The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed an immigration detainer on Jose Melendez, the 54-year-old man accused of killing Worcester school aide Sandra "Buffy" Hehir.

An ICE official confirmed that a detainer was placed on Melendez, of Worcester, on March 20, the same day he was arraigned in Worcester Central District Court on a murder charge in connection with Hehir's killing.

A detainer is placed on people ICE believes can be deported from the United States. Court records show Melendez was born in the Dominican Republic.

Prosecutors said DNA collected from a 2000 rape case was used to link Melendez to Hehir's killing. The Worcester teacher's aide was found dead inside her 8 Congress St. apartment on Feb. 5.

An autopsy showed the 49-year-old's cause of death was homicide by means of strangulation.

Melendez pleaded not guilty to a murder charge during his arraignment. He denied knowing Hehir or ever being in her apartment.

Court documents said DNA was recovered from a beer can and Hehir's clothing. Melendez is currently being held without bail.

Prosecutor Cheryl Riddle said during the arraignment that the DNA match came from an unsolved rape in Worcester. Melendez was a suspect in the case and had consented to a DNA swab.

Records show Melendez was arrested on a warrant out of Lynn District Court after he defaulted on probation for a 2014 breaking and entering conviction.

A prosecutor said Melendez has several aliases and he faced criminal charges in New York and Florida.