MS-13 gang member with assault convictions removed to El Salvador

WASHINGTON – A 35-year-old El Salvadoran man was removed to his home country Friday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers.  

Ingmar Guandique-Blanco, a documented MS-13 gang member, was transferred to the proper law enforcement authorities upon his arrival in El Salvador. Guandique traveled via ground transportation from Virginia to Pennsylvania where he boarded a flight to Alexandria, Louisiana. From there, ICE officers removed him from the United States onboard an ICE Air Operations flight, which departed Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana, and made its way to San Salvador International Airport in El Salvador.

Guandique unlawfully entered the United States at an unknown location and on an unknown date. His criminal record is lengthy, dating back to May 2001 when he was arrested on local charges by Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department. In February 2002, he was sentenced to 10 years of incarceration on each of two counts for assault with intent to commit robbery. In February 2011, he was sentenced for first degree murder, but after requesting a new trial, his case was later dismissed.

On June 30, 2016, ERO Washington officers assumed custody of Guandique from the Washington, D.C. Central Detention Facility after the murder charges against him were dismissed. He was subsequently issued a notice to appear in immigration court. On March 3, an immigration judge issued Guandique a final order of removal which enabled ICE to remove him to El Salvador.

Prior to his removal, Guandique was detained at Farmville Detention Center in Virginia.