ICE arrests one of El Salvador’s “Top 100 Most Wanted” hiding in Nebraska
OMAHA, Neb. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations arrested a high-ranking member of the violent MS-13 gang who was listed among El Salvador’s top 100 most wanted fugitives July 9.
The Salvadoran national is a criminal alien wanted in El Salvador for the aggravated homicide of five victims; attempted aggravated homicide; deprivation of liberty; and terrorist organization affiliation.
The criminal alien was apprehended alongside an MS-13 associate he was residing with and who was also in the United States illegally.
His associate, Rene Saul Escobar Ochoa, 30, is a criminal alien, known MS-13 gang member and foreign terrorist also wanted in El Salvador. Escobar Ochoa is accused of giving orders to fellow gang members to commit a variety of crimes, including multiple homicides, extortion, imprisonment and drug trafficking.
“When ICE agents move in to make an arrest, it is extremely important that the public not interfere,” said ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons. “The misinformation, and sometimes blatant lies, being spread around the country could result in someone stepping into a federal operation and suddenly finding themselves face-to-face with a killer who has nothing to lose.”
Both individuals were arrested without incident in a targeted enforcement action. They had embedded themselves in the Omaha area, where they posed severe threats to the local community’s safety.
“These illegal aliens didn’t just sneak into our country; they brought with them a legacy of violence, terror and death,” said HSI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito, whose office oversees Omaha. “They thought they could hide in America’s heartland, but they were sadly mistaken. Not on our watch.”
HSI, ICE’s Enforcement Removal Operations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are conducting the investigation.
“Our ICE officers and agents are protecting your neighborhoods, even when you don’t know the threat is there, so either support them or get out of the way,” concluded Lyons.
The investigation is ongoing.
Senator Pete Ricketts reacted.
“Incredible work by ICE arresting an MS-13 gang member in Omaha today. Biden's Border Crisis continues to leave Americans vulnerable to crime and criminals. That is a fact. Our ICE and CBP heroes should be heralded for their work to make America safer.”
Governor Pillen Praises State Patrol’s Involvement In MS-13 Arrests
LINCOLN, NE — Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement praising the Nebraska State Patrol’s leading role in the investigation that led to yesterday’s arrests of two violent, illegal alien MS-13 gang members in Omaha.
“We are now able to confirm publicly that yesterday’s MS-13 arrests are the direct result of incredible work by our team at the Nebraska State Patrol. This is a great example of a strong state-federal partnership — and how valuable that communication and coordination is to keeping Nebraskans safe. I’m very proud of this work, and I’ve asked that the State Patrol continue its work to get these illegal, violent criminals off our streets and deported out of our county.”
According to public statements, the Nebraska State Patrol’s Nebraska Information Analysis Center (NIAC Fusion Center) developed intelligence on the MS-13 gang member’s presence in Omaha and shared that information with federal partners at the Department of Homeland Security, leading to the arrests.
The NIAC Fusion Center is a collaborative effort of federal, state, and local agencies working in partnership to detect, prevent, apprehend, and respond to criminal and/or terrorist activity.
Yesterday, Gov. Pillen also thanked ICE officials for their bravery in carrying out the arrests and President Trump for his Administration's emphasis on deporting criminal illegal aliens and securing our borders.