A convicted killer known for wielding machetes walked free in California only to be recaptured by federal agents, exposing a dangerous collision between state sanctuary policies and gang violence enforcement.
When Sanctuary Becomes a Shield for Violence
Federal immigration agents arrested an MS-13 gang member known as “The Witch” in San Diego after California authorities released him despite pending charges related to a machete attack. The individual, identified as Aviles Perez under the Spanish alias “la bruja,” had already been convicted of a 2014 gang-related killing in El Salvador. His release under California’s sanctuary policies created a window between state custody and federal intervention that allowed a convicted killer to remain at large on American streets.
🇺🇸 ICE just nabbed a machete-wielding MS-13 executioner known as “the witch” in San Diego.
David Antonio Aviles Perez, wanted in El Salvador for brutal gang murder, was previously arrested in California for swinging a machete at someone but released under sanctuary laws.
Now in… pic.twitter.com/DZGMeGaRNi
— Steven Latham (@StevenJLatham1) April 2, 2026
The Sanctuary State Framework That Made Release Possible
California’s sanctuary state status, formalized through Senate Bill 54 in 2017 under Governor Gavin Newsom’s support, restricts local law enforcement from honoring ICE detainer requests for individuals not charged with serious violent felonies. The law aims to protect immigrant communities from what advocates view as federal overreach, but critics argue it creates dangerous loopholes. In this case, state authorities released “The Witch” after machete attack charges, effectively forcing federal agents to conduct a separate operation to recapture someone already in government custody.
MS-13’s Machete Signature and Transnational Reach
MS-13 emerged in Los Angeles during the 1980s among Salvadoran immigrants fleeing civil war, evolving into one of the most violent transnational criminal organizations operating across the Americas. The gang became infamous for machete executions, a brutal signature tactic that distinguishes their violence from other criminal enterprises. “The Witch” represents a direct link between El Salvador’s gang ecosystem and California’s border communities, where MS-13 maintains territorial control through intimidation and extreme violence. His 2014 conviction in El Salvador and subsequent presence in San Diego illustrates how gang members circulate between countries despite criminal records.
San Diego’s position as a border city makes it particularly vulnerable to MS-13 infiltration, with gang members exploiting immigration flows and sanctuary protections. Federal agents must navigate a complex enforcement environment where state policies actively limit their ability to detain known criminals. The friction between California’s immigration stance and ICE operations creates jurisdictional conflicts that occasionally result in violent offenders slipping through bureaucratic gaps, as happened with “The Witch” before his eventual recapture.
The Policy Debate This Case Reignites
This arrest amplifies the national debate over sanctuary policies and public safety. Supporters of sanctuary laws argue they encourage immigrant communities to cooperate with police without fear of deportation, improving overall safety. Opponents point to cases like “The Witch” as evidence that such policies endanger Americans by preventing the removal of criminals with violent histories. The fact that ICE had to conduct a separate operation to arrest someone already in state custody after machete charges demonstrates how sanctuary frameworks can complicate straightforward public safety decisions.
The political implications extend beyond immigration enforcement into broader questions about state versus federal authority. Governor Newsom and California legislators designed SB 54 to assert state sovereignty over immigration matters traditionally controlled by federal agencies. ICE’s successful recapture demonstrates federal law ultimately supersedes state restrictions, but the additional resources and time required to re-arrest an already identified threat raises questions about efficiency and accountability in protecting communities from gang violence.
What Happens Next and Broader Implications
“The Witch” remains in ICE custody with potential deportation to El Salvador, where his 2014 conviction could result in additional legal consequences. His case joins a growing roster of MS-13 enforcement actions nationwide, including recent arrests of gang leaders wanted for multiple murders. The pattern suggests federal agencies are intensifying pressure on MS-13 networks despite state-level obstacles, potentially setting precedents for how immigration enforcement navigates sanctuary jurisdictions in future operations involving violent criminals with international warrants.