Brother of man accused of murdering 22-year-old nursing student on UGA campus denied bond

MACON, Ga. — The brother of a man accused of killing a 22-year-old nursing student on the University of Georgia campus has been denied bond and is in federal custody.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Laken Riley was found dead on a running trail on the UGA campus on Feb. 22. A day later, Venezuelan national Jose Ibarra, 26, was arrested on murder charges in her death.

RELATED STORIES:

• Laken Riley murder: Affidavits reveal disturbing details about death of 22-year-old nursing student
• PHOTOS: UGA gathers for vigil honoring 2 students who died on campus last week
• Vigil held in Athens honoring 2 students who died on UGA campus
• New court documents claim brother of Laken Riley murder suspect likely a member of Venezuelan gang

His brother, Diego Ibarra, 28, was also arrested for presenting a fake green card to officers.

On Thursday, the elder Irbarra was led out of a Macon courtroom in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit. He will remain in federal custody in Butts County. A grand jury will get the case on Tuesday.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Ibarra faces a maximum of ten years in prison if he is convicted.

Prosecutors argued that Ibarra appears to have ties to a Venezuelan gang and would have been a flight risk.

New court documents claim brother of Laken Riley murder suspect likely a member of Venezuelan gang A new motion requesting the detention of the brother of a man accused of murdering a 22-year-old nursing student on the University of Georgia campus

©2023 Cox Media Group