Show-Me State Times

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has sent a letter to the presiding judge overseeing the prosecution of Endrina Bracho, an illegal immigrant charged with killing 12-year-old Travis Wolfe in a head-on collision.

“On December 20, 2023, Endrina Bracho was driving without a license, in the wrong lane, and 35 miles per hour over the speed limit when she crashed head-on into a vehicle carrying 12-year-old Travis Wolfe,” Senator Hawley wrote. “Travis tragically died from his injuries. Moreover, since Ms. Bracho was unlawfully present in the country, her lack of documentation initially made it difficult for investigators to identify her.”

In response to news of a possible bond reduction hearing in Bracho’s case, Senator Hawley argued, “My office has been informed that next month there will be a bond reduction hearing for Ms. Bracho’s case. Ms. Bracho is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond. That bond level is entirely appropriate, and it should not be reduced.”

Senator Hawley has repeatedly challenged Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

In an April hearing, Senator Hawley pressed Secretary Mayorkas on Wolfe’s case specifically, condemning what he described as the DHS Secretary’s implementation of the Biden-Harris Administration’s open-border agenda that has led to an increase in crimes committed by illegal immigrants against American citizens.

The full letter reads:

August 26, 2024

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office

100 South Central Avenue, 2nd Floor

Saint Louis, MO

63105-1732

To the Presiding Judge:

On December 20, 2023, Endrina Bracho was driving without a license, in the wrong lane, and 35 miles per hour over the speed limit when she crashed head-on into a vehicle carrying 12-year-old Travis Wolfe.[1] Travis tragically died from his injuries. Moreover, since Ms. Bracho was unlawfully present in the country, her lack of documentation initially made it difficult for investigators to identify her.

My office has been informed that next month there will be a bond reduction hearing for Ms. Bracho’s case. Ms. Bracho is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.[2] That bond level is entirely appropriate and should not be reduced.

Ms. Bracho is clearly a serious danger to the Missouri public—because of her actions; a child is dead. As should be obvious; her likelihood of offending again upon release is high. The facts surrounding Travis’s death are evidence of Ms. Bracho’s systematic contempt for the law: her defiance of immigration law; driver licensing laws; and basic traffic laws all led to this horrific incident—all militating against reducing her bond.

I urge you; in the strongest possible terms; that Ms. Bracho’s existing $500;000 bond be kept in place.

Sincerely,

Josh Hawley

United States Senator