U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently arrested Nelson Vladimir Amaya-Benitez, a 26-year-old Salvadoran national, in Gaithersburg on May 12. Amaya is a known member of the MS-13 gang and has previous convictions for various offenses, including second-degree malicious burning and possession of marijuana.
"The arrest of this criminal alien MS-13 gang member is yet another stark reminder of the dangers posed when our immigration laws are not enforced," stated ICE Baltimore acting Field Office Director Nikita Baker. "This individual, who had previously been removed from the United States, reentered illegally and repeatedly jeopardized the safety of our Maryland communities."
Amaya was initially apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol after entering the country illegally near Hidalgo, Texas, on February 3, 2016. Following several arrests and convictions in Texas for crimes such as possession of marijuana and unauthorized use of a vehicle, he was ordered to be removed from the U.S. by an immigration judge on August 13, 2019.
Despite being deported to El Salvador later that month, Amaya reentered the U.S. at an unknown time and location without inspection or parole by an immigration officer. He faced multiple charges over subsequent years in Montgomery County but was released each time after local authorities declined to honor ICE's detainers.
Amaya's criminal activities continued with arrests for theft and motor vehicle-related crimes between 2023 and 2024. Each time ICE lodged detainers against him; however, these were not honored by local detention centers.
As a result of his recent arrest in Gaithersburg, Amaya is now in ICE custody once again.
Members of the public can report crimes or suspicious activity through ICE's hotline or online tip form.
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