U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the May 5 arrest in Silver Spring of a 38-year-old Salvadoran national, a previously deported individual and alleged MS-13 gang member wanted in El Salvador for firearms offenses.
According to the news release distributed on Friday, May 9: “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 38-year-old criminal alien Joel Armando Mejia-Benitez, a Salvadoran national, May 5 in Silver Spring. Mejia is a validated MS-13 gang member and is wanted in his home country for firearms offenses.
“The arrest of this violent MS-13 gang member is a critical step in our ongoing mission to safeguard our communities,” said ICE Baltimore acting Field Office Director Nikita Baker. “We remain steadfast in prioritizing public safety and protecting national security by targeting and removing dangerous criminal aliens who threaten the well-being of our Maryland residents.”
The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended Mejia near Sullivan City, Texas, Nov. 22, 2004, and served him a notice to appear. A Department of Justice immigration judge ordered Mejia removed in absentia Dec. 14, 2005.
ICE Baltimore arrested Mejia from Prince George’s County Detention Center Sept. 28, 2006. ICE removed Mejia from the United States to El Salvador Dec. 13, 2006. Mejia reentered the United States on an unknown date at an unknown location without being inspected, admitted or paroled by an immigration officer. ICE Baltimore arrested Mejia and served him a notice of intent to reinstate prior order March 20, 2014. Mejia has a final order of removal and will remain in ICE custody.”
