The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported on May 5 that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Harrisonburg arrested Josue Saul Garcia-Lopez, a Salvadoran national and alleged active MS-13 gang member, in Virginia.
Garcia-Lopez is wanted in El Salvador for extortion and robbery schemes and has prior arrests there for unlawful possession of a firearm and disorderly conduct, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
DHS said Garcia-Lopez entered the United States at an unknown date and location. Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said the arrest was an example of a case registered as “non-criminal” because Garcia-Lopez lacked a criminal record in the United States.
According to Congress.gov, MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, is a transnational gang with origins in Los Angeles and ties to El Salvador. Federal agencies have investigated MS-13 cases involving extortion, drug trafficking, racketeering and violent crime.
HSI is the main investigative arm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and investigates transnational crime, including gang activity, human smuggling, financial crimes, and other cross-border criminal activity, according to ICE.