On July 6, 2025, an arrest took place at a Super 8 motel in Sterling Heights, Michigan, where U.S. Border Patrol agents detained two undocumented individuals from El Salvador, one of whom admitted to being a member of the MS-13 gang.
Who Was Arrested?
The primary illegal migrant arrested was an El Salvadoran man who confessed to being a member of MS-13, a violent transnational gang known for crimes like murder, extortion, and drug trafficking.
While his name has not been released in most reports, he admitted to serving 20 years in a Salvadoran prison for murdering a rival gang member.
The second individual, identified as Ramos Hernandez, a Honduran national, was also undocumented and had a history of multiple deportations from the United States.
Who Else Was Involved?
The arrests involved cooperation between the Sterling Heights Police Department and U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Detroit Station.
The police initially detained the two men after responding to a report of an altercation at the Super 8 motel. Upon discovering their undocumented status, they called in Border Patrol for assistance.
Detroit Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Javier Geronimo Jr. praised the operation, stating, “This arrest is a clear example of how agents and our law enforcement partners are protecting our towns by removing violent criminals from our country.”
The two men were staying at the Super 8 motel in Sterling Heights when they got into a physical altercation on July 6, 2025.
The exact reason for their presence at the motel remains unclear, but the fight prompted local police to intervene.
During the investigation, authorities found more than five grams of crystal methamphetamine in their possession, indicating possible involvement in drug-related activities.
When Did They Arrive in the U.S., and How Did the MS-13 Member Return After Prison?
The MS-13 gang member’s journey to the U.S. is murky, but reports suggest he illegally entered the country after serving his 20-year sentence in El Salvador.
Ramos Hernandez, the second individual, told agents he paid a smuggler $15,000 to cross the U.S. border in February 2025.
Hernandez had been deported four times previously—in 2005, 2010 (after a drug charge), 2012, and 2016 (after an assault). Despite these removals, he managed to re-enter the U.S. illegally, highlighting the challenges of border security.
Ties to MS-13
The El Salvadoran illegal migrant openly admitted his affiliation with Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a gang designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration.
He also had a visible MS-13 tattoo, further confirming his ties. MS-13 originated in Los Angeles to protect Salvadoran immigrants but has since grown into a violent criminal network involved in murder, drug trafficking, and extortion across the U.S. and Central America.
Criminal Record
The MS-13 member’s most significant known crime is the murder of a rival gang member in El Salvador, for which he served 20 years in prison.
Details of additional crimes in El Salvador or the U.S. are not fully disclosed in available reports. Ramos Hernandez, on the other hand, has a documented history in the U.S., including a drug charge in 2010 and an assault in 2016, which led to his multiple deportations.
The discovery of crystal meth during their arrest suggests ongoing involvement in drug-related activities.
How Were They Found in Michigan?
The arrests stemmed from a routine police response to a fight at the Super 8 motel in Sterling Heights.
Sterling Heights police detained the two men and conducted record checks, which revealed their undocumented status.
Recognizing the need for federal involvement, they contacted U.S. Border Patrol’s Detroit Station.
Agents interviewed the men, during which the El Salvadoran admitted his MS-13 membership and criminal past.
The discovery of over five grams of crystal methamphetamine during the investigation escalated the situation.
There is no specific information in the reports about where the MS-13 member lived prior to his arrest in Michigan.
However, Ramos Hernandez’s multiple deportations suggest he repeatedly returned to the U.S., possibly living in various locations.
His ability to re-enter after four removals indicates a pattern of illegal border crossings, likely facilitated by smugglers.
Both men are currently in custody and being processed for removal from the United States.
The U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are working to deport them, likely to their home countries of El Salvador and Honduras, respectively.
Given their criminal histories and the MS-13 member’s terrorist organization ties, they are being held pending deportation proceedings.
Drugs Found at the Scene
During the arrest, Sterling Heights police seized just over five grams of crystal methamphetamine from the two men.
This discovery points to potential drug trafficking or personal use, further complicating their legal situation. The presence of drugs aligns with MS-13’s known involvement in the narcotics trade.
Additional Important Information
- Broader Context of MS-13 Arrests: The Sterling Heights arrests are part of a larger effort by federal authorities to crack down on MS-13 members across the U.S. For example, in Omaha, Nebraska, ICE arrested two senior MS-13 leaders just days later on July 9, 2025, including one on El Salvador’s “Top 100” fugitives list.
- Trump Administration’s Stance: The Trump administration has prioritized deporting MS-13 members, designating the gang as a terrorist organization. This has led to increased arrests, with over 2,700 MS-13 and other gang members apprehended in the first few months of 2025.
- Community Safety: The arrests highlight ongoing concerns about violent gang activity in U.S. communities. Sterling Heights, a suburban city near Detroit, is not typically associated with MS-13, making this incident particularly alarming for local residents.
The arrest of an MS-13 gang member and his associate at a Super 8 motel in Sterling Heights, Michigan, on July 6, 2025, underscores the ongoing battle against transnational gangs in the U.S.
The El Salvadoran’s admitted ties to MS-13, his 20-year murder sentence, and the discovery of crystal meth paint a troubling picture.
Ramos Hernandez’s history of repeated illegal entries further highlights border security challenges. Thanks to the swift action of Sterling Heights police and U.S. Border Patrol, these individuals are now facing deportation.
For more on recent arrests of illegal criminal migrants, visit DHS at ice.arrests
Leave a Reply