Brother of man accused of killing UGA student faces fraudulent document charge

MACON – Diego Ibarra, a Venezuelan citizen charged with possessing a fraudulent green card in Athens on Feb. 23, will have a standard preliminary hearing regarding probable cause and the government’s motion to detain on Thursday at 10 a.m., as ordered by a U.S. Magistrate Judge at his initial appearance in federal court.

Ibarra, 28 is charged by criminal complaint with possession of a fraudulent document. If convicted, Ibarra faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. Ibarra is the brother of Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, of Venezuela, who is facing state charges for malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another in the homicide of Laken Hope Riley.

The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from FBI, GBI, Athens-Clarke County Police Department, University of Georgia Police Department and Clarke County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison is prosecuting the case.

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