A notorious Peruvian gang leader, accused of 23 murders in his home country, was released into the United States by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Biden-Harris administration, only to be apprehended weeks later by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in New York.
Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, 38, also known as “Gianfranco 23,” is the alleged leader of the violent “Los Killers de Ventanilla y Callao” gang in Peru. He was taken into custody by ICE agents near Endicott, New York, in a sanctuary state that has been at odds with federal immigration authorities.
According to Peru’s High Complexity Crime Investigations Division, Torres-Navarro is a ruthless and cunning individual who has left a trail of bloodshed in his wake. “He is a highly dangerous criminal who thought he was above the law, responsible for 23 murders, including other gang leaders and their families, all to consolidate his power,” said Col. Franco Moreno.
Torres-Navarro initially crossed into the United States on May 16, near Roma, Texas, where he was apprehended by Border Patrol agents. Despite being a high-risk individual, he was given a Notice to Appear (NTA) before a federal immigration judge and released into the U.S. interior.
It wasn’t until July 8 that ICE agents discovered Torres-Navarro’s true identity and his connection to the Los Killers gang. His arrest was likely prompted by a series of violent incidents in Peru, including the murder of a retired police officer and the shooting of a restaurant employee.
Torres-Navarro’s girlfriend, Mishelle Sol Ivanna Ortiz Ubillus, who is considered his right-hand person and a leading figure in the Los Killers gang, was also arrested by ICE agents. Both Torres-Navarro and Ortiz Ubillus are currently in ICE custody, with Torres-Navarro being held in Buffalo, New York, and Ortiz Ubillus being detained in eastern Pennsylvania.
