A notorious member of the MS-13 gang has been apprehended by federal immigration officials after having illegally entered the United States multiple times. There’s a possibility he may end up in one of El Salvador’s harsh mega-prisons.
Wilmer Alexi Garcia-Manzanares, who faces accusations of murder and terrorism back in El Salvador, was captured by ICE agents near Boston and sent back on November 3, as federal authorities confirmed this week.
Garcia-Manzanares first arrived in the U.S. from Canada in 2001 and has built quite a criminal record here, including charges for robbery, weapon possession, property damage, and driving under the influence.
“This removal of Wilmer Alexi Garcia-Manzanares significantly enhances the safety of Massachusetts residents,” commented David Wessling, the Director of the ICE Boston Field Office.
Wessling emphasized that Garcia-Manzanares represents a major risk to local communities, citing his extensive criminal background and the serious charges he faces in his native country related to gang activities.
According to federal authorities, the gang leader was initially detained at the northern border on March 6, 2001, and received multiple citations for ignoring immigration court rulings in the following year.
After being deported, Garcia-Manzanares managed to sneak back into the United States at least three times between January 2007 and October 2012, officials noted.
In January 2020, Interpol issued a “red notice” for him, seeking his arrest due to violent crimes in El Salvador.
He was taken into custody by ICE in Boston on February 18, 2024, and deportation proceedings were initiated, culminating in his removal on November 3, 2024.
While it’s not definitively stated where he will end up, it’s likely that Garcia-Manzanares will be sent to a terrorist detention center in El Salvador. This prison is known for its severe measures in combating gang violence.
Officials claim that escaping from this facility is nearly impossible.
Inmates, often comprising terrorists and violent gang figures, are subjected to solitary confinement with heavy surveillance. Reports indicate that conditions can be brutal, with many being physically mistreated or left without proper footwear.
