A chilling figure known as “the witch” – David Antonio Aviles Perez, a notorious MS-13 gangster – is once again in custody in California, reigniting a fierce debate over the state’s sanctuary policies. Perez, wanted in El Salvador for aggravated murder, was apprehended by ICE agents in San Diego, a stark reversal from his release in 2023.
The story began with a terrifying incident in Monterey, California. Perez allegedly brandished a machete at a man, leading to his initial arrest on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, alongside charges of drug possession and petty theft. Despite the severity of the accusations, he was released due to the state’s limitations on cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Federal officials are now sharply criticizing California’s sanctuary law, arguing it directly enabled Perez’s freedom. The release, they contend, placed communities at risk by returning a dangerous criminal to the streets. The timing of his re-arrest, coinciding with the swearing-in of a new DHS Secretary, adds another layer of political tension to the case.
In El Salvador, Perez – known as “la bruja” – already faced a 20-year sentence for a brutal gang killing in 2014. Court documents detail a horrific act of violence, alleging he shot a victim multiple times in the chest, back, and face. He was a confirmed member of MS-13, a gang synonymous with extreme brutality.
After crossing the border at an unknown date, Perez’s alleged violence continued in California. The incident at Laguna Grande Park, where he allegedly threatened a homeless man with a machete, highlights the immediate danger he posed. The weapon was recovered, yet he was still released after being charged and convicted.
Now, Perez is being held pending deportation to El Salvador, a significant shift from his previous release. The case serves as a potent example, according to federal authorities, of the potential consequences of sanctuary policies and the risks associated with releasing individuals wanted for violent crimes in their home countries.
The arrest underscores the complex intersection of immigration law, public safety, and state versus federal authority. It’s a story of a dangerous criminal, a controversial law, and the enduring question of how to balance compassion with the need to protect communities from harm.
