2017 Republican gubernatorial nominee Ed Gillespie today responded to The Washington Post’s report regarding another MS-13 related murder in Virginia. According to the Post, Wilfredo Guardado-Huezo was stabbed to death in Manassas on April 17 by two members of the gang.
“It is deeply disturbing to hear that MS-13 is responsible for another tragic murder in Virginia,” said Gillespie. “As governor, my first priority will be to ensure Virginians’ safety and that means immediately working to eradicate gangs. Gangs prey on our most vulnerable communities, including immigrant communities. It is time for Virginia’s elected leadership to support law enforcement in their work to eradicate our gang problem before it becomes even worse. By combating gangs, reinstating Project Exile and banning sanctuary cities, I know we will create a safer Virginia and protect innocent lives.”
According to The Washington Post, “MS-13 has been going through a resurgence in the D.C. area in recent months. It has been tied to killings in Montgomery, Fairfax and Prince William counties and a surge in other crimes.” (The Washington Post, 8/14/17).
Last month, Gillespie released Job One: Keeping Virginia Safe, his plan to combat gangs, reinstate Project Exile and reward those who serve and protect. As governor, Gillespie will designate the Attorney General to Serve as the Commonwealth’s Anti-Gang Chief, secure funding for the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force, ban Sanctuary Cities in Virginia, expand the “Youthful Offender Program” at the Virginia Department of Corrections, ensure the continuation of school resource officers (SROs) in schools, pursue funding of the Witness Protection Programs in violent gang activity, establish Gang Prevention Programming at Department of Education, and develop Alternative Educational Opportunities for Known Gang Members.
Last week, the Virginia Police Benevolent Association endorsed Gillespie, citing his detailed policies to reform the mental health system, combat the opioid epidemic, eradicate gangs, ban sanctuary cities, reinstate Project Exile, and increase law enforcement pay.
Background
- Last week, a newly unsealed search warrant revealed Wilfredo Guardado-Huezo’s murder was related to MS-13 (The Washington Post, 8/14/17).
- This month in Woodbridge, the FBI captured a known MS-13 gang member, who was on the FBI’s “10 Most Wanted” list in connection with a murder in New Jersey. He had entered in the United States illegally (NBC News, 8/12/17).
- In July, Arlington County Police along with ICE arrested an MS-13 gang member for two homicides in Texas (Fox5, 7/29/17).
- Darwin Martinez Torres, who was arrested for allegedly abducting and killing Nabra Hassanen, has also been accused of a previous assault and being a member of MS-13 (The Washington Post, 6/27/17).
- In March, three MS-13 gang members, who are also illegal immigrants, were charged with murder of 17 year-old Raymond Wood in Bedford County (WSET, 3/31/17).
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