TOMS RIVER, N.J. – A Mexican national was jailed in Ocean County over the weekend on a charge of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, according to county jail records.
The number of migrant related crashes in Ocean County is on the rise, but luckily, this time, a police officer was there to apprehend the suspect before another citizen was injured, or worse, killed.
Tomas Perez, 52, was committed to the Ocean County Jail on Sunday. The jail record identifies Perez as a citizen of Mexico who was also born in Mexico.
- Perez is charged under New Jersey’s drunk or drugged driving statute.
- Ocean County jail records identify him as a Mexican citizen and list a Sept. 6 commitment date.
- The booking record shows $1,500 cash bond and does not list an immigration detainer.
Perez Booked Into Ocean County Jail
The county inmate record lists a charge against Perez under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, New Jersey’s statute covering operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotics, hallucinogenic substances or habit-producing drugs.
The booking information describes the offense as “DRUNK OR DRUGGED DRIVER.”
Perez was booked under inmate number 15-240391 and remained listed at the jail’s main facility. No projected release date was included in the record provided.
The record lists an open cash bond of $1,500, set Sunday.
At this time, no detainer has been lodged by ICE, as a DWI is an event that could be a disqualifying event for a foreign national from an immigration visa. Under U.S. Department of State guidelines, any visa applicant with a single alcohol-related arrest or conviction within the last 5 years, or two or more within the last 10 years, must undergo a mandatory medical evaluation by an official U.S. panel physician.
Jail Record Lists Mexican Citizenship, No ICE Detainer
Ocean County’s inmate information identifies Perez’s citizenship and country of birth as Mexico.
However, the jail record specifically states, “There is no detainer information for this inmate.”
Perez’s charge remains an allegation. The jail record does not indicate that he has been convicted of the offense.
Tomas Perez was booked into the Ocean County Jail.
County records show a Sept. 6 commitment date and identify him as a citizen of Mexico.
Perez faces a drunk or drugged driving charge.
The booking record lists N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 as the charge against him.
The record does not list an ICE detainer.
Although Perez is identified as a Mexican citizen, the jail information provided contains no immigration detainer and does not establish his immigration status.
Sources: Ocean County inmate booking records
