ICE has issued detainers for three men accused of luring and murdering 14-year-old Jefferson Amaya-Ayala in College Park, Maryland on Aug. 2. Officials identified the suspects as Alan Josai Garcia Padilla, Jose Vladimir Merlos-Majano and William Ariel Cuellar Guiterrez, saying each had prior contacts with law enforcement. DHS and ICE framed the detainers as part of broader enforcement actions, including "Operation Catch of the Day" in Maine, which officials say resulted in more than 50 arrests. The investigation into the Maryland homicide is ongoing.
ICE Issues Detainers For Three Alleged MS-13 Members In Maryland Teen's Killing
ICE seeking detention of 3 alleged MS-13 members accused of murdering 14-year-old boy
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued detainer requests for three men accused of belonging to the MS-13 gang who are alleged to have lured and murdered a 14-year-old boy in College Park, Maryland on Aug. 2.
Details Of The Case
Local authorities identified the suspects as Alan Josai Garcia Padilla, Jose Vladimir Merlos-Majano and William Ariel Cuellar Guiterrez. Officials say all three are undocumented immigrants from El Salvador and that the victim, Jefferson Amaya-Ayala, was lured to a public park and killed.
According to law enforcement, each of the three suspects had prior contact with police. Two — Garcia Padilla and Cuellar Guiterrez — were previously arrested on gun-related charges and released during President Joe Biden's administration, while Merlos-Majano had earlier arrests for defacing public property and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Two illegal aliens were arrested by ICE in Maine.(Fox News)
"This heinous murder of a child by MS-13 gang members is reprehensible. This murder was completely preventable. All three of these gang members had prior run-ins with law enforcement. ICE should have been notified following their arrests," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement.
Wider Enforcement Activity
ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the detainers as part of broader enforcement activity. Officials highlighted an operation in Maine, called Operation Catch of the Day, which they said led to more than 50 arrests over several days. DHS described the Maine effort as part of increased pressure on jurisdictions it says limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
In remarks provided by DHS, Assistant Secretary McLaughlin criticized local leaders she characterized as "sanctuary" officials and framed the detainers and the Maine operation as elements of a tougher enforcement approach targeting criminal undocumented immigrants. The agency said arrests in Maine included individuals convicted of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child.
The detainers mark a continuing phase of the investigation into the College Park homicide. Local authorities say the criminal investigation is ongoing and additional details will be released as the case develops.
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