BALTIMORE, MD—U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a 20-year-old Salvadoran national and validated MS-13 gang member in Frederick, Maryland, on May 27, marking his fifth apprehension after four previous deportations, ICE officials said.
Moises Alberto Figueroa-Bonilla, who is illegally present in the U.S., was taken into custody at his residence, according to ICE. The agency described Figueroa as a threat to public safety due to his affiliation with the violent transnational criminal organization MS-13 and his repeated illegal reentries into the United States.
“This individual’s repeated illegal entries into the United States, despite multiple prior removals, demonstrate a complete disregard for our nation’s immigration laws,” said Nikita Baker, acting field office director for ICE Baltimore. “ICE Baltimore will continue to prioritize the arrest and removal of aliens who endanger the communities we serve.”
Figueroa’s history with law enforcement dates back to 2011, when he was arrested by the Prince George’s County Police Department on July 28 for marijuana possession and failed to appear for his court date. On Nov. 6, 2011, the Frederick City Police Department arrested him for possession of drug paraphernalia. ICE lodged an immigration detainer with the Frederick County Detention Center the following day, and Figueroa was transferred to ICE custody on Nov. 8, 2011.
A Department of Justice immigration judge ordered Figueroa’s removal to El Salvador on Nov. 30, 2011, and he was deported on Jan. 27, 2012. Figueroa reentered the U.S. illegally on three subsequent occasions, leading to arrests by U.S. Border Patrol between November 2015 and February 2019. Each time, he was served notices to reinstate his prior removal order and was deported to El Salvador on May 20, 2016, Dec. 28, 2018, and April 12, 2019.
Figueroa’s most recent illegal reentry occurred at an unknown date and location without inspection, admission, or parole by an immigration official. Following his arrest on May 27, he remains in ICE custody pending further immigration proceedings.
ICE encourages the public to report crimes or suspicious activity by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submitting tips online.
Photo via ICE Baltimore
