Tom Pappert, lead reporter at The Tennessee Star, detailed the recent incidents of criminal activity committed by illegal aliens in Tennessee, particularly in Nashville and Memphis.
On Wednesday’s edition of The Michael Patrick Leahy Show, Pappert reported on two major developments: the arrest of an illegal alien teenager involved in a high-speed police chase in Nashville, and the Department of Homeland Security’s release of information on illegal aliens arrested in Memphis as part of the federal Memphis Safe Task Force.
Last week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) identified Gelsen Verela Dubon, an illegal immigrant from Honduras, as the 18-year-old who was arrested earlier following a high speed chase with Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD).
After Dubon was arrested, MNPD said that officers recovered three handguns and a rifle. Further reporting claims one of the firearms recovered had previously been reported stolen.
Dubon is charged with felony weapon possession, gun possession during the commission of a felony, evading arrest, and possession of burglary tools. He is currently being held on a detainer requested by ICE
In this case, Pappert criticized local authorities, especially Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and MNPD, for omitting Dubon’s immigration status in official reports.
“Unfortunately, because of Freddie O’Connell and the policies in place by Metro Nashville Police Department…They neglected to note that this individual Gelsen Verela Dubon, an illegal immigrant from Honduras,” Pappert said.
Further, Pappert criticized O’Connell for refusing to cooperate with immigration enforcement.
“Freddie O’Connell is being very silent…The mayor is doing very little, in fact, nothing. He won’t lift a finger to help the federal authorities,” Pappert said.
Turning to Memphis, Pappert highlighted a more proactive response to illegal immigration as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the names of 11 recently arrested illegal aliens, many of whom face serious criminal charges, including sexual offenses, gang activity, and aggravated assault.
Pappert praised Memphis Mayor Paul Young for cooperating with federal authorities and supporting efforts to reduce crime through these arrests, noting that these efforts have reportedly led to a 45 percent drop in serious crimes and over 1,300 arrests.
“The Memphis mayor has said this is an opportunity to lower crime that’s going to build on the wonderful things that the Democrats were already doing to lower crime, which is a bit of a joke, and said that it is getting the most dangerous and most frequent offenders off the street,” Pappert said.
“So far, we’re seeing a 45 percent decrease in the number of serious crimes committed in the city, a 17 percent decrease in total calls to the police, and a massive 1,329 arrests,” he added.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
