MS-13 gang member sentenced to 42 months in federal prison

Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today that Walter Adan Martinez, 37, El Salvador, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon. Martinez previously pleaded guilty by information to charges of illegal re-entry.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to prosecuting those individuals who illegally re-enter the country, especially those who have violent criminal histories, and are a risk to public safety,” said Minkler. 

Martinez, an MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, has a lengthy criminal history and was originally deported in 2011, subsequent to two previous felony convictions for second degree assault and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury. Martinez later returned to the United States and was arrested again in January of 2014 on felony charges of sexual misconduct with a minor. Martinez was sentenced to the Indiana Department of Correction. Following Martinez’s release from state custody in January of 2019, Martinez was turned over to the federal immigration authorities on a previously issued detainer and was held in custody until being arrested in 2019.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Removal Operations (ERO).

“Walter Martinez is a known MS-13 gang member and convicted felon who was removed from the United States only to resurface and be arrested – and convicted, for sexual misconduct of with a minor,” said Field Office Director Robert Guadian, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago. “It is the job of the brave men and women of ERO to continue 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 Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn E. Olivier, who prosecuted this case for the government, Martinez will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence and is subject to deportation.

In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the office’s firm commitment to utilize and partner with law enforcement agencies to prosecute illegal immigration cases. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Section 1.8.