U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement gave the Leon County Sheriff's Office notice that it plans to detain an undocumented El Salvador man who was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder.
Luis Olla-Hernandez, 29, was arrested Saturday, Aug. 22 in connection with a homicide that occurred in southwest Leon County. Investigators have released almost no details about the case, including the manner of death, when the killing took place or the name, age or gender of the victim.
Olla-Hernandez is being held without bond at the Leon County Detention Facility. People who are in the U.S. illegally and face criminal charges aren't typically turned over to ICE until their case is resolved locally.
LCSO spokeswoman Shonda Knight told the Democrat on Sunday, Aug. 23 that it was "still a very active investigation" and that more details could be released Monday, Aug, 24.
The immigration detainer form says Olla-Hernandez is "a member of a foreign terrorist organization; and/or otherwise poses a risk to national security, border security or public safety."
In early 2025, President Donald Trump designated several Latin American drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, a move intended to give U.S. authorities broader powers to target the groups. The detainer does not name any specific group.
The immigration detainer says that DHS determined Olla-Hernandez is a "removable alien" based on pending ongoing removal proceedings against him, statements he made to immigration officers and biometric confirmation of his identity.
The detainer serves as official notification that ICE plans to take custody of the suspect. It was sent by DHS's office at the Krome Detention Center in Miami to the Leon County jail.
During Olla-Hernandez's first court appearance Aug. 24, Leon County Judge Stephanie Newlin ordered him to have no contact with the victim's family. She also ordered him held without bond and entered a provisional order granting him a public defender.
(This is a developing story. Check back for details).
Contact Jeff Burlew at [email protected] or 850-599-2180.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: ICE issues detainer for Leon County murder suspect