U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Kansas City has arrested Mario Torrez-Lopez, a 34-year-old Mexican national with an extensive criminal record and confirmed gang affiliation. The arrest followed a targeted enforcement action on July 20.
Torrez-Lopez, who has admitted to being a member of the Sureños gang, has been deported from the United States four times: in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022. According to ICE officials, he re-entered the country illegally after each removal and continued to engage in criminal activity across several states.
“This individual repeatedly crossed the border, joined a violent gang while incarcerated, and built a track record of crime and disregard for the law,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito. “He’s exactly the kind of threat we are determined to find, stop and remove from our communities.”
ICE reported that Torrez-Lopez’s previous order of removal has been reinstated. He will remain in custody pending upcoming court proceedings.
Torrez-Lopez's criminal history began in 2012 when he was arrested in Indianapolis for resisting arrest and illegally passing a school bus. These incidents led to felony and misdemeanor convictions. In 2017, following another illegal entry into the U.S., he received a federal sentence of 30 days. In 2018, he was sentenced to 18 months for returning after removal. Two years later, he was given a 21-month federal sentence for illegal reentry and placed on supervised release for three years; however, this supervision was violated, resulting in another return to federal prison in 2022. While incarcerated, Torrez-Lopez joined the Sureños gang and has remained affiliated since then.
The U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Kansas is overseeing prosecution efforts.
The public is encouraged to report crimes or suspicious activities by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or using an online tip form.
Additional information about ICE’s work can be found on their X account at @HSIKansasCity.
