Overview

• Virgilio Aguilar Mendez, a 19-year-old Guatemalan illegal immigrant accused in the death of a Florida police sergeant, has been released from ICE custody.
• Charges against Mendez were dropped after an autopsy revealed the sergeant died of natural causes due to cardiac dysrhythmia.
• The incident occurred in May 2023 when Sgt. Michael Kunovich approached Mendez for suspicious behavior, leading to a physical confrontation.
• Defense argued Mendez was confused and unable to understand English, contributing to the decision to drop charges.
• The case has sparked debate over law enforcement practices and the treatment of immigrants in custody.