A known Venezuelan gang member accused of murder in Maryland was released from custody despite an active immigration detainer and now faces deportation, authorities said.
Wilmer Antonio Echenique-Navarro, 22, of Capitol Heights, was arrested in April 2024, for the fatal shooting of 40-year-old Derek Coleman in Takoma Park.
Despite an active detainer from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), he was released from Prince George’s County Department of Corrections custody, according to an ICE statement.
On Tuesday, March 18, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Baltimore apprehended Echenique-Navarro.
He remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
Echenique-Navarro is identified as a member of Tren de Aragua, a transnational criminal organization originating from Venezuela.
The gang has expanded throughout Latin America and the United States, following migration patterns of Venezuelan nationals.
