Cortez Masto Advisor Killed by Man Who Entered US Illegally

Elmer Rueda-Linares has been arrested in connection with the death of Kurt Englehart, a Senior Advisor to Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. Rueda-Linares entered the country illegally in March 2021 and is currently being detained in the Washoe County Jail on $100,000 bond.

Mark Robison of the Reno Gazette Journal (RGJ) reports:

Elmer Rueda-Linares was in a two-vehicle crash about 4:30 a.m. April 6 at Kietzke and Peckham lanes that killed Kurt Englehart, state senior adviser to Cortez Masto, a Democrat.

On April 8, federal officers placed an immigration detainer — or “ICE hold”— on Rueda-Linares, who is being held at Washoe County Jail, the Department of Homeland Security told the RGJ in a statement Tuesday.

The initial charge against Rueda-Linares of felony hit-and-run has been changed to failing to stop at the scene of an accident, according to the sheriff’s office. He is being held on $100,000 bail.

“Rueda entered the United States March 12, 2021, at or near the Rio Grande City, Texas, Port of Entry without inspection by an immigration official,” DHS told the RGJ. “United States Customs and Border Protection arrested him, and he was later released on his own recognizance June 22, 2021.”

Two days prior to his illegal entry into the United States, Cortez Masto, in an interview with MSNBC on March 10, warned that it is “misinformation” to claim there are open borders under the Biden Administration. “There are no open borders,” Cortez Masto said, “There are so many children! These children are fleeing for their lives.”

Rueda was approximately 15 years old when he illegally entered the country. He was arrested and released by Border Patrol. Three years later he fled for his life by fleeing the scene of a fatal accident.

“Sen. Cortez Masto looks forward to justice being served and has confidence in the local police and prosecutors,” Cortez Masto spokesperson Lauren Wodarski said Tuesday in a statement to the RGJ.

Since President Joe Biden assumed office, his administration has released approximately 4.6 million illegal aliens into the interior of the United States which represents approximately 85 percent of those encountered, detained and released.

#BREAKING: @Jim_Jordan Subpoenas DHS Secretary Mayorkas for Information on How Many Illegal Aliens Have Been Released into the Country pic.twitter.com/fczL4miMqx

— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) April 17, 2024

According to numerous reports, nearly eight million illegal aliens have entered the country since January 2021, surpassing the population of 36 states and double the population of Nevada.

The National Republican Congressional Committee’s spokesperson Delanie Bomar told The Globe, “The open border crisis has hit home hard – causing the tragic death of a Nevada congressional staffer – but extreme Democrats Dina Titus, Susie Lee and Steven Horsford don’t care. They are open border advocates who would rather sing Biden’s praises than get real about the deadly effects of the open southern border.”

The Globe has reached out to the Washoe County Sheriff’s office for clarification and comment and will update the story with their response when received.