Illegal immigrant Victor Antonio Martinez Hernandez, who was already wanted for the slaying of a woman in his native El Salvador, has been arrested and charged with the rape and murder of Rachel Morin, a mother of five who was killed while on a hiking trail last year. The Maryland sheriff, Jeffrey Gahler, expressed outrage over America’s open southern border, stating that Martinez Hernandez should not have been in the country in the first place.
Martinez Hernandez was apprehended at a bar in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after a police tip and DNA evidence led investigators to him. Sheriff Gahler emphasized the need for a workable immigration policy to prevent such tragedies, highlighting the public safety crisis caused by porous borders.
Former President Trump also weighed in on the case, blaming President Biden for allowing Martinez Hernandez to enter the country. The arrest of Martinez Hernandez was a result of collaborative efforts between multiple agencies, including the FBI and law enforcement officials in Los Angeles and Tulsa.
The FBI’s investigative genetic genealogy team played a crucial role in identifying the suspect, tracing his DNA to potential family members and ultimately leading to his arrest. Morin’s mother expressed gratitude for the diligent work of law enforcement in bringing justice for her daughter.
The case underscores the need for bipartisan efforts to address border security issues and prevent similar incidents in the future. Martinez Hernandez is set to be extradited back to Maryland to face charges for the heinous crimes he is accused of committing.
