I arrested Laken Rileys killer in NYC 6 months before her murder sanctuary cities failed her and all Americans

Ethan Curreri is a former New York City police office who arrested Laken Riley’s killer for a lesser crime six months before the illegal migrant was released — thanks to New York’s sanctuary policies — and moved to Georgia.Curreri was invited by President Trump to speak at the Angel Family event at the White House in February 2025, where the families of victims of criminal migrants gathered.

Curreri is now a an officer with the Juno Beach Police Department in Florida.I began my law enforcement career with the NYPD assigned to the 113th Precinct in South Jamaica, Queens. I’ve walked into many difficult scenes as a police officer, but nothing compares to standing in a room full of broken hearts at the White House.On Feb.23, 2026, President Donald Trump hosted the Angel Family Remembrance Ceremony honoring those who lost their lives at the hands of illegal immigrants.

The President gave me the opportunity to share the story that connects me to the families of those victims.In August 2023, my partner and I observed a male recklessly driving a motorcycle with a 2-year-old child.The child was not wearing a helmet, and there were no safety restraints in place.

We conducted a routine stop, identified the individual operating the vehicle, placed him under arrest for endangering the welfare of a child, and processed him accordingly.It was a standard law enforcement action, one that officers make every day.I didn’t expect to hear anything further about it — until I did. In late February of 2024, I was watching the news about the brutal murder of a young Georgia nursing student.

The suspect’s picture flashed on the screen, and I recognized him immediately.It was Jose Ibarra, the man my partner and I had arrested and booked six months earlier.He was now identified as the man responsible for murdering Laken Riley while she was out for a morning run in a park near the University of Georgia.My heart sank.

I immediately replayed Ibarra’s arrest in my mind �...