MS-13 Gang Member Busted in Va. for Drug Crimes

Harrisonburg, Va. – ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has made a significant bust in the heart of Virginia, apprehending Cristian Medrano-Umanzor, an alleged MS-13 gang member with a long list of drug crimes.

Medrano-Umanzor, 34, was taken into custody by HSI agents and Strasburg Police Department officers on January 24. The Salvadoran national has been charged with resisting arrest, felony illegal reentry into the U.S. after deportation, and various drug offenses, including possession and distribution of narcotics.

This isn’t Medrano-Umanzor’s first rodeo with law enforcement. He illegally entered the United States without inspection or parole in an unknown location, applied for temporary protected status (TPS) which was granted in 2006. His TPS eligibility ended after his criminal activities caught up with him.

Medrano-Umanzor was removed from the U.S. in 2018 following a deportation order by a Justice Department immigration judge and returned to El Salvador. He made another illegal reentry into the U.S. in September 2019, leading to his conviction for illegal reentry of a deported alien in 2020. ICE again removed him, but he slipped back into the country during the Biden administration’s open-border policy.

HSI Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf emphasized, “The streets are safer now that Medrano-Umanzor is off the streets. His removal from the U.S. demonstrates our commitment to protecting Virginia residents.” The public can assist ICE in their ongoing fight against crime by calling the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or filling out an online tip form.

For more information on HSI DC’s mission and how they are increasing public safety, follow them on X at @HSI_DC.