Border Patrol arrests Honduran MS-13 gang member

Border Patrol arrested a Mara Salvatrucha gang member from Honduras Sunday night west of Calexico after illegally entering the United States.

At approximately 9 p.m., agents observed a man climbing over the international boundary fence and illegally entering the U.S. three miles west of the Calexico Port of Entry.

The man was arrested and after being processed at the El Centro Station, he was identified as 25-year-old Leonel Ramirez Martinez.

Ramirez had several felony convictions for assault, was previously deported and met the guidelines for prosecution after re-entry.

Agents inspected Ramirez’s several tattoos which revealed his affiliation to the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) from Honduras. Ramirez had been previously arrested by New York Police twice for felony assault in 2013 and 2014.

“Individuals encountered and arrested at the border do not typically stay near the border,” said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David Kim, “The arrest of this gang member shows that he has ties to New York and has victimized people in that community. Our agents stopping and arresting him at the border means he won’t get another opportunity to victimize any community in this country.”

Ramirez will be prosecuted for re-entry after removal.