Cop Killer Migrant Walks Free

In May 2023, Virgilio Aguilar Mendez, a 19-year-old Guatemalan illegal immigrant, was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a police officer following a scuffle with law enforcement officers in Florida. However, charges against him were dropped last month due to concerns about his intellectual capacity and inability to understand English.

The incident resulted in the death of St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Michael Kunovich, a 52-year-old veteran with a 25-year career in law enforcement.


Mendez’s release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody has sparked controversy, with many questioning the decision to drop the charges. The incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with individuals who do not speak English and may have limited intellectual capacity.

The conservative viewpoint on this issue emphasizes the importance of enforcing immigration laws and ensuring that individuals who commit crimes are held accountable. The release of Mendez raises concerns about the safety of law enforcement officers and the potential for similar incidents to occur in the future.

Some argue that the decision to drop the charges against Mendez sends the wrong message to both law enforcement and the public, potentially undermining the rule of law and public safety. It is important for the justice system to consider all factors in a case, including the defendant’s capacity to understand the charges against them, but this should not come at the expense of justice for the victims and their families.