Beyond MoCo

ICE Arrests MS-13 Gang Member in Frederick After Multiple Prior Deportations

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of 20-year-old Moises Alberto Figueroa-Bonilla, a Salvadoran national and confirmed MS-13 gang member, at his residence in Frederick on May 27. He had been deported four times and repeatedly reentered the U.S. without inspection


Per the news release distributed by ICE on Friday, May 30: “Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an illegally present, 20-year-old Salvadoran national who has been previously deported four times. Officers with ICE Baltimore arrested Moises Alberto Figueroa-Bonilla May 27 in Frederick. Figueroa is a validated member of MS-13.

“This individual’s repeated illegal entries into the United States, despite multiple prior removals, demonstrate a complete disregard for our nation’s immigration laws,” said ICE Baltimore acting Field Office Director Nikita Baker. “More importantly, his known affiliation with the violent transnational criminal organization MS-13 poses a clear threat to public safety. ICE Baltimore will continue to prioritize the arrest and removal of aliens who endanger the communities we serve.”

Figueroa most recently entered the U.S. on an unknown date at an unknown location without being inspected, admitted or paroled by an immigration official.

The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested and charged Figueroa with marijuana possession July 28, 2011. He failed to appear for his court date. The Frederick City Police Department later arrested and charged Figueroa with possession of paraphernalia Nov. 6, 2011.

On Nov. 7, 2011, ICE lodged an immigration detainer on Figueroa with the Frederick County Detention Center. The Frederick County Detention Center transferred Figueroa to ICE custody Nov. 8, 2011, and he was placed into immigration proceedings.

A Department of Justice immigration judge ordered Figueroa removed to El Salvador Nov. 30, 2011, and he was removed Jan. 27, 2012.

The U.S. Border Patrol later arrested Figueroa three times between Nov. 2015 and Feb. 2019. He was served notices to of intent to reinstate a prior order of removal each time, and was removed from the U.S. to El Salvador on three occasions: May 20, 2016; Dec. 28, 2018; and April 12, 2019.

Figueroa then reentered the U.S. for a fifth time on an unknown date at an unknown location without being inspected, admitted or paroled by an immigration official.

On May 27, ICE Baltimore arrested Figueroa at his residence in Frederick. He will remain in ICE custody.”