El Salvador National Arrested for Illegally Reentering the United States Following Deportation

A criminal complaint was filed today in federal court in Central Islip charging William Umberto Martinez Chavez with illegal reentry into the United States.  The defendant was arrested this morning in Huntington, New York, and made his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge A. Kathleen Tomlinson, where he was ordered detained.

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Thomas R. Decker, Field Office Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), announced the arrest.

“As alleged, Martinez Chavez illegally returned to the United States after he served a lengthy New York State prison sentence for a homicide he committed on Long Island, and was deported to El Salvador,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “This Office is firmly committed to prosecuting criminals who illegally reenter the United States, especially MS-13 gang members who break into the country after deportations resulting from violent crime convictions.”  Mr. Donoghue expressed his appreciation to the Joint Criminal Alien Removal Taskforce and the United States Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, Long Island Division, for their assistance with the case.

“Martinez Chavez is a known MS-13 gang member who was convicted of manslaughter, served his time and was removed from the United States, only to resurface on the same streets after having entered illegally,” stated ERO New York Field Office Director Decker.  “It is the job of the brave men and women of ICE to take those who break the laws of this country off the streets and see that they are removed back to their home countries.”

According to the complaint, Martinez Chavez, a Salvadoran national, was deported from the United States in October 2017, after having been convicted and served a sentence for manslaughter in connection with a May 2000 stabbing outside a deli in Huntington.  Martinez Chavez stabbed the victim, severing his aorta and causing his death.  The defendant has admitted to previously being a member of the MS-13 gang and still bears MS-13 tattoos, on his abdomen and on his chest.

If convicted, Martinez Chavez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The charge in the complaint is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Siegel is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

WILLIAM UMBERTO MARTINEZ CHAVEZ (also known as “William Martinez,” “William Martines,” “Wiliam Martinez Chavez” and “Julio Cordero”)
Age:  40
Huntington, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-MJ-297 (AKT)