 

Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, of Athens, was charged in Riley's killing with felony murder, false imprisonment, kidnapping and concealing the death of another and was denied bond on Saturday morning.

But just five months ago, Ibarra was arrested and charged 'with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation,' according to ICE.

The NYPD released him 'before a detainer could be issued,' the agency said. 

New York City is also a 'sanctuary city,' which usually restricts law enforcement from complying with ICE detainers. 

Ibarra posted several photos on his Facebook from a trip to New York City he took in recent months. He was also arrested in the city in September 2023

 UGA murder victim was killed by 'blunt force trauma' police investigating her death said

On the day of the murder, Riley's suspected killer, Ibarra, uploaded a selfie onto his TikTok account in which he stared into the camera and grinned

Ibarra's wife, Layling Franco, said she was surprised to hear her husband was the alleged suspect in the Georgia murder but that he 'should face the consequences' if found guilty

Ibarra, who was married, had been working for DoorDash, Uber Eats and a local restaurant at the time of his arrest for endangering the welfare of a child.

He was caught in Queens, New York riding a gas-powered moped with his wife's son on the back, without any helmet or restraint for the child.

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations' Atlanta Field Office has since lodged a detainer against Ibarra following his arrest on Friday. He is currently being held at the Clarke County Jail.

Prior to his arrest by the NYPD, Ibarra had posted pictures to social media of him touring the sites of the Big Apple. 

 Officials confirmed that Ibarra is not a US citizen and did not know or have any kind of relationship with Riley

Jose Antonio Ibarra of Venezuela is seen in some of his TikTok videos. Ibarra is accused of murdering nursing student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus

He has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another

Jose Antonio Ibarra of Venezuela as seen in one of his TikTok videos on a trip to New York

On Sunday, ICE confirmed that Ibarra is a Venezuelan migrant who is not a United States citizen. 

His wife, Layling Franco, told the New York Post she was surprised to hear her husband was the alleged suspect in the Georgia murder.

'I have a lot of faith that this wasn't him, that there was a misunderstanding somewhere. But if he did, he has to pay for what he did, truly,' Franco said.

'We got married so we could join our asylum cases. He was the person I thought I could see through. We've known each other our entire lives.

'He wasn't aggressive, none of that,' Franco insisted. 'We had problems as a couple but our problems weren't physical. We wouldn't punch but we'd raise our voices.'

Riley's mother Allyson Phillips shared photos and a video of Riley during the Augusta University nursing program's white coat ceremony on Facebook in August 2023

Allyson Phillips, Riley's mother, has posted several photos and videos over the years of the entire family 

Riley was found dead in a wooded area near Lake Herrick on Thursday afternoon.

'We wish to thank the public for their prayers and thoughts during this tragic time,' the devastated family said in a statement.

'Laken was an amazing daughter, sister, friend and overall person in general. Her love for the Lord was exemplified in every aspect of her life. 

'She will be missed every day, but we promise to honor her life moving forward in a very big way.

They added: 'During this most difficult time, we ask that you respect our privacy, and provide us the time and space necessary to grieve our daughter's life that was tragically cut short.' 

Riley was reported missing after he concerned roommate told police she had not returned from a jog. 

She was killed by 'blunt force trauma,' police confirmed.

'The individual was unconscious and not breathing and had visible injuries,' UGA Police Chief Jeffrey L. Clark said in a statement. 

Ibarra, 26, crossed into El Paso, Texas in September 2022 but had been released from a detention center due to a lack of space. 

Now Republicans including Marjorie Taylor Greene have called for Ibarra to receive the death penalty.

'Ibarra is an illegal alien and murdered a young woman the age of my own children. Deportation is not enough. He deserves the death penalty,' the Georgia representative said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, has been identified and charged for allegedly murdering nursing student Laken Riley, 22, at the University of Georgia in Athens

Police search a wooded area at the University of Georgia after the shock discovery Thursday

Ibarra was active on Facebook prior to his arrest but his account is now deactivated

Riley, 22, was found dead Thursday afternoon after her roommate reported her missing, saying she had not returned from her jog

Officials have confirmed that Ibarra is not a US citizen and did not know or have any kind of relationship with Riley 

The University of Georgia said Riley graduated from the school in 2023, and went on to enroll at Augusta University's nursing program, which has a campus in Athens 

'You want to break in our country, ILLEGALLY, and murder one of our girls. DEATH PENALTY!' She added in another.

Ibarra has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, concealing the death of another and failure to appear for a finger printable charge.

Cops said that he did not know the victim and the crime was a 'random, solo act.'

UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark told reporters at a press conference on Thursday that officers have searched Ibarra's apartment in Athens and evidence shows that he acted alone. 

'He did not know her at all. I think this is a crime of opportunity where he saw an individual and bad things happened,' Clark said. 

'The evidence is robust. It is supported by key input by the community, physical evidence and expert police work. Importantly, we were assisted by video footage from our campus security cameras network.'

Riley was a senior nursing student enrolled at Augusta University College of Nursing at Athens who grew up in Woodstock, Georgia.

Before she earned her undergraduate degree at UGA in 2023, she graduated from River Ridge High School in 2020.

Riley was a member of her high school's cross country and track teams and was described as 'an outstanding scholar athlete' by Cherokee County School District Superintendent Brian Hightower.

She was also a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.