Hailey
A Mexican national who was deported from the United States four times has once again been arrested, this time in Kansas City. Authorities say the man is a known member of the Sureños gang and has a long history of criminal activities across multiple U.S. states.
His repeated illegal entries and violent background have raised serious concerns about border security and public safety.
Who Is Mario Torrez-Lopez?
Mario Torrez-Lopez, 34, is a self-admitted member of the Sureños gang, a criminal organization known for its violent acts and illegal operations in the U.S.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Torrez-Lopez has been deported four times since 2016 — in the years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022. Each time he was removed, he illegally re-entered the country.
Arrest in Kansas City by ICE
ICE officers recently arrested Torrez-Lopez in Kansas City during a targeted enforcement operation. This operation was focused on finding and removing individuals who pose a threat to public safety.
According to Mark Zito, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Torrez-Lopez fits that description perfectly.
“He’s exactly the kind of threat we are determined to find, stop, and remove from our communities,” said Zito.
Long Criminal Record Across States
Torrez-Lopez’s criminal background stretches back more than a decade and includes offenses in multiple states:
- In 2012, he was arrested in Indianapolis for resisting arrest and illegally passing a school bus, which led to felony and misdemeanor convictions.
- In 2017, after illegally returning to the U.S., he was sentenced to 30 days in federal custody.
- In 2018, he again re-entered the country and received an 18-month prison sentence for the offense.
- In 2020, he was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and placed under three years of supervised release.
- In 2022, after breaking the terms of his supervision, he was sent back to federal prison.
Gang Involvement Behind Bars
During his time in prison, Torrez-Lopez admitted to joining the Sureños gang. Even after being released and deported, he remained involved with the gang. ICE believes that his continued connection to this violent group makes him even more dangerous.
Current Legal Status
After his most recent arrest in Kansas City, ICE has reinstated his previous removal order. Torrez-Lopez will remain in ICE custody while he waits for his upcoming court hearings. Officials hope to permanently remove him from the country and stop his cycle of illegal entry and crime.
The story of Mario Torrez-Lopez shows how criminals with gang ties can repeatedly cross U.S. borders and cause harm in local communities. Despite being deported multiple times, he continued to return and break the law.
His arrest in Kansas City brings a temporary pause to his actions, but it also highlights the need for stronger immigration enforcement and better tracking of repeat offenders. ICE is now working to ensure he does not pose a threat to American families again.