MS-13 Gang Member Nabbed in Virginia After Multiple Deportations

STRASBURG, VA – A known MS-13 gang member with a rap sheet stretching back over a decade is back in custody after being apprehended by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Strasburg Police Department. Cristian Medrano-Umanzor, 34, of El Salvador, was taken into custody January 24th, marking yet another chapter in a saga of repeated arrests, convictions, deportations, and illegal re-entries into the United States.

Medrano-Umanzor’s record includes convictions for drug crimes, resisting arrest, and the serious federal offense of illegally re-entering the United States after being previously deported. He initially entered the U.S. on an unknown date and location, and was granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in 2006, a status he later forfeited through his criminal activity. Between 2010 and 2016, he amassed a string of arrests for narcotics possession and distribution, failing to obey court orders, and skipping court appearances altogether.

The Justice Department finally ordered Medrano-Umanzor’s removal from the country in April 2018, and ICE carried out the deportation in May of the same year. But the removal proved temporary. Just over a year later, in September 2019, the U.S. Border Patrol caught him illegally crossing the border near Rio Grande City, Texas. He was convicted of illegal reentry on March 10, 2020, and deported again. Sources within ICE suggest the Biden administration’s border policies created an environment where repeat offenders like Medrano-Umanzor could easily slip back into the country.

“The streets will be safer now that Cristian Medrano-Umanzor has been arrested,” stated HSI Washington, D.C. Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf. “His history of criminal conduct make him subject to removal from the United States.” However, with Medrano-Umanzor’s proven ability to evade authorities and repeatedly cross the border, questions remain about the effectiveness of current deportation measures.

The arrest underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with transnational gangs like MS-13, who exploit lax border security and a complex legal system to continue operating within U.S. borders. HSI continues to prioritize the disruption of these criminal organizations, but the cycle of arrest, deportation, and re-entry highlights a systemic problem requiring a comprehensive solution. This case, like many others, exposes the revolving door of illegal immigration and the strain it places on local and federal resources.

Members of the public with information regarding criminal activity are encouraged to contact the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submit an online tip. HSI Washington, D.C. can be followed on X (formerly Twitter) at @HSI_DC for updates on their mission to enhance public safety.

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