ICE ERO arrest MS-13 gang member wanted for murder in Honduras

BALTIMORE — A Honduran national residing in Randallstown, Md., wanted in his native country for homicide and robbery was arrested Monday by officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).

"Removing known gang members and criminal aliens from our streets is an ERO priority in maintaining the safety and quality of life that the citizens of Maryland expect," said Calvin McCormick, field office director for ERO Baltimore. "This arrest should serve as a reminder to foreign fugitives who mistakenly believe they can elude justice by fleeing to the U.S. ERO will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners, both domestic and abroad, not only to ensure that criminals are held accountable for their actions, but to safeguard the rights of law-abiding citizens here and overseas."

Oscar Orlando Amador Centeno, 29, a known MS-13 gang member, was arrested April 9 by ERO Baltimore Field Office Criminal Alien Program (CAP) officers attached to the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Task Force, at his Md. residence after he was identified as illegally re-entering the country after having been removed, a federal felony offense. Prior to his arrest, ERO officers obtained an INTERPOL Red notice issued in September 2011, stating that Centeno was wanted in his native country pursuant to an August 12, 2011 arrest warrant for murder and robbery. Additionally, Centeno has an active arrest warrant in Prince George's County, Md., for the offense of theft.

On Jan. 29, 2010, Centeno was deported for the offense of illegal entry into the United States. Centeno illegally re-entered into the United States at an unknown time and place. He is currently in ERO custody pending removal from the United States.

According to Centeno's INTERPOL red notice, on July 19, 2010 in Olancho, Honduras, he struck a victim three times in the head with a machete on a soccer field and stole his wallet. If convicted on the murder charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

At the time of Centeno's arrest, another male residing at the same residence, a 21-year-old citizen and national of Honduras, and also an MS-13 gang member, was encountered and arrested. He entered illegally into the United States at an unknown time and at an unknown place. He was taken into ERO custody pending immigration removal proceedings.

ERO enforces the nation's immigration laws in a fair and effective manner. It identifies and arrests removable aliens, detains these individuals when necessary, and removes them from the United States. ERO prioritizes the arrest and removal of convicted criminal aliens, those aliens who pose a threat to national security, immigration fugitives and recent border entrants. ERO's CAP provides ICE-wide direction and support in the identification and arrest of those aliens who are incarcerated within federal, state and local prisons and jails, as well as at-large criminal aliens.