Marco Tulio Lopez-Romero, Aggravated Homicide, Virginia 2026

RESTON, VA – Marco Tulio Lopez-Romero, 44, is facing justice for a crime he allegedly committed thousands of miles away, after ICE officers tracked him down in Northern Virginia. Lopez-Romero is wanted in El Salvador for aggravated homicide, a charge that, according to authorities, doesn’t register on the radar of media outlets quick to label such individuals as “non-criminals.”

The arrest took place March 31 outside Lopez-Romero’s Reston residence, a culmination of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) efforts. Lopez-Romero initially entered the U.S. illegally in July 2016 near McAllen, Texas. An arrest warrant was issued in El Salvador on December 6, 2017, but Lopez-Romero remained at large until this week. ICE officials say they discovered his presence in the Washington, D.C. area and initiated surveillance, leading to his capture.

“Marco Tulio Lopez-Romero is exactly the type of illegal alien fugitive that ICE will not allow to roam free in our communities,” stated ERO Field Office Director Robert Guadian. “Shockingly, the media would consider Lopez to be a ‘non-criminal’ because he lacks a rap sheet in the U.S. – despite the fact that authorities in El Salvador have issued a warrant for him on charges of aggravated homicide.” Guadian’s statement is a direct shot at media coverage that often focuses solely on U.S. criminal records, ignoring outstanding warrants and active investigations in other countries.

ICE points to statistics highlighting that roughly 70% of their arrests involve illegal aliens charged with or convicted of U.S. crimes. However, this figure doesn’t include those, like Lopez-Romero, wanted for crimes abroad. This loophole allows individuals with serious accusations against them to evade accountability while operating within the U.S., a situation ICE is actively working to address.

Lopez-Romero remains in ICE custody, awaiting the outcome of removal proceedings. The case is a stark reminder of the complexities of immigration enforcement and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in tracking down international fugitives. ICE officials say they will continue to prioritize the apprehension of “criminal alien offenders” to ensure the safety of communities in Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. We’ll also be examining the broader issue of how “non-criminal” designations can obscure the potential danger posed by individuals wanted for serious crimes in their home countries. This isn’t about immigration policy; it’s about accountability and public safety.

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