U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that a previously deported Mexican national with a long criminal history has been charged with six counts of murder following a deadly crash in Napa County, California.
Norberto Celerino, 53, who has used multiple aliases including Norberto (Beto) Celerino Villalva, Grabien Martinez, and Roberto Savaringo-Diabla, was allegedly driving under the influence when his vehicle struck a tree on Sept. 7, killing six passengers and severely injuring another. Prosecutors said this marks his fourth DUI arrest, and he faces additional charges related to unlawful reentry into the United States.
ICE officials told KRON4 that Celerino, a criminal alien from Mexico, first entered the U.S. illegally in 1995 and has been removed multiple times. “Since his first illegal entry, he has been arrested several times for possession of cocaine and multiple DUIs, and removed multiple times from the United States,” an ICE spokesperson said.
According to ICE, Celerino’s criminal record and repeated returns to the U.S. illustrate the public-safety dangers caused by California’s sanctuary laws, which restrict local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. “His continued disregard for the laws within the United States, and California’s sanctuary laws, has led to this tragic incident,” the spokesperson said. “Sanctuary laws continue to place the American public in danger and only protect the criminal aliens.”
The six victims are Pedro Lopez Gomez, 57; Fernando Silverio, 34; Demetrio Celerino Francisco, 39; Beymar Reynosa Rodriguez, 32; Aaron Ruiz, 39; and Loreto Ricardo Hernandez, 42. Local officials said all were passengers in the car Celerino was driving when he lost control and crashed into a tree.
Celerino’s immigration history includes numerous arrests, prior removals, and at least one drug-related conviction. Federal officials said he has shown a “pattern of criminal behavior and total disregard for the rule of law.” ICE has now lodged a detainer request with Napa County Jail to ensure federal custody following state proceedings.
The Napa County District Attorney’s Office said Celerino’s blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit at the time of the crash and that the charges were upgraded from vehicular manslaughter to second-degree murder due to prior DUI convictions.
Federal officials said the tragedy highlights the consequences of sanctuary policies that prevent coordination with immigration enforcement. “This is another reminder of the cost of sanctuary policies,” one DHS official said. “When local officials refuse to cooperate with ICE, dangerous individuals are allowed to remain in our communities—sometimes with deadly results.”
