Arizona Rancher, 73, arrested on $1 million bail for allegedly killing an illegal alien on her property

A 73-year-old Arizona rancher is on $1 million bail after a man believed to be a Mexican national was shot and killed on the rancher’s property.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office in Nogales, Arizona, said George Alan Kelly, 73, was arrested last week and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the January 30 incident, the Associated Press reported.

The report said the victim was identified as Gabriel Cuen-Butimea, 48, from Nogales, Mexico, based on a Mexican voter registration card found on the body.

According to the British Daily Mail, citing federal court records, Cuen-Butimea crossed the southern border illegally in the past and was deported back to Mexico several times. It says that he was last deported in 2016.

Deputy Chief Sheriff Gerardo Castillo said the murder took place in Movie Springs at the location listed for Kelly’s ranch.

This place was about a mile and a half north of the Mexican border.

“It does not appear that Mr. Kelly and the deceased knew each other,” Castillo said, according to Nogales International.

At 14:40 on January 30, the border guard received a message about a “possible active shooter.” The report stated that “a group of people were running” and stated that the person who compiled the report “wasn’t sure if he was also being shot at.”

The entry stated that the person who reported the incident was “Allen”.

Although deputies found nothing when they responded, a second report around 6 p.m. resulted in deputies finding the body about 100–150 yards from Kelly’s home.

According to Castillo, the dead man was shot once.

He said that Kelly was arrested because “the investigation initially showed that he had fired in the area.”

Castillo said officials did not know what weapon was used to kill Cuen-Butimea.

He is 73 years old and he felt threatened. Biden must enforce the boundaries. Sad loss of life.

— Lee (@Leigh_ATL_SAV) February 7, 2023

During a January 31 appearance in Nogales court, Kelly asked Justice of the Peace Emilio Velázquez to reduce bail because his wife would be left alone on their ranch.

“She is there alone… there is no one to take care of her, of the livestock. Or a ranch. And I’m not going anywhere. I can’t find a million dollars. Is there… Could you reduce it to any extent? he said, according to Nogales International.

The request was denied.