Restoration News has reported that Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin permitted a violent illegal immigrant, arrested with a gun and drugs, to avoid jail through a plea deal requiring therapy and a gun safety course. The individual later committed a fatal robbery spree.
According to Restoration News, Yonathan Zelaya-Beltran, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was arrested in February 2023 after police discovered narcotics and a concealed firearm in his possession. Instead of charging him with unlawful firearm possession, which is classified as a Class 6 felony in Virginia, prosecutors under McEachin agreed to a plea deal requiring Beltran to complete therapy, community service, and a gun safety course. The outlet reported that the court documents acknowledged this plea might compromise Beltran’s immigration status; however, he was not deported and later reoffended violently.
Restoration News further reported that in September 2023, Richmond’s Department of Justice Services conducted a “risk-need assessment” and classified Beltran as low risk for reoffending. Nevertheless, on February 7, 2024, Beltran and his accomplice Ronaldy Monterroso allegedly went on a robbery spree in South Richmond. Security cameras and witnesses identified the two men as the shooters involved in the killing of restaurant worker Marvin Ramos-Hernandez on his 40th birthday.
Another incident cited by Restoration News occurred on October 21, 2024, when a 19-year-old man was shot and killed outside El Gato Sports Bar in Richmond. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that suspects Danilo Isaias Duarte and Darwan Fernandez-Juarez were both illegally present in the country and now face murder charges. The report noted that Duarte arrived as a minor in 2013 while Juarez entered illegally in 2018; both fled the scene after the shooting which also left other victims injured.
Restoration News also highlighted cases involving other illegal immigrants repeatedly charged with firearm crimes in Richmond. Jorge Enamorado-Cruz was twice arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm in 2024 and 2025 despite having a prior identity theft conviction. Additionally, Jose Baca Gutierrez and Enri Paz Morales faced multiple charges for firearms and drug offenses. The publication underscored these incidents as consequences of Richmond’s refusal to cooperate with ICE.
According to its official website, Restoration News is an independent investigative media outlet covering political, cultural, and local issues with the said mission of exposing corruption, negligence, and mismanagement within government and public institutions. The outlet publishes original reports, commentary, and podcasts while positioning itself as an alternative to mainstream media. Its mission statement emphasizes watchdog journalism designed to hold leaders accountable and inform the public through fact-driven reporting.
