BALTIMORE, MD—An illegal immigrant from Nicaragua who admitted to massacring 20 people while serving in the Nicaraguan army in the 1990s was arrested in Maryland earlier this month, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Javier Zeledon Reyes, 56, was arrested by ICE in Hyattsville on March 6 after he confessed to the killings during immigration proceedings. He had been apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville, Texas on March 29, 2023, and issued a notice to appear.
During a hearing with an immigration judge on March 5, Zeledon admitted to serving in the Nicaraguan military from 1995 to 1996 and recounted firing an AK-47 into a crowd of civilians, killing approximately 20 people. He also admitted to relocating to Mexico after the war and providing material support to a drug cartel. An immigration judge ordered Zeledon’s removal from the United States to Nicaragua, and he remains in ICE custody pending his removal.
“This arrest highlights exactly why ICE is vital to the safety of our nation,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Baltimore acting Field Office Director Matthew Elliston. “This individual, while in proceedings, admitted to his horrific past— massacring innocent people and later aiding a ruthless drug cartel in Mexico. His presence in the United States was a direct threat to public safety, and thanks to the diligent work of our officers, he will no longer be able to hide in our communities. ICE remains committed to identifying, arresting, and removing dangerous criminals who have no place in our neighborhoods.”
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
Photo via ICE
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