MS-13 gang member sentenced to more than 2 years for illegally re-entering the US after being previously deported

BALTIMORE – A Maryland MS-13 gang member was sentenced Friday to federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States after previously being deported following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations and the Baltimore County Police Department.

Ever Enrique Medina, a/k/a "Ever Enrique Andrade" and "Scorpion," 25, an El Salvadoran native living in Columbia, Md., was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar.

"This case demonstrates ICE HSI's partnership with local and state law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney's Office to combat the national security and public safety threats posed by transnational criminal street gang members," said William Winter, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Baltimore. "Let this be a reminder and deterrent to those gang members that illegally re-enter the United States after deportation: If encountered, we will arrest and remove you from our streets and prevent you from committing more crimes in our communities."

According to court documents and Medina's indictment, on Dec. 5, 2006, Medina was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. He was convicted of that charge in Howard County Circuit Court and was deported to El Salvador in April 2007. Prior to his DUI conviction, Medina, whose body is covered in MS-13 tattoos, pleaded guilty to possession of a concealed dangerous weapon and possession of marijuana. Medina was also stopped by police on several occasions with other known MS-13 members.

When Medina was charged with driving without a license, he admitted that he illegally re-entered the United States prior to Sept. 29, 2008. Medina failed to appear for the trial on Dec. 9, 2008 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On Dec. 27, 2009, a vehicle driven by a known MS-13 member was pulled over by Baltimore County Police for a traffic violation. Medina was a passenger in the car. The driver was arrested for giving the police a fraudulent identification card in a false name and refusing to provide an address. Medina was arrested on the outstanding warrant from his 2008 traffic case. When the officers searched the car following the arrests, they found two folding knives, one under the back seat and the other between the front driver and front passenger seats.

On Nov. 25, 2010, a fight occurred at the Cheers Bar and Grill in Baltimore County. During the fight, a witness saw a man attack the victim with a knife. The victim was stabbed in the left shoulder and back. The attacker also threatened the witness with the knife, slashing and missing him, and saying there would be "mara" consequences if he talked. Moments later, as patrons were being moved out of the bar, Medina tried to force his way back into the bar, past a security officer. The security officer forced Medina to the ground, at which time another man swung at the security officer. Medina got up, pulled a blue knife out of his pocket, and attempted to slash the security officer. The security officer jumped back and avoided the knife. Medina ran away from the bar, and was later apprehended in the nearby woods, in possession of the blue knife. The security officer identified Medina as the person who tried to slash him. Medina was charged with assault related to the attempted stabbing of the security officer. Subsequently, Medina was convicted of second degree assault in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow.