Vladimir Amaya-Benitez/El Salvador/MS-13 Gang Member

During a recent enforcement action in Gaithersburg, Maryland, ICE officers arrested Vladimir Amaya-Benitez, a Salvadoran national with a long criminal history and confirmed ties to the violent MS-13 gang. Amaya-Benitez had previously been identified by local and federal law enforcement as a validated member of MS-13 based on documented associations, tattoos, and prior arrest records. He was taken into custody by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Washington, D.C., following his release from state custody.

Amaya-Benitez’s criminal history spans multiple jurisdictions and includes convictions for second-degree malicious burning, robbery, motor vehicle theft, and resisting arrest. In one case, he set fire to a residential structure during a dispute and later fled the scene. In another incident, he participated in a strong-arm robbery that involved assaulting a victim and stealing personal belongings. His record also includes unlawful entry, trespassing, and possession of burglary tools. Law enforcement agencies across Maryland had issued multiple reports detailing his association with known gang members and his involvement in criminal activity dating back several years.

Due to his repeated offenses and gang affiliation, ICE placed him under immigration proceedings. An immigration judge issued a final order of removal in 2023. Amaya-Benitez is currently being held at an ICE detention facility and will remain in custody pending his deportation to El Salvador. His removal has been prioritized due to his gang membership and violent record.