Jury: Brother of hit-run driver lied to immigration agents
The brother of the hit-and-run driver who killed a nun in Water Mill earlier this year has been found guilty of lying to investigators, according to federal court records.
The jury found Miguel Ixpec-Chitay of Riverhead lied to federal investigators during the search for his older brother. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 8 at 1 p.m. at the federal courthouse in Central Islip.
Carlos Armando Ixpec-Chitay is accused in the hit-and-run accident on Rose Hill Road in Water Mill that left Sister Jacqueline Walsh dead July 9. On retreat with her colleagues from the Sisters of Mercy of Syosset, she was walking in the vicinity of the sanctuary where she was staying when she was hit by a car, police said. The driver did not stop and was never found, police said.
The younger Mr. Ixpec-Chitay was charged with a felony count of making a materially false statement to U.S. Immigration agents regarding phone calls between him and his brother in the hours after the fatal crash.
Evidence in the trial showed approximately 20 phone calls were made between Miguel’s and Carlos’ cell phones on the day of the crash and the following day, according to online court records. Three days later, Miguel was interviewed by the federal agents.
The trial began last Monday , Dec. 16, and a verdict was handed down Wednesday Dec. 18, according to court records.
