Mario Miguel Banegas Deras, 43, was sentenced to 24 years in prison for the killing of Maria Magdalena Ayala Guardado in Northwest Washington, D.C. The sentencing took place in Superior Court, where Banegas Deras had previously pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder while armed. Judge J. Michael Ryan also ordered five years of supervised release following the prison term.
According to court records, on December 15, 2024, Banegas Deras went to the residence he had shared with Ayala Guardado and their three children until about a week before the incident. He entered the apartment building at 744 Girard Street NW and waited for Ayala Guardado in the garage area. When she arrived as part of her daily routine, Banegas Deras followed her into the garage, closed the door behind them, and killed her by strangulation, repeated blows to the head with a brick, and stabbing her in the neck. Afterward, he called emergency services and reported what he had done. Police arrested him at the scene.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro stated: “This illegal lowlife killed the mother of his children in the most heinous way, after abusing her throughout their relationship,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. “Domestic violence is something that we will not tolerate from anyone, particularly those who are not legal citizens of this country who break the law. For any woman in a violent relationship please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.”
Authorities noted that Banegas Deras had been removed from the home by Ayala Guardado due to ongoing physical and emotional abuse prior to her death.
Following his arrest, federal authorities obtained a Warrant of Removal/Deportation through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Upon completion of his sentence, Banegas Deras will be deported to Honduras.
Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in announcing the sentence and commended investigators from MPD as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Marybeth Manfreda for prosecuting the case.
