A massive immigration operation in Plum Grove, Texas has led to nearly 120 arrests, including a notorious MS-13 gang member who had been deported six times before and was wanted for a brutal murder committed just hours before his capture.
He should never have been here to begin with.
At a Glance
- Law enforcement agencies arrested nearly 120 illegal immigrants in Colony Ridge, Texas, including an MS-13 gang member accused of murder
- Luis Miguel Perez-Miranda, 34, from El Salvador, has been deported six times previously and was arrested hours after allegedly killing a man
- The operation involved collaboration between ICE, Texas Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security, and Liberty County Sheriff’s Office
- Those arrested faced charges including homicide, child sexual abuse, drug offenses, and other serious crimes
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the operation targeting Colony Ridge, an area known for illegal immigration and cartel activity
Dangerous MS-13 Member Captured After Murder
Federal and state authorities in Texas successfully apprehended Luis Miguel Perez-Miranda, a 34-year-old El Salvadoran national and alleged MS-13 gang member, during a major immigration operation in Plum Grove, Texas. Perez-Miranda was arrested just hours after allegedly murdering Julian Salas Lopez in the Colony Ridge subdivision, demonstrating the speed and efficiency of law enforcement’s response to violent crime in the community.
According to officials, Perez-Miranda has been deported from the United States six times previously and has an extensive criminal history including drug trafficking and illegal entry. The suspect is currently being held on a $5 million bond as he awaits prosecution for the murder charges. His capture came as part of a broader operation targeting criminal illegal immigrants in the Houston area.
The operation in Colony Ridge resulted in approximately 120 arrests, focusing on individuals residing illegally in the United States who posed threats to public safety. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the operation, specifically targeting the Colony Ridge development, an area that has drawn attention for its large immigrant population and alleged connections to cartel activity.
The joint effort involved U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Texas Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. Officials confirmed that those arrested faced serious charges including criminal sexual conduct, homicide, theft, negligent manslaughter, child sexual abuse, and various drug offenses, representing a significant removal of criminal elements from the community.
Swift Action Protects Community
Law enforcement officials conducted an extremely rapid response to Perez-Miranda’s alleged crime potentially prevented further violence. The suspect was apprehended within hours of the murder, demonstrating the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in addressing violent crime and immigration violations simultaneously.
“Without their incredible sacrifice and commitment to execute their mission at the highest level, this dangerous MS-13 gang member who allegedly butchered an innocent man earlier in the day would still be at-large in the community posing a potential threat to every Houstonian he encountered,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford said.
The MS-13 gang, which originated in Los Angeles but consists primarily of Central American immigrants, was recently designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. Department of Justice. This designation enables authorities to impose tougher penalties on members and associates of the group, which has been linked to numerous violent crimes across the country.
The Colony Ridge operation aligns with broader efforts to address illegal immigration and associated criminal activities in Texas. Officials noted that while the operation specifically targeted known criminals and national security threats, all individuals found to be in the country illegally could face deportation proceedings under current immigration laws.
“The residents in Southeast Texas can rest easier knowing this dangerous transnational gang member has been removed from the community and is safely in custody. Thanks to the close relationships we have with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we were able to quickly apprehend him within a matter of hours before he could endanger anyone else in the area,” ICE Homeland Security Investigations Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz said.
Despite criticism from some quarters, ICE officials defended their work as essential to public safety.
Democrats don’t want these raids to continue, for some reason – but the American people do.
