ICE arrests scottish man convicted of murder after release from Florida prison and prepares for his deportation.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the detention of Phillip Harkins, a Scottish undocumented immigrant convicted of murder, immediately following his release from the Florida Department of Corrections on August 18.
Harkins is currently detained at the Baker County Detention Center in Macclenny, Florida, pending his removal from the United States. ICE reports that an immigration judge issued a deportation order for Harkins in August 2002.
The Scotsman served a 25-year prison sentence for the 1999 murder of a U.S. citizen during a drug-related transaction.
“ICE remains steadfast in ensuring that undocumented criminals cannot escape justice or remain unlawfully in our country,” stated Garrett Ripa, Field Office Director for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Miami.
“This detention highlights our unwavering dedication to upholding immigration laws and removing dangerous individuals who pose a threat to public safety. Undocumented immigrants who break our laws and harm American citizens will face severe legal consequences, including deportation,” Ripa emphasized.
Harkins served a 25-year sentence for the murder of a U.S. citizen during a drug transaction in 1999.
“This arrest underscores our commitment to enforcing immigration laws and deporting dangerous individuals who threaten the safety of our communities. Undocumented aliens who violate our laws and harm American citizens will face the full weight of the law and be deported,” he added.
Criminal background.
Harkins’ criminal record dates back to June 13, 1996, when the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested him for possessing a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon. On January 13, 1997, the Duval County Court found him guilty of these charges.
On February 4, 2000, authorities arrested Harkins for homicide. After posting bail, he fled to Scotland to avoid prosecution in Duval County, according to ICE.
Following an extended extradition battle in Scotland, Harkins was extradited to the United States. On May 17, 2018, he was convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery.
The court sentenced him to 25 years in prison, granting him credit for 5,631 days served in the United Kingdom for unrelated charges.
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