(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) A group of eight foreign nationals was arrested by police after allegedly looting an area in Tennessee that had been devastated by the severe flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
The men stand accused of looting one of the county’s flood zones in Washington County on Saturday, Headline USA can confirm.
Five of the men were charged with aggravated burglary, according to a statement made by a county jail official on Monday evening.
These individuals are Albin Nahun Vega-Rapalo, 24; David Bairon Rapalo-Rapalo, 37; Kevin Noe Martinez-Lopez, 25; Marvin Hernandez-Martinez, 43; and Dayln Gabriel Guillen Guillen, 37.
Three others—Jesus Leodan Garcia-Peneda, 51; Josue Berardo Ortis-Valdez, 30; and Ersy Leonel Ortis-Valdez, 33—were arrested for alleged burglary.
The New York Post and WJHL Channel 11 were the first to report the arrests, with the men initially identified as potential illegal aliens. The Post later verified that the individuals are migrant workers currently in the U.S. with work visas.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office did not respond to Headline USA’s phone calls on Monday evening.
A county jail official told Headline USA in a phone interview that the men are being held on a $20,000 bond and were not able to see a judge on Monday because the courthouse had closed.
The county jail official could not specify whether the alleged looting took place in a residential or commercial area.
Podcast host Calen Archer released video footage that he believed showed some of the men being arrested by Washington County deputy sheriffs. In the video, shared on X, two officers are seen holding two unidentified individuals with their hands cuffed.
Eight “migrants” have been arrested for looting and stealing from those in my area (East Tennessee) who have lost everything from the flooding.
I believe I have raw footage from the ground of these men – who can be seen in the video.
Albin Nahun Vega-Rapalo, 24; David Bairon… https://t.co/2HY0WgbK6j pic.twitter.com/clC5wszfQH
— American Archer (@CalenArcher) September 30, 2024
Conservative online personality Collin Rugg shared Archer’s video, referring to the men as ‘illegal aliens’ and citing reporting by NewsNation border correspondent Ali Bradley.
In a follow-up post, Bradley clarified that she had mistakenly reported the individuals’ immigration status.
⚠️ I removed a post regarding 8 men arrested in Washington County, Tennessee after a source questioned one of the men’s status due to the commonality of his name—Despite multiple credible sources confirming the details. If there’s even the slightest chance it’s not accurate, I…
— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) September 30, 2024
