HOUSTON – Members of several law enforcement agencies will discuss the arrest and extradition of MS-13 gang member Douglas Alexander Herrera-Hernandez, who is accused of two murders in the Houston area.
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, HPD homicide commanders, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Harris County District Attorney's Office, and other agencies are holding a news conference at 1 p.m. Friday. We will bring it to you live on Click2Houston.com.
Hernandez is one of two MS-13 gang members sought in connection with two murders across the Houston region, according to authorities.
VIDEO: Officials discuss arrest of MS-13 gang member
He was arrested July 29 in Virginia.
The Texas Department of Public Safety announced Wednesday that Douglas Alexander Herrera-Hernandez, 20, and Carlos Alberto Gonzalez-Barahona, 26, were added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted list.
Investigators said Herrera-Hernandez, who is also known as “Terror,” is charged with capital murder charge in connection with the 2016 death of a 16-year-old boy.
Estuar Quinones' body was found on a jogging trail in Buffalo Run Park in Missouri City in June 2016.
Herrera-Hernandez is also wanted on a murder charge in connection with the July 9 death of Kevin Alvarez, 26, whose body was found by officers responding to reports of a shooting at 265 El Dorado Blvd.
Herrera-Hernandez was believed to be traveling with his girlfriend and their baby, police said.
It is unknown if his girlfriend and baby were with him when detained.
Quinones was allegedly murdered because he was giving police information about other gang murders.
“We know he’s already killed a juvenile, now he’s coming here and a couple weeks ago killed this individual. So we’re definitely looking for any help and lead locating him, not only him but anyone else who was out there with him,” Detective Wendell Gilbert with the Houston Police Department Homicide Division said.
Police sources said gang violence has increased in recent months with MS-13 waging war on rival gangs on the city’s southwest side.
HPD Chief Art Acevedo said the gang's ruthless record of murder, rape and drug trafficking ranks it as the most dangerous street gang in the city.
“It’s important for the immigrant community to understand that regardless of all the political rhetoric on immigration, and fear of Senate Bill 4, they need to come forward. The only ones who need to fear us in the Houston Police Department is these gangsters and other gangs like them,” Acevedo said.
Herrera-Hernandez is a Salvadoran national who is in the country illegally.
Gonzalez-Barahona is wanted on a murder charge in connection with the June 18 shooting death of his estranged girlfriend in northwest Houston, according to authorities. They said he is also wanted on an aggravated kidnapping charge after he kidnapped the driver of a pickup at gunpoint in Brazoria County. They said that truck was found abandoned June 20 in Wharton County.
Investigators said Gonzalez-Barahona has a tattoo of a star near his left elbow and other tattoos on his stomach, back, chest, legs, arms and both wrists.
Anyone with information was asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-252-8477. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the charging or arrest of each man.
