Federal Immigration Officials Seek Custody of Murder Suspect With Extensive Criminal Record

Federal immigration enforcement officials have filed a detainer request with Miami-Dade County authorities for William Serrano Domenech, 49, a Cuban national facing murder charges in connection with the August 17 killing of 42-year-old Raul Aballe. The Department of Homeland Security disclosed the action Tuesday, citing Domenech’s extensive criminal history spanning multiple states and serious offenses including drug trafficking and weapons violations.

According to investigators, Domenech allegedly shot Aballe during an altercation that erupted on a Miami street when the victim appeared while Domenech was with a witness. The confrontation escalated when Domenech began striking Aballe before retrieving a firearm from a fanny pack and firing at the victim’s abdomen. Aballe was transported to a hospital where he died from his injuries.

Domenech fled the scene but was apprehended the following day and has since admitted to the shooting, claiming he acted out of jealousy regarding Aballe’s relationship with the witness. The witness corroborated that Aballe was unarmed and did not initiate the physical confrontation, according to law enforcement accounts.

Domenech faces second-degree murder charges and a weapons possession count. His criminal background includes convictions in Michigan for cocaine distribution, marijuana possession, and firearm offenses, as well as arrests across Florida, New Mexico, and Tennessee for aggravated assault, burglary, vehicle theft, and other crimes.

A deportation order was issued against Domenech in 2002 following his entry into the United States through Florida in 1995. ICE placed him in custody in 2023 but subsequently released him, according to DHS statements. The agency has now filed a detainer to maintain custody pending immigration proceedings.