An illegal alien from Honduras is facing a slew of charges for killing a pedestrian in North Carolina this month, authorities say.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just provided us with immigration history on Mauricio Josue Alberto Sarmiento, 21, who is currently being held at the Jackson County Detention Center.
On Aug. 2, police and first responders located the body of 51-year-old James Robert Bagley III, in a roadway in Sylva, a town in Western North Carolina.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Bagley, identified by investigators as Alberto Sarmiento, fled the scene but was eventually apprehended on Aug. 7.
Alberto Sarmiento was charged with Felony Hit and Run Resulting in Serious Injury or Death, No Liability Insurance, Driving While License Revoked, Exceeding Safe Speed, and Failure to Reduce Speed.
Documentation: pic.twitter.com/acHVpeYmRT
— Illegal Alien Crimes (@ImmigrantCrimes) August 12, 2026
On Tuesday, DHS confirmed that Alberto Sarmiento is a Honduran national who was unleashed into the U.S. after illegally crossing the southern border into Texas as an “unaccompanied minor” in 2021.
“This criminal illegal alien from Honduras has been charged with a felony and other crimes after a hit-and-run that killed a man in Sylva, North Carolina,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
“If it weren’t for the Biden Administration’s disastrous open borders, James Bagley would still be alive. ICE is asking officials in Jackson County to cooperate and not release this criminal from jail without notifying ICE.”
During the investigation, Bagley’s daughter Emily implored her father’s killer to come forward.
“My dad would’ve given the clothes off his back and his last bite to help anyone around,” she said.
“I remember all the good times we shared in my childhood and, if anyone would come forward I’m not looking to ruin their lives, I just want to know why they didn’t stop and tell them my dad was a hard worker and a great guy all around for those who knew of him. He struggled mentally but didn’t let it stop him from shining.”
