An 18-year-old MS-13 gang member named Marlyn Medrano-Ortiz, who entered the U.S. illegally, was arrested by Virginia authorities for allegedly committing a double homicide. The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Medrano-Ortiz, who was charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. The teenager is accused of killing Mijal Conejero-Romera and Diego Alexander Woollett in Sterling, Virginia, on August 28. Both victims were just 22 years old. The incident occurred following an apparent altercation in the early morning hours, resulting in the death of the two victims.
The investigation into the double homicide took a significant amount of manpower, involving numerous patrol units, detectives, and members of various specialized units. The investigation included the execution of 39 search warrants and the review of over 950 hours of video footage, multiple cell phones, and laptops. Loudon County Sheriff Mike Chapman strongly condemned MS-13 and criticized the lenient treatment of criminals who are in the country illegally. He emphasized that there should be no safe place for violent gangs like MS-13 in the U.S. Chapman also highlighted that MS-13 is known for using intimidation, crime, and violence as tools of their trade, and that they operate throughout the northern Virginia region.
According to one of Conejero-Romera’s friends, the victims were in a dating relationship and appeared to be happy together. Tinayia Henderson, a close friend of Conejero-Romera, said that the two victims seemed to be in love, with Conejero-Romera’s family describing how Woollett treated her like a princess. The arrest of Medrano-Ortiz is not an isolated incident, as MS-13 has been known to operate in the region. Sheriff Chapman highlighted a previous horrific crime that occurred in the county during the summer, indicating that MS-13 poses a significant threat to local communities. The authorities are working diligently to address these criminal activities and ensure the safety of residents.
The presence of MS-13 and other violent gangs in the nation and local communities has been strongly opposed by Sheriff Chapman. He emphasized that MS-13, which is an El Salvador-based gang, uses crime and violence as tactics and should not be tolerated in the U.S. Chapman also criticized the casual treatment of individuals who are illegally in the country and commit crimes against U.S. citizens and others. He reiterated that law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to address gang-related crime and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
The tragic incident involving the double homicide in Sterling, Virginia, serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by violent gangs like MS-13. The arrest of Medrano-Ortiz for his alleged involvement in the crime highlights the impact of illegal immigration on criminal activities in the U.S. Loudon County authorities are committed to combatting gang-related crime and ensuring the safety of residents in the region. Sheriff Chapman’s strong stance against MS-13 and his efforts to hold criminals accountable for their actions demonstrate the dedication of law enforcement to protect communities from violence and crime.