ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia last Tuesday announced it removed Bou Khathavong to Laos on Sept. 2, after years of legal proceedings. Khathavong was convicted of criminal conspiracy and sentenced to 5 to 10 years in prison in connection with the Nov. 11, 1994 murder of Cardinal Dougherty High School student Eddie Polec, who was beaten to death with baseball bats on the steps of St. Cecilia Church in Fox Chase.
“We sincerely hope that the removal of Bou Khathavong can finally help the family of Eddie Polec and the city of Philadelphia heal from one of the most horrifying crimes in Philadelphia’s history,” said ICE ERO Philadelphia acting Field Office Director David O’Neill. “ICE is working daily to safeguard the American public and bring justice for the families of those who are harmed by illegal aliens.”
Khathavong legally entered the United States from Laos on June 23, 1980.
On Nov. 11, 1994, Khathavong was arrested by the Philadelphia Police Department for his role in the murder of Polec, 16, who was beaten by a mob of Abington teenagers.
Khathavong was charged with two counts of murder, possession of an instrument of crime and criminal conspiracy.
On Feb. 14, 1996, the former Immigration and Naturalization Service lodged an immigration detainer against Khathavong at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.
On March 19, 1996, Khathavong was convicted of criminal conspiracy.
On Sept. 1, 1998, INS served him with a notice to appear before an immigration judge, charging him as an aggravated felon under Section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
On Dec. 7, 2004, an immigration judge in York ordered Khathavong removed from the U.S. to Laos. Khathavong was released on an order of supervision in 2005, and legal proceedings continued until the recent deportation.
On the night of Polec’s death, Khathavong and six others who were convicted or pleaded guilty were seeking revenge on Fox Chase teenagers over a bogus rumor that an Abington-area girl had been raped in the neighborhood.
The 911 operators who received calls on the night of the Polec beating were, by most accounts, rude and helpless, and changes followed to the emergency call system.
ICE welcomes people to report crimes to its tipline at 866-DHS-2-ICE or online at https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form ••
