A previously deported illegal immigrant charged with multiple potential life sentences in the death of a Grand Rapids woman was set for arraignment on Tuesday, marking his latest case in a string of arrests dating back to 2017.

Kent County Jail officials told The Midwesterner Brandon Ortiz-Vite, 25, will be arraigned Tuesday on six charges including open murder, carjacking, felony firearm, illegally carrying a concealed weapon, operating while intoxicated and driving on a suspended or revoked license.

Michigan State Police arrested Ortiz-Vite on Sunday for the murder of a young woman whose body was left on U.S. 131 in downtown Grand Rapids. Police continue to investigate the details that led them to the body near Leonard Street with apparent gunshot wounds around 11:38 p.m. on Friday and have not identified the suspect or the 25-year-old victim.

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Family of the victim, Ruby Garcia, identified Ortiz-Vite on Facebook over the weekend.

Kent County court officials said Ortiz-Vite was previously arrested for breaking and entering in 2018, and for operating while intoxicated in 2020. Court records show Ortiz-Vite was wanted on bench warrant in the 2020 case for failure to appear at the time of his most recent arrest.

The victim’s sister, Mavi Garcia, declined to discuss her sister’s relationship with Ortiz-Vite, but confirmed he is in the country illegally.

“I prefer not to give out information on their relationship,” Garcia told The Midwesterner on Monday. “He is currently in custody that’s all we know as of right now and he is/was here illegally.”

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Court records show Ortiz-Vite was arrested by Grand Rapids Police in July 2017 for driving while unlicensed or license not valid, before pleading guilty and paying a $250 fine. Ortiz-Vite repeatedly missed payments before eventually paying off the fine in November 2017.

Ortiz-Vite illegally entered a residence in the Grand Rapids suburb of Wyoming in 2018, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, and received one year of probation. He failed to appear for probation and instead served 30 days in jail, WOODTV reports.

Ortiz-Vite was arrested by Grand Rapids Police again in August 2020 for operating while intoxicated near Burton Street and Century Ave, where he caused an accident and property damage. That incident led to the 1990 Cadillac involved being impounded, according to court records.

Ortiz-Vite pleaded not guilty to the OWI, but failed to show for court appearances after his release from jail on a personal recognizance bond. A warrant was issued for his arrest in November 2020 and finally served on Monday.

Federal officials stated in a Tuesday press release Ortiz-Vite was deported to Mexico in September 2020, during President Donald Trump’s administration, WOOD reports. Ruby Garcia’s family is now raising funds for her funeral through a GoFundMe campaign that blew past a $13,000 goal to raise more than $15,000 through 270 donations as of Tuesday afternoon.

“She was a great daughter, sister, aunt and friend,” Ruby’s sister, Mavi Garcia, told The Midwesterner. “She will be remembered as being full of life and laughter, those who were around her would know she was silly and made everyone laugh.”

Garcia added: “Her loss has impacted the lives of many people. Her life was taken too soon. She deserved to live life, travel the world, have kids and follow her dreams.”

Garcia said Ruby “was a strong person” who “had so many plans this year on traveling.”

“I feel like her motivation in life were my mother and her nieces and nephews,” Garcia said.

Family and friends have also weighed in on social media and through the GoFundMe comments to mourn the tragic loss.

Dozens gathered for a vigil on Saturday, lighting candles and playing music to remember Ruby’s life.

“Thank you to everyone that showed up for my beautiful sister, I just know she was looking down at us all, smiling!” Fanni Terrazas posted to Facebook with a video of the event. “She was the best sister, cousin, daughter, tia and friend … she left behind the most beautiful family and friends.”