A fugitive known as “the witch” – David Antonio Aviles Perez – has been apprehended in San Diego, California, after years evading an international warrant for aggravated murder.
Perez, a 35-year-old MS-13 gang member, was wanted in El Salvador for a brutal 2014 killing. The indictment detailed a horrific attack where the victim was shot repeatedly in the chest, back, and face.
Despite a previous arrest in California in 2023 for assault with a deadly weapon – wielding a machete – and other charges, Perez was released back into the community.
The release stemmed from California’s sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. This decision allowed a known gang member, wanted for murder in another country, to remain free.
Federal authorities moved swiftly to arrest Perez on March 26th, securing his custody while awaiting removal proceedings. The arrest highlights the consequences of policies that prioritize release over public safety.
The case has ignited criticism of California’s sanctuary law, with officials arguing it directly endangered citizens by allowing a dangerous criminal to roam free. His prior arrest included charges of possession of a controlled substance and petty theft.
El Salvador had already sentenced Perez to 20 years in prison for the 2014 murder, a sentence he avoided by fleeing the country. The details of the crime paint a picture of calculated violence and gang brutality.
His entry into the United States remains unknown, but Perez is now in federal custody, facing imminent deportation to El Salvador to answer for the crimes he committed years ago.
The apprehension represents a victory for those advocating for stricter immigration enforcement and a renewed focus on removing dangerous criminals from American streets.
