November 29, 2025
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Ohio sheriff: Undocumented driver charged after crash

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones announced charges against Johen Perez-Ventura, a 27-year-old undocumented Guatemalan national, after a Nov. 20 head-on crash on Route 747 in Liberty Township that seriously injured nurse Courtney Steinmetz. Jones said Perez-Ventura faces aggravated vehicular assault, driving without a license, and obstruction charges, cited multiple prior DUI and assault arrests and a 2019 deportation, and noted ICE apprehended him following the incident.

Immigration Enforcement Ohio Crime and Courts

📌 Key Facts

  • Suspect: Johen Perez-Ventura, 27, undocumented from Guatemala; charged with aggravated vehicular assault, no license, obstruction
  • Crash date/location: Nov. 20, Route 747, Liberty Township, Ohio; victim is RN Courtney Steinmetz with spine, wrist, and ankle injuries
  • Sheriff says Perez-Ventura was deported in 2019 and had multiple 2023–2024 arrests for DUI and assault; ICE made the latest apprehension

📊 Relevant Data

Undocumented immigrants were 37.1% less likely to be convicted of a crime than native-born individuals.

Immigrants less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born — NPR

Self-reported rates of DUI were highest among White men (22%), Native American/Native Alaskan men (20.8%) and men of Mixed race (22.5%).

Driving under the influence (DUI) among U.S. ethnic groups — ScienceDirect

Twelve-month arrest rates for DUI were highest among men of Mixed race (5%) and Native American/Native Alaskan men (3.2%).

Driving under the influence (DUI) among U.S. ethnic groups — ScienceDirect

Among Hispanic men, 21% of Mexican Americans, 19.9% of South/Central Americans, 11.6% of Puerto Ricans and 6.9% of Cuban Americans reported DUI.

The Hispanic Americans Baseline Alcohol Survey (HABLAS): Rates ... — PMC

Whites had the highest accident proportions for driving under the influence (7.0%), followed by Hispanics (6.4%); Blacks had the lowest proportion (3.7%).

The Role of Race/Ethnicity in Alcohol-attributable Injury in the United ... — PMC

Undocumented immigration may increase violence by economically disadvantaging low-skilled U.S.-born workers.

DOES UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRATION INCREASE VIOLENT ... — PMC

Counties with larger populations of undocumented immigrants had lower rates of violent crime.

The Safety of Sanctuary Cities and the Immigrant Revitalization ... — National Immigration Law Center