ICE lodges detainers for three MS-13 suspects charged in Maryland teen's murder

• TrueICE lodges detainers for three MS-13 members charged in Maryland murder
• TruePreliminary finding: 14-year-old allegedly lured and killed on August 2, 2025
• Tech ErrorDHS says the suspects had prior MPD arrests and were released from custody
• TrueDHS official says 7,000 gang members were arrested under the Trump administration

Key takeaways

• ICE lodged detainers on three people charged in the murder of 14-year-old Jefferson Amaya-Ayala in College Park, Maryland.
• The three named suspects are Alam Josai Garcia Padilla, Jose Vladimir Merlos-Majano, and William Ariel Cuellar Guiterrez; a fourth suspect, a 17-year-old, is also charged.
• Police discovered human remains at Indian Creek Stream Valley Park; the remains were later identified as Jefferson Amaya-Ayala and the death was ruled a homicide.
• The DHS release describes the three adults as criminal illegal aliens from El Salvador and known active associates of MS-13.
• The release says the suspects had prior arrests by the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia and were previously released from custody.
• Specific prior charges listed: Garcia Padilla — attempted unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of fraudulent documents; Merlos — defacing property and possession of a prohibited weapon (knife); Cuellar Guiterrez — multiple weapons and ammunition-related offenses.
• Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized local releases and said ICE should have been notified after the arrests.

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