Mexican National Faces Deportation After Conviction in Nashville Restaurant Owner’s Death

Federal immigration authorities have filed a detainer against Ulises Raigoza-Martinez, a Mexican national convicted of fatally striking Nashville restaurant owner Matt Carney during a July 2024 incident. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is seeking custody of Raigoza-Martinez following his completion of a 20-year prison sentence to facilitate removal proceedings, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Raigoza-Martinez pleaded guilty Tuesday to murder, theft exceeding $10,000, tampering with evidence, and an additional theft charge exceeding $2,500. Authorities allege that on June 19, 2024, he attempted to steal tools from Carney’s pickup truck in the parking lot of Smokin’ Thighs restaurant in Nashville before fleeing in a vehicle and striking the 42-year-old owner.

Carney was thrown onto the hood and then the pavement when Raigoza-Martinez sped away. The restaurant owner died from his injuries at a Nashville hospital on July 4, 2024, two weeks after the incident. Police apprehended Raigoza-Martinez in South Nashville on July 18, 2024.

DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated that Raigoza-Martinez “should NEVER have been in our country to commit this heinous murder,” noting the agency entered the nation illegally through Texas in 2021. Federal officials vowed to coordinate with Tennessee authorities to ensure his transfer to ICE custody upon release so he can be deported.