Bond reduction denied for woman seeking asylum

WOODSTOCK - A McHenry County judge refused to lower bail for a woman seeking political asylum because she fears being deported to Mexico, where she said she witnessed a murder years ago.

Soraya Fulton, 44, of Beach Park, faces multiple felony charges for allegedly driving drunk with two teenagers in her car and getting into an accident in Crystal Lake on June 20.

But she asked Judge Joseph Condon to lower her bail Wednesday morning from $80,000 to $50,000 so she could post the requisite $5,000 and pursue political asylum. Immigration officials have a hold on her bond, which means she would be transferred to their custody if she posted bond in McHenry County.

Fulton said she learned people involved in the alleged murder were still after her when she was deported after being convicted in 1998 of residential burglary for breaking into her ex-husband’s home. She said a Mexican government official was allegedly involved in the murder she witnessed.

“That was when I realized he was still looking for me and I was still in danger, so I came back,” Fulton testified, of her deportation.

But prosecutors said the bail amount was appropriate given the charges Fulton faces, along with the fact she has a drunk-driving charge pending in Wisconsin, a previous drunk-driving instance and six prior instances of driving with a revoked or suspended license from 1995 to 2008.

In connection with the June 20 accident, Fulton was charged with aggravated driving under the influence, obstructing justice, driving on a revoked or suspended license, two counts of endangering the life or health of a child and several traffic offenses.

If convicted of the most serious charge, she could be sentenced to between three and seven years in prison. Her next court is July 20 for a preliminary hearing.