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The Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday that a Haitian national charged with fatally stabbing his coworker at a Michigan meat processing plant should remain in custody rather than be freed while his case moves through the courts. Valmir Djempsley Charged in Michigan Coworker Stabbing Death at Clemens Food Group Plant.
Valmir Djempsley, 20, faces a murder charge in the June 30 killing of a 21-year-old coworker at the Clemens Food Group plant in Coldwater. Authorities say the two men got into an argument that turned violent, with Djempsley allegedly chasing the victim with a knife before stabbing him in the back. Djempsley has told investigators that his coworker headbutted him during the confrontation. The victim died at the scene despite efforts by first responders to save him. Local prosecutors say Djempsley was working under a visa at the time of the killing, according to local reports. He has pleaded not guilty.
According to an affidavit obtained by the Sturgis Journal, the argument that preceded the stabbing started when the victim used one of Djempsley's knives. A judge has already denied Djempsley bond, and he is currently held in the Branch County jail.
DHS officials say Djempsley crossed into the United States illegally through Texas in 2024 and was released into the country under the Biden administration. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has since filed a detainer request asking Michigan authorities not to release Djempsley without first notifying the agency.
"This illegal alien barbarically stabbed his coworker to death," acting DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. Bis added that the detainer is meant to ensure Djempsley is not quietly let out of jail. "We have lodged a detainer asking Michigan to not release this dangerous criminal from jail without notifying ICE," she said.
Djempsley remains held without bond at the Branch County jail as the case proceeds. No trial date has been announced. DHS has not indicated when or whether the detainer will result in additional federal action once the state case concludes.
The factual information above was sourced from foxnews.com as of July 21, 2026.
The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a workplace tragedy leaves a family searching for answers, the path forward often involves more than a criminal courtroom. Michigan crime victim lawyer Michael Haggard breaks down what happens after an employee is killed on the job by a coworker, from workers' compensation death benefits to wrongful death claims against an employer who may have missed warning signs. Learn who can be held responsible, how different legal avenues work together, and what steps a family should take in the earliest days after a loss.
Editor Darla Medina: When an employee is killed by a coworker while on the clock, what legal avenues does the victim's family typically have?
Attorney Michael Haggard: Generally speaking, families are looking at a few different paths. There's the criminal case, which is handled by the state and doesn't put money in anyone's pocket, but does hold the individual accountable. Then, separately, there's the civil side, which is where a family can pursue compensation for their loss.
Medina: Walk us through that civil side. Who can a family actually sue in a workplace killing?
Haggard: It depends heavily on the facts, but the first place most attorneys look is workers' compensation. If someone is killed while performing their job duties, workers' comp death benefits are often available to the family regardless of fault. Beyond that, families can look at a wrongful death claim against the individual who committed the act, though collecting from an individual is often difficult if they don't have assets.
Medina: What about the employer itself? Can a company be held responsible for what one employee does to another?
Haggard: That's where things get more complicated, and it's very fact-specific. Courts will look at whether the employer knew or should have known about a risk. Did the company have information suggesting a conflict was brewing? Did they have adequate security, supervision, or protocols on the floor? Was there a pattern of prior incidents involving either employee? Negligent hiring, negligent supervision, and premises liability claims can come into play if the employer failed to act on warning signs.
Medina: How does workers' compensation interact with a potential lawsuit? Can a family pursue both?
Haggard: Generally, workers' comp is what we call the exclusive remedy against the employer, meaning it's often the only avenue against the company itself if the death happened in the course of employment. But there are exceptions in most states for intentional conduct or gross negligence by the employer. And importantly, workers' comp doesn't bar a family from pursuing a separate claim against the individual who caused the harm.
Medina: What should a grieving family do first if they find themselves in this situation?
Haggard: Document everything early. Get a lawyer involved quickly so evidence isn't lost, request any incident reports, and understand the deadlines. Workers' comp and wrongful death claims both have strict filing windows, and missing them can permanently close off options. Families are dealing with grief, and the legal system doesn't pause for that, so having someone in their corner from the start matters.
Losing a loved one in a workplace tragedy is overwhelming enough without having to navigate the legal system solo. If you or someone you know is dealing with the loss of a family member due to violence on the job, don't wait to understand your options. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced attorney who can walk you through your case in a free, no-obligation consultation. Every situation is different, and the sooner you act, the better positioned you'll be to protect your family's rights.
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