ICE: Sanilac murder suspects are in U.S. illegally

SANDUSKY — A brother and sister, accused of killing a 42-year-old woman in Sanilac County, are illegal immigrants, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed Thursday.

Leobardo Torres-Castillo, 20, and Francisca Vargas-Castillo, 33, are each charged with single counts of open murder and concealing the death of an individual.

"Both are unlawfully present citizens of Mexico," stated Khaalid H. Walls, an ICE official, in an email to the Tribune. "Both individuals are currently subject to immigration detainers, which means they will be turned over to ICE at the conclusion of the criminal proceedings."

"They are here illegally," he added. "Our records indicate that they are here unlawfully."

Walls also confirmed the victim in the case, Bricia Flores-Rivera, also was illegally in the country.

The siblings are scheduled to appear Tuesday in Sanilac County District Court for a probable cause conference. A preliminary examination is set for Sept. 18.

The two were charged after authorities found Flores-Rivera dead Saturday in Buel Township. The victim's boyfriend called police and reported her missing from their home on Aitken Road in Flynn Township, which is where the defendants resided as well.

"They lived in the same home," Sanilac County Sheriff Garry Biniecki told the Tribune of the relationship between the siblings and victim.

"We're not done investigating. We've been following up on this since Saturday morning and will continue to do so," Biniecki added. "These cases take weeks and months with new information always coming out."

If convicted, the immigration process would follow the criminal case.

"If they are convicted and sentenced, they would serve the prison term and then be turned over to ICE at the full conclusion of their prison sentences," Walls stated.

The Castillos remain lodged in the Sanilac County Jail on $1 million cash bonds.