Salvadoran National Convicted of Third Degree Sex Offense in La Plata Maryland
Jose Marco Hernandez, a national of El Salvador unlawfully present in the United States, has been convicted of a third-degree sex offense in La Plata, Maryland. The conviction occurred in the Circuit Court for Charles County, where Hernandez was found guilty of the sexual misconduct charge. Following the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, immigration authorities have identified Hernandez as a priority for enforcement operations due to the severity of the conviction.
Local law enforcement in La Plata processed Hernandez through the Maryland judicial system, where he was afforded due process regarding the criminal charges. A third-degree sex offense in Maryland generally encompasses non-consensual sexual contact, a felony that carries significant legal penalties. Officials confirmed that Hernandez is considered a criminal non-citizen under federal immigration statutes.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have noted that Hernandez is subject to removal proceedings. According to federal guidelines, foreign nationals convicted of aggravated felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude are often placed in removal proceedings upon the completion of their criminal sentences. While local sanctuary policies in some Maryland jurisdictions can limit cooperation with federal immigration detainers, Charles County authorities adhered to the judicial outcome regarding the sex offense conviction.
Legal analysts note that the conviction for a third-degree sex offense serves as a primary ground for deportation under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Hernandez remains in custody as authorities coordinate the transition between local criminal detention and federal immigration custody. Defenders in similar cases often argue for relief based on asylum or convention against torture claims, though a serious criminal conviction creates a substantial legal barrier to remaining in the country. The case highlights ongoing coordination efforts between local judicial systems in Maryland and federal enforcement and removal operations.
ice.gov
