U.S. Deportation of Homicide Suspect to El Salvador Jeopardizes Racketeering Case

Bruce Zagaris

"On August 3, 2008, the media focused on the problems to the prosecution of a racketeering case due to the precipitous deportation of an alleged member of Mara Salvatrucha who was under investigation at the time of his deportation.

The deportation of William Osorio-Rivas, 20, to El Salvador a few weeks before the issuance of an indictment in June 2008 has jeopardized the successful prosecution.

According to law enforcement authorities, U.S. law enforcement has investigated Osorio-Rivas’ alleged link to an April 22, 2007, homicide and shooting since at least late 2007. The deportation occurred after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took Osorio-Rivas into custody in January 2008 and charged him with immigration fraud. Authorities found fraudulent Social Security cards and green cards in the Forestville, Maryland house where he was staying...[more]"