An MS-13 gang member long wanted in El Salvador on murder and terrorism charges has been arrested while living in New Jersey illegally.
On Friday, Jonathan Stanley Garcia-Vazquez was arrested in Western New York state after attempting to cross the border illegally in Texas in June 2016 at the Newark office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The troubling story that has been going on since he was stopped and later released has come to an end. announced on Monday.
“Known member of the MS-13 criminal organization” wanted for six years on warrants for aggravated murder and terrorism charges, awaiting eventual deportation to El Salvador, ICE calls “transnational criminal” announced about.
“The United States is not a safe haven for international fugitives who seek to exploit immigration laws to evade justice in their home countries,” said John Tsokaris, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) director in Newark.
“Thanks to the hard work and commitment to public safety of our nation’s law enforcement officers, we were able to safely apprehend this international fugitive before he could harm the public or the residents of New Jersey.”
The gangster, also known as Jonathan Stanley Garcia-Garcia, was first stopped in June 2016 while illegally entering the country in Hidalgo, Texas, according to ICE.
He was issued an expedited removal order and remained in ICE custody until January 27, 2017, when he was released on bond.
ICE said a judge in San Miguel, El Salvador, issued an arrest warrant for him on August 7, 2018, on charges of aggravated murder and membership in a terrorist organization, but did not provide details of the crime.
A U.S. immigration judge ordered the gang to leave in absentia in October 2018, but Garcia never surrendered.
He evaded authorities for years until his arrest last week.
