Police in Maryland apprehend gang member with ‘666’ tattoo on forehead

Notorious Salvadoran Gang Member Arrested in the U.S.

A prominent criminal, listed among the most-wanted by Salvadoran gangs, has been apprehended in the United States, according to federal authorities. Antonio Israel Lazo-Quintanilla was taken into custody in Maryland after an initial arrest this month for allegedly driving without a license, as outlined in a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

This appears to be Lazo-Quintanilla’s first encounter with law enforcement in the U.S., but it quickly became clear that he was wanted back home for severe offenses. Charges against him in El Salvador include aggravated murder, extortion, and drug possession.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented, “About 70% of ICE arrests involve illegal immigrants who have either been charged with or convicted of crimes in the United States.” She highlighted Lazo-Quintanilla as a stark example of ICE focusing on serious threats to public safety, despite his lack of a violent history in the U.S.

Lazo-Quintanilla has been identified as a “confirmed member” of the 18th Street Gang, a group flagged as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under the Trump administration. McLaughlin added, “Claims that ICE doesn’t arrest the worst criminals are unfounded. In reality, we act before these individuals can cause harm to Americans.”

Interestingly enough, Lazo-Quintanilla sports a tattoo of “666” prominently on his forehead, which further adds to his notorious image. The gang he belongs to is noted for expressing violence toward security personnel, public officials, and civilians across Central America. Details regarding when he entered the U.S. are still unclear.