ICE New York arrests alleged MS-13 gang associate wanted by Interpol, living near school

NEW YORK — ICE Homeland Security Investigations New York has arrested an alleged MS-13 associate wanted in El Salvador for aggravated extortion and threats to injure a person. The illegal alien was found to have been living just steps from a Long Island middle school after having illegally entered the United States years earlier.

HSI New York arrested Jamie Manual Perez Perez, 42, on Sept. 3 in Brentwood. The Salvadoran national was wanted by Interpol and had a Red Notice for aggravated extortion and threat to injure a person — charges stemming from crimes he allegedly committed in his home country. The arrest occurred following a vehicle stop conducted in coordination with ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“This alleged MS-13 associate resided mere feet from school property and went about his life virtually unchecked and consequence-free — until his past finally caught up with him," said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. "Children deserve to safely go to school each day without the fear of what evil might be lurking next door. I thank HSI New York’s Long Island investigators who, alongside our ICE partners, are targeting the proliferation and complacency of vicious transnational criminal street gangs in our communities every day.”

“This MS-13 gang member and international fugitive mistakenly thought he could hide out in the United States to evade justice in his home country,” said ERO New York City acting Field Office Director Judith Almodovar. “Let this arrest serve notice that we remain committed to protecting our communities by removing criminal illegal aliens from our country.”

U.S. Border Patrol initially apprehended Perez Perez in El Paso, Texas, on April 15, 2019, after he illegally entered the U.S. without admission or inspection by an immigration official. Border Patrol officials issued him a notice to appear and he was subsequently placed in removal proceedings, with an individual hearing scheduled for February 2026.

Perez Perez remains in ICE custody pending his removal from the U.S.

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.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)