Inside ICE: Volume 2, Issue 11

MS-13 Gang Member on ICE Most Wanted List

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Secretary Michael J. Garcia announced that ICE is adding a violent member of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) street gang to its list of “Most Wanted” fugitives.

David Rivera (a.k.a. Gerber Alfaro Bonilla and Herbert Bonilla) has a string of felony convictions and is wanted for questioning in connection with several murders in Los Angeles. Rivera is the first member of MS-13 to make the ICE Most Wanted fugitives list. He is wanted by ICE on charges of re-entering the United States after deportation. The violation carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Rivera is also wanted for questioning by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in connection with a string of murders in Los Angeles that were carried out in his name between 1999 and 2001. The LAPD also seeks to question Rivera about his suspected drug activity.

Rivera’s criminal record includes past convictions for lewd and lascivious acts with a minor; possession of a firearm by a felon; illegal possession of ammunition; and repeated convictions for possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. Rivera went into hiding after his arrest on charges of raping a 12-year-old girl and witness intimidation in April 2001. The rape charges against Rivera were dropped after the chief witness in the case was found murdered.

Rivera is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He also has a mole close to his right eye. His last known address was 619 S Rampart Blvd. # 206 Los Angeles, Calif., 90057. Rivera has family ties in the Los Angeles area. He was born in Mexico and has provided the following birth dates: 10/26/1974, 10/25/1978 and 11/25/1978.

“David Rivera is a violent and dangerous criminal who needs to be taken off the streets as soon as possible,” said Assistant Secretary Garcia. “One of our most important homeland security missions at ICE is ensuring public safety. With the public’s help and tools like the ‘Most Wanted’ fugitives list, we can work together to identify, apprehend and prosecute fugitives like David Rivera who pose a direct threat to our communities.”

The search for Rivera is part of ICE’s national anti-gang initiative called “Operation Community Shield.” Launched in January 2005 with arrests commencing the following month, this initiative has resulted in the apprehension of more than 200 MS-13 members in cities across the country.

Operation Community Shield is designed to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute violent gang organizations. This initiative also involves strong partnerships and cooperation with existing federal, state, and local anti-gang efforts. Such partnerships are essential to the success of the initiative and to ensure officer safety during operations. ICE will also be working through its 54 Attaché offices overseas to cooperate with foreign governments that are also experiencing gang problems, particularly those in Central America.

The ICE “Most Wanted” fugitives list is one of several steps that ICE has taken to prioritize criminal threats and focus operational resources where they can be most effective. The list features individuals who have been charged with serious crimes, who have eluded law enforcement, and who pose a continuing threat to public safety and to our homeland.

Other ICE “Most Wanted” fugitives are charged with crimes that include international arms trafficking, drug smuggling, child pornography distribution and human rights violations.

ICE’s “Most Wanted” fugitives are given a top law enforcement priority. The list is posted on the ICE website at www.ice.gov, enabling the public to view the criminal aliens and call in tips on their whereabouts. Anyone with information about those on the list should call ICE’s toll-free number at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. The lines are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Inside ICE is an e-newsletter produced by the ICE Office of Public Affairs to inform the public about the mission, operations and activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Please send comments and contributions to Russ Bergeron, Editor.

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