Image Credit: DHS 
Federal authorities have confirmed that a suspect charged with attempted murder for slashing a woman’s throat and leaving her to die in Utah is an illegal alien from Mexico.
The horrific attack unfolded on Mar. 18 in Salt Lake City, as we previously reported.
Police responded to reports of a woman “crying and moaning” in an alley and found the victim a short time later.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed the victim trapped under a wheelbarrow before emerging and stumbling through the alley in apparent physical distress.
Investigators identified a suspect and 30-year-old Jesus Alejandro Ramirez-Padilla was taken into custody a short time later.
Ramirez-Padilla reportedly told authorities he and the woman smoked meth together and admitted he “had been having thoughts of killing someone, and today, he decided that he was going to kill (the woman).”
“Jesus said he strangled (the woman) from behind while they were both standing until (she) became unconscious and fell to the ground. Once on the ground, Jesus placed his hands around (her) neck and continued (choking her).”
“Jesus said he wanted to take (the woman) out of her misery and then used a blade to cut her throat two or three times. Jesus told detectives he intended to kill (the woman). Jesus told detectives his state of mind was altered from ingesting drugs,” an arrest affidavit stated.
The victim was rushed to a local hospital in critical but stable condition.
Ramirez-Padilla was charged with attempted murder, obstruction of justice, aggravated assault, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia and is currently being held at the Salt Lake City Jail.
On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed that Ramirez-Padilla is an illegal alien from Mexico who entered the U.S. at an unknown location and date.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer against Ramirez-Padilla and is urging local authorities to not release him back into the community.
“Jesus Alejandro Ramirez-Padilla is a dangerous criminal illegal alien who violently strangled and slit a woman’s throat multiple times,” said DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis.
“We are calling on politicians to not release this barbaric criminal from jail and into American neighborhoods. This criminal illegal alien has no place in American communities.”
