NEW YORK—A reputed Peruvian gang leader suspected in 23 killings in his home country was apprehended on Wednesday in New York by U.S. immigration authorities.
Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, the head of the infamous group “Los Killers” wanted for the murders in Peru, was taken into custody in Endicott, New York, approximately 145 miles (233 kilometers) northwest of New York City, as announced by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Thursday. He is currently detained at a federal facility near Buffalo awaiting an immigration hearing.
Torres-Navarro, aged 38, unlawfully entered the U.S. through the Texas-Mexico border on May 16. He was detained the same day and issued a notice to appear for immigration proceedings, according to ICE. Following information received on July 8 indicating his wanted status in Peru, U.S. authorities acted promptly to arrest Torres-Navarro.
“Gianfranco Torres-Navarro poses a significant threat to our communities, and we won’t allow New York to be a safe haven for dangerous noncitizens,” stated Thomas Brophy, the director of enforcement removal operations for ICE’s Buffalo field office.
Additionally, immigration agents apprehended Torres-Navarro’s girlfriend, Mishelle Sol Ivanna Ortíz Ubillús, identified by Peruvian authorities as his right-hand woman. She is currently held at a processing center in Pennsylvania, according to ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System.
Information on legal representation for Torres-Navarro and Ortíz Ubillús was not available in online immigration detention records.
Peru’s justice system confirmed to The Associated Press that the capture of Torres-Navarro and his partner Ortiz-Ubilluz was ordered on July 3.
Col. Franco Moreno, head of Peru’s High Complexity Crime Investigations Division, revealed that they monitored phone calls, geolocations, and messages from Torres-Navarro and his gang consisting of at least 10 members.
“He is a highly dangerous criminal who believed he was untouchable and responsible for 23 murders, including eliminating other gang leaders and their families to solidify his criminal dominance,” Moreno stated.
According to Peruvian authorities, Torres-Navarro leads a criminal group known as “Los Killers de Ventanilla y Callao” that utilizes violence to thwart competitors trying to infringe on their primary extortion activities targeting construction companies.
Reports from Peruvian media indicated that Torres-Navarro fled Peru following the killing of retired police officer Cesar Quegua Herrera and the shooting of a municipal employee at a restaurant in San Miguel in March.
Six alleged members of “Los Killers” were apprehended in June in connection to homicide, contract killing, and extortion, as reported by the National Police of Peru.
Prior to leading “Los Killers,” Torres-Navarro was associated with the criminal organization Los Malditos de Angamos, as per Peru’s Public Prosecutor’s Office. He is also known as “Gianfranco 23,” referencing the number of individuals he is accused of murdering.
Torres-Navarro managed to evade accountability for his alleged crimes in the past.
In 2019, while evading authorities, he was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison for illegal possession of weapons. He was eventually apprehended in 2021 at a toll checkpoint near Lima, Peru’s capital, but was released in December after an acquittal. Subsequently, “Los Killers” escalated their violent activities, culminating in the shooting incident in San Miguel.
Ortiz Ubillús, Gianfranco’s girlfriend, plays a significant role in “Los Killers,” according to Peruvian authorities. Described as Torres Navarro’s romantic partner, lieutenant, and treasurer by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, she also maintains a substantial following on TikTok, showcasing their extravagant lifestyle and activities.
By Michael R. Sisak and Franklin Briceno
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