A tattooed member of the MS-13 gang, labeled as “violent,” was detained by U.S. immigration officials after being deported nearly two decades ago from El Salvador. Joel Armando Mejia-Benitez, aged 38, was arrested on May 5 in Silver Springs, Maryland, according to U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE). The agency released details about the arrest on Friday.
Photos shared by ICE highlight his extensive tattoos, including the “MS” emblem on his chest and various gang-related symbols. They showcase tattoos like a skull with a horn and the words “Mara Salvatrucha,” as well as “Maryland” on his right forearm.
According to ICE, Mejia-Benitez was initially apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol in Texas back in 2004 and was ordered to leave the country in 2005. After his deportation in late 2006, he made his way back to the U.S. again, leading to another arrest in March 2014.
Following his most recent arrest, he was quickly handed over to local authorities in Silver Springs before being remanded by ICE for deportation again.
Nikita Baker, the director of the ICE Baltimore Field Office, remarked, “This arrest is a vital component of our ongoing commitment to community safety.” She continued, emphasizing their focus on national security and addressing threats posed by dangerous individuals.
This incident follows the recent sentencing of another MS-13 member, Omar Antonio “Anti-Christ” Viralta, who received a 55-year prison term for multiple murders in Long Island.
In a related case this month, Mario Clifford Rivera, also linked to MS-13, faced a 17-year sentence in Florida due to his involvement in fentanyl trafficking, utilizing mail services for distribution. The MS-13 gang has been designated as a terrorist organization by the Trump administration.
