Zeldin Speaks Out On Murder Of Greenport Woman By 'Illegal Alien'

GREENPORT, NY — After a woman was murdered in Greenport in July, Rep. Lee Zeldin released a statement Monday regarding the man charged with allegedly strangling her to death.

Jaime DeLeon-Tito was charged with second degree murder in the death of Michelle Schiavoni, who was found dead in her home at 325 2nd Street on July 10; Suffolk Police Homicide Squad detectives located DeLeon-Tito on Osborne Avenue in Riverhead the next day and charged him, police said.

The Second Street home was the same residence where a brutal machete attack took place in August, 2016, Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley said.

On Monday, Zeldin said DeLeon-Tito was an "illegal alien" who was previously deported from the United States.

“Mr. Jaime De Leon-Tino, who was previously deported from the United States, was once again in our country illegally without authorization after the first removal," Zeldin said. "He illegally entered our country, was deported, re-entered illegally, and is now being detained for the murder of an innocent NY-1 resident and U.S. citizen. Where did the system fail?"

He continued, "If convicted of the crime, Mr. DeLeon-Tino should serve the max time and then be deported immediately."

To prevent the "tragic and senseless" murder of innocent Americans, the federal government should increase penalties for those who return after they are deported, Zeldin said.

"When the United States deports criminals, it is essential that they do not return to do us additional harm," he said.

To that end, Zeldin said he cosponsors H.R. 3004 or “Kate’s Law,” which would mandate a five-year prison sentence for illegal immigrants who return following deportation.

The bill was introduced in the 114th Congress by Congressman Matt Salmon of Arizona in the wake of Kathryn Steinle’s murder at the hands of Francisco Sanchez, "a seven-time convicted felon and an illegal immigrant who had been deported from the United States five times, Zeldin said.

Kate’s Law passed the House of Representatives on June 29; the bill now awaits action in the U.S. Senate.

But some are skeptical of Zeldin's motives.

Kathryn Casey Quigley, who lives in Greenport near where the murder was committed, addressed Zeldin's comments Monday.

"I was saddened and horrified to learn of Michelle Schiavone's death. I am relieved to hear that the perpetrator has been identified and is in custody," she said. "However, I am not more concerned about my safety or the safety of my village based on this isolated crime. We have a sizable, hardworking, kind and friendly immigrant community, and I worry that they may be wrongly targeted due to this incident and the additional press attention it will receive as a result of the Congressman's statement."

She added that while she shared Zeldin's belief that if convicted of the crime, DeLeon-Tino should serve the appropriate penalty as determined by the nation's legal system, and agrees that criminals who are deported should not be allowed to return to the country, "I am skeptical of the Congressman's motivations for releasing a statement about this crime, especially at a time of heightened anti-immigrant sentiment and racism nation-wide."

And, said Casey Quigley, "I am concerned that Congressman Zeldin's statement perpetuates the inaccurate perception that immigrants are a significant source of violent crime in our community. In fact, research shows that even immigrants who have entered illegally are less likely to commit crimes. Politicizing a single violent incident, rather than relying on and disseminating accurate data, may only further harmful stereotypes and bias that serve to further divide our community."

At his arraignment, DeLeon-Tito pleaded not guilty before State Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro; he was held on $1 million cash bail or $2 million bond.