An illegal immigrant previously released into the United States has pleaded not guilty to the brutal murder of a 52-year-old Georgia grandmother.
David Hector Rivas-Sagastume, a 21-year-old Honduran national, entered the plea on Monday in connection with the death of Camillia Williams.
Cobb County Police began investigating after Williams’ body was discovered in bushes in a yard on the 200 block of Pat Mell Road near South Cobb Drive. Following a multi-day investigation in the neighborhood, police charged Rivas-Sagastume with the killing.
READ: Florida Rep. Steube, House Report Blast FBI Over Downplaying 2017 Baseball Terror
According to an arrest warrant, Rivas-Sagastume physically assaulted Williams, placing her in a chokehold until she lost consciousness. He then allegedly applied his full body weight with both knees to her neck, resulting in her death. The murder is believed to have occurred between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. on March 12.
Rivas-Sagastume has been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault. He is currently being held without bond in Cobb County.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Rivas-Sagastume illegally entered the United States on March 17, 2021, and was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol.
According to the agency, he was issued a notice to appear and paroled into the country by the previous administration. A judge ordered his removal on July 11, 2023.
READ: Pentagon Orders Significant Reduction In General And Flag Officer Ranks
Camillia Williams’ family expressed their grief and disbelief to Fox 5 in March. Her brother, Arsene Williams, stated, “If you take someone’s life, your life is nothing to me.” The family was particularly distressed to learn from ICE that Rivas-Sagastume was illegally in the country.
Arsene Williams told the outlet that Rivas-Sagastume was “kind of stalking her, waiting for her to be by herself, then he strangled her.”
The family is convinced that Camillia would still be alive if Rivas-Sagastume had been deported after his entry in 2021.
“In March 2025, my sister lost her life because the system failed to deport him after they had him in custody,” Arsene said. The family, originally from Louisiana, plans to attend the trial in Georgia.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
