An Ohio sheriff took to social media to express his frustration with nearby police departments for not detaining an undocumented immigrant who had been previously arrested for driving under the influence and later caused a severe accident.
The suspect, 27-year-old Johen Perez-Ventura, was apprehended by the Butler County Sheriff’s Department after allegedly crossing the center line while driving in the early hours of November 20, resulting in a head-on collision with another vehicle.
The crash left the other driver, 28-year-old Courtney Steinmetz, a local nurse and volunteer cheerleading coach, injured.
Upon their arrival, deputies reportedly discovered an open container of alcohol in Perez-Ventura’s vehicle at the scene of the crash.
Further investigation revealed that Perez-Ventura, originally from Guatemala, was in the United States illegally and had a prior criminal record.
Sheriff Richard Jones did not hold back his feelings, using strong language to criticize Perez-Ventura’s past actions, and pledged to ensure he faces justice in an American prison.
‘I’m here to tell you about how disgusted I am over this incident,’ Jones said.
He described Steinmetz as a hardworking nurse living her dream and giving back to the community when her life changed in an instant.
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones issued a strong message to neighboring police departments for alleged lapses in detaining an undocumented migrant
Nurse Courtney Steinmetz was injured in the crash on November 20
Authorities believe Johen Perez-Ventura was driving under the influence when he swerved over the center lane and hit an oncoming car head-on. The aftermath of the crash is pictured
Jones revealed that Perez-Ventura had been arrested on similar charges four times before the horror crash.
He called the system ‘broken’ and said the department apprehended Perez-Ventura with help from Immigration and Customs Enforcement after the crash.
Jones pulled up Perez-Ventura’s mugshot and accused him of having a ‘smirk’ on his face.
‘But I promise you – he won’t be deported again because he’s come across the border twice. He’s gonna get a little taste of American prison. He won’t like it,’ the sheriff declared.
‘This lowlife is lying in my jail, getting three meals a day, whining and crying, probably doesn’t like the conditions, which they’re a whole lot better than he deserves,’ he added.
Perez-Ventura was apprehended at the southern border in Texas in 2019 by ICE and deported to Guatemala, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.
At some point in the next few years, he returned to the US and was arrested on assault charges in 2023 in Cincinnati.
Perez-Ventura was then arrested for driving under the influence in West Chester County that same year, but was later released.
A ‘grinning’ Perez-Ventura, 27, is pictured in his mugshot. He was detained at the border in Texas in 2019 by ICE and deported to Guatemala but re-entered the country
Jones slammed the neighboring department for releasing Perez-Ventura, adding that the man didn’t have a valid license to be driving in the US.
‘That’s appalling,’ the sheriff added.
He blamed the West Chester Police Department for the decision, adding that he hopes the police chief is sued.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the department for comment.
Jones then noted that Perez-Ventura had two other citations for driving under the influence in 2024 in Hamilton County.
The Butler County Sheriff’s Office said an investigation is still ongoing into how Perez-Ventura obtained a fake driver’s license and whose car he was driving.
Jones then issued a chilling message: ‘Keep in mind – Courtney needs our help with the GoFundMe page. Let’s show her some love. And I’m gonna take care of this Johen guy.’
The police chief said he visited Steinmetz in the hospital, and she’s suffering from multiple broken bones.
A GoFundMe set up for the nurse said she is in excruciating pain from a fractured sternum, broken right wrist, and a shattered vertebra.
The victim of the crash, Steinmetz, is a registered nurse and volunteer cheerleading coach
A GoFundMe set up for Steinmetz said she suffered serious injuries and required neurosurgery
A loose bone penetrated her spinal column, which left her unstable for 24 hours, and she required neurosurgery.
Steinmetz couldn’t move for a day before the surgery and had pins and rods placed in her back to stabilize her.
Meanwhile, Perez-Ventura has been charged with aggravated vehicular assault, driving without a license, and obstruction of justice.
He appeared in court on Monday and claimed he wasn’t driving the vehicle but was moving it. He hasn’t yet entered a plea for the charges against him.
The Daily Mail has reached out to ICE for additional comment.
