Cullman County Sheriff’s Office arrests illegal immigrant after he allegedly injures U.S. veteran during online shopping meet up

CULLMAN, Ala. (WBRC) – More information was revealed Wednesday about an attempted robbery and shooting that left both the suspect and the victim, an armed forces veteran, injured.

On Wednesday, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office called a press conference to provide an update.

Sheriff Matt Gentry says 21-year-old illegal immigrant from Guatemala, Abel Medardo Sacrab-Chen, attempted to rob a 36-year veteran of the armed forces during a potential trailer sale that was negotiated online.

Now Chen is facing a first-degree robbery first.

Chen has an Aniah’s law hearing set for 2 p.m. Thursday and immigration agents encountered him in Texas back in 2021 and ordered him detained back then.

The Guatemalan native has also now been placed on an ICE hold following the shooting that took place Sunday on County Road 463.

Investigators say Chen and the victim were both shot and injured in the potential internet trailer sale gone wrong.

Gentry said that Chen threated the veteran and placed a knife as his throat. The veteran then shot Chen in act of self defense.

Investigators say in the struggle that followed, the veteran’s face was cut up and he was also shot multiple times.

Both men are now in the hospital recovering.

“The victim is recovering. I spoke with a family member today and our investigators have been in constant contact with him,” Gentry said. “He is recovering and really it is by the grace of God that he is here and his family expressed that.”

District Attorney Champ Crocker says Chen will face justice for his alleged actions.

“The subject will face charges here,” Crocker said “Someone asked me the other day, ‘Well, can this person just be deported in lieu of prosecution?’ No. If you commit a crime in Cullman County, whether you are in the county legally or illegally, you will be prosecuted.”

Crocker says the first-degree robbery charge has already been approved. This means Chen could spend anywhere from ten years to life behind bars. Still, both the DA and Sheriff say more charges will follow in this case.

Gentry says if you are exchanging goods bought or sold online, you need to do it in a safe place.

“We advocate you coming in to our parking lot, meeting individuals there to swap or buy or sell online items. If someone will not meet you at the sheriff’s office then I would not buy it.”

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