The Venezuelan national, a member of the Tren de Aragua gang, received two life sentences and additional years after his conviction.
Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan national and member of the criminal Tren de Aragua gang, has been sentenced to two life sentences plus 49 years after being convicted of murdering University of Georgia student Laken Riley. The conviction followed a four-day trial where Ibarra was found guilty of ten charges, including malice murder and felony murder.
Riley, a nursing student, was killed on February 22 while jogging near her campus in Athens, Georgia. Ibarra attacked her with a rock, repeatedly striking her head. In court, the victim’s family and friends delivered emotional victim impact statements, including a poignant letter from Riley’s stepfather, who read her final journal entry addressed to her “future husband,” in which she expressed her desire to be “the best wife” she could be through her Christian faith.
Riley’s mother, Allyson, spoke about the enduring pain of losing her daughter, saying, “There’s no end to the pain, suffering and loss we have experienced and will continue to endure.” Her younger sister Lauren also reflected on the loss of her “favorite person” and “biggest role model.” During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence of Riley’s last moments, including a series of text messages and phone calls to her mother that went unanswered as the attack began.
After deliberating for only 19 minutes, Judge Patrick Haggard handed down the verdict while Riley’s family tearfully listened. Ibarra showed no visible reaction as the sentence was read through a translator.
The case drew national attention as the murder sparked heated debate about immigration policy. President-elect Donald Trump shared his thoughts on social media, writing, “We love you, Laken, and our hearts will always be with you. It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!”
