Illegal Immigrant Sentenced to 20 Years to Life for Murder of Woman at New Rochelle Armory

Written By: Robert Cox

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Jose Olmos, 29, an illegal immigrant from Mexico was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the murder of a homeless woman in New Rochelle whose body was found near the Main Street armory last year. Supreme Court Judge Barry Warhit presided.

Jose F. Olmos, also known as Jose Olmos-Torres, is a Mexican national who entered the country illegally on at least three occasions and was deported twice. This according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency of the Department of Homeland Security.

A review of past police records show that Olmos was arrested by New Rochelle Police on September 19, 2016 and charged with Assault-3rd, a Class A Misdemeanor. Under City of New Rochelle policy, ICE was not notified of the arrest. 22 months later, Olmos savagely beat and killed a 66-year-old woman

“Jose Olmos-Torres, an illegally present citizen and national of Mexico, was previously removed from the U.S. as an expedited removal on two separate occasions in 2009,” said Rachael Yong Yow, Public Affairs Officer for ICE New York.

“At some point thereafter, Olmos-Torres illegally re-entered the U.S. in violation of immigration law for the third time.”

On July 28, 2018, ICE received notification that Olmos-Torres had been arrested in New Rochelle, New York, and charged with the offense of murder.

ICE placed a detainer with the New Rochelle City Police Department requesting the transfer of Olmos-Torres back into ICE custody following the adjudication of his criminal case and the completion of any corresponding jail sentences.

Olmos pleaded guilty May 23, 2019, to Murder in the Second Degree, a class A violent felony, to the brutal murder of 66-year-old Nurten Seljuk.

In court, the victim’s two sisters told the story of Seljuk’s life and the impact her death has had on them. They described a well-educated woman who through illness and divorce fell on hard times even as the family tried to help. Dervishe C. Bolvadin told the court, “I can’t stand the idea of her being remembered as a homeless lady left in the garbage,” and added, “She was a treasure, an unappreciated treasure. She deserved the best that life had to offer. Not this.”

Assistant District Attorney Christine O’Connor read a statement from their other sister, Fay Mirillo. She read, “Good forgive Jose Olmos for taking her life because I certainly cannot.”  She added, “I will remember Nurten for being both a sister and mom to me during my childhood…and I will try to fill the hole in my heart by nourishing the love we had for each other.”

On Friday, July 27, 2018, in the early morning hours, Olmos stalked the victim, Nurten Seljuk, as she pulled a piece of luggage in the area of Main Street, New Rochelle, to the abandoned naval armory building. Police were able to trace his steps by reviewing surveillance videos.

Sometime between approximately 3:30-4:30 a.m., Olmos murdered Nurten Seljuk in the vicinity of 270 Main St. She died from multiple blunt force trauma injuries and asphyxiation. Her body was found early Friday morning in the driveway of the armory grounds. New Rochelle police arrested Olmos Saturday, July 28, 2018. Neither the victim nor Olmos had a permanent address.

Assistant District Attorneys Nicholas DiCostanzo and Christine O’Connor, Deputy Division Chief of the Superior Court Trial Division, prosecuted the case.

2 thoughts on “Illegal Immigrant Sentenced to 20 Years to Life for Murder of Woman at New Rochelle Armory”

  1. So Westchester County and New Rochelle are officially sanctuary cities, openly breaking and or not abiding by federal laws. So does this mean that I as an individual should not corporate with local authorities, do I have a right to pick and choose which local laws I want to follow, or will I be ticketed or arrested if I disobeyed local laws? Why are politicians not arrested for pushing bad policies? Who is paying for education, healthcare, law enforcement and other tax payer services for illegal immigrants?

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