Eight migrant workers have been arrested in Washington County, Tennessee, for allegedly looting occupied and unoccupied structures in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Tennessee authorities have apprehended eight migrant workers for allegedly plundering a flood-devastated region of the state following the passage of Hurricane Helene.
Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton announced on Facebook on Monday that deputies had detained eight men for looting in the flood-ravaged 107 area on Saturday.
Migrant Workers Arrested for Looting in Flood-Ravaged Tennessee
Five of the suspects, Albin Nahun Vega-Rapalo, 24, David Bairon Rapalo-Rapalo, 37, Kevin Noe Martinez-Lopez, 25, Marvin Hernandez-Martinez, 43, and Dayln Gabriel Guillen Guillen, 37, were charged with aggravated burglary into inhabited structures.
The remaining three, Jesus Leodan Garcia-Peneda, 51, Josue Berardo Ortis-Valdez, 30, and Ersy Leonel Ortis-Valdez, 33, are facing burglary charges.
Migrant Workers Arrested for Looting in Flood-Ravaged Tennessee
As of Monday, all eight suspects were being held in custody at the Washington County Detention Center on a $20,000 bond each, according to the sheriff's office. They were all expected to appear in court later that day.
The sheriff's office stated that its deputies are continuing to patrol the affected area, particularly along the flood zone, "during the catastrophic flooding."
Migrant Workers Arrested for Looting in Flood-Ravaged Tennessee
A spokesperson for the sheriff's office affirmed to Fox News Digital that all eight suspects are migrant workers who were legally present in the United States on work visas. However, the spokesperson noted that "that will change as a result of the charges."
The spokesperson emphasized that after dark, authorities will stop anyone found in flood zones, regardless of their appearance. "We have been through way too much for this kind of behavior," she said.
Migrant Workers Arrested for Looting in Flood-Ravaged Tennessee
The arrests occurred as the eastern part of Tennessee grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which brought heavy rainfall and flooding. Governor Bill Lee recently surveyed the damage, and at least 133 deaths across six Southeastern states have been attributed to the storm.
The death toll has been steadily rising as emergency responders reach areas previously isolated by collapsed roads, failing infrastructure, and widespread flooding. During a briefing on Monday, White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall estimated that as many as 600 individuals remained unaccounted for, with some potential fatalities.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
