MS-13 Gang Member and Alleged Mass Murderer Apprehended in Virginia: ICE Arrests Edwin Antonio Hernandez Hernandez
A suspected MS-13 gang member and alleged mass murderer named Edwin Antonio Hernandez Hernandez has been apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Virginia, as per Department of Homeland Security sources. This arrest follows the recent executive order signed by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, which revoked the requirement for local and state law enforcement to cooperate with ICE, overturning a directive from the previous governor, Glenn Youngkin.
Hernandez, a 27-year-old from El Salvador, has reportedly confessed to being involved in five murders in his home country and is affiliated with the MS-13 gang, using the aliases "Demente" and "Crazy." Sources revealed that in two of the alleged murders, Hernandez shot members of the rival 18th Street gang in the chest and head. The 18th Street gang, also known as Barrio 18, was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the U.S. State Department last year.
In another gruesome incident, Hernandez claimed that he participated in torturing and stabbing an 18th Street gang member before MS-13 dismembered the victim while still alive. According to a report from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Hernandez illegally entered the U.S. near Hidalgo, Texas, in June 2015. He was initially arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol but was later released during immigration court proceedings.
Hernandez was taken back into custody by ICE on December 31 in Alexandria, Virginia, for remaining in the U.S. without proper documentation and for illegal entry. The arrest was made after USCIS referred him to ICE for further action. Governor Spanberger's executive order on her first day in office aimed to redirect state and local law enforcement resources towards core responsibilities like investigating criminal activities, staffing jails, and community engagement, rather than enforcing federal civil immigration laws.
In conclusion, the apprehension of Edwin Antonio Hernandez Hernandez, a suspected MS-13 gang member and alleged mass murderer, in Virginia highlights the ongoing efforts of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to address criminal activities and ensure public safety. The recent executive order signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger reflects a shift in priorities for state and local law enforcement agencies in Virginia.