Immigration officials are asking the public for information about Allan Adonay Contreras-Vasquez, a Honduran national whom the Department of Homeland Security describes as an MS-13 gang member and wanted suspect in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
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Immigration Update
The immigration alert identifies him as remaining at large.
DHS said in a statement released October 30, 2026, that Contreras-Vasquez remains at large after being released from county custody more than once.
The department alleges that he was previously arrested in connection with a violent assault and later faced charges including attempted murder.
The DHS account also says a witness reported that Contreras-Vasquez sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in January 2026.
That allegation has not been established as a conviction, and the suspect is entitled to due process in the criminal and immigration systems.
What DHS says happened in Maryland
According to DHS, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer against Contreras-Vasquez on December 16, 2025, while he was being held at the Prince George’s County Detention Center in Upper Marlboro.
The department says the detainer followed an assault investigation in Hyattsville.
DHS describes the incident as an attack in which a victim was allegedly followed after leaving a bus and stabbed multiple times by Contreras-Vasquez and five other suspects.
Prince George’s County later charged Contreras-Vasquez on February 18, 2026, with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, conspiracy charges, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and possessing a dangerous weapon with intent to injure, according to the federal statement.
DHS says county officials did not honor the ICE detainer and released him after the earlier arrest.
The agency further states that Contreras-Vasquez was arrested again in May 2026 and released in June 2026.
The department’s statement does not provide a current location for the suspect or explain the precise legal basis for each local release.
It says he remains wanted and at large, while the immigration status of the case remains subject to federal proceedings.
Sexual assault allegation remains unresolved
DHS said that, between the initial release and the announcement of the attempted-murder charges, a witness claimed Contreras-Vasquez raped a 13-year-old girl in January 2026.
The allegation is separate from the attempted-murder case described by DHS.
The department’s release does not state that a court has found Contreras-Vasquez guilty of either offense.
That distinction is important because an arrest, criminal charge or witness account is not the same as a conviction.
The available DHS material identifies the sexual assault claim as an allegation and does not provide a final court disposition.
How an ICE detainer works
An ICE detainer is an immigration enforcement request sent to a federal, state or local law enforcement agency that has custody of a person.
Under ICE guidance, the request generally asks the receiving agency to notify DHS before the person’s scheduled release and, when authorized, maintain custody for a limited period so ICE can assume custody.
The immigration detainer process is separate from the state criminal case.
A local jail controls custody under state or county authority, while ICE handles federal immigration custody and removal proceedings.
ICE guidance states that a detainer may request up to 48 additional hours beyond the time a person would otherwise be released.
The guidance also says immigration officers must have probable cause to believe the person is removable before issuing the detainer.
Whether a local agency honors an ICE detainer can depend on state law, local policy, court rulings and the specific circumstances of the request.
DHS alleges that Prince George’s County did not hold Contreras-Vasquez for ICE in this case.
DHS disputes Maryland’s handling of the case
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized Maryland’s handling of the matter and connected the case to the broader national immigration debate over sanctuary policies and cooperation between local agencies and federal immigration authorities.
DHS also said Contreras-Vasquez entered the United States through Texas in August 2023 and was arrested by Border Patrol before being released into the country during the Biden administration.
The statement does not identify the specific immigration process or release authority used in 2023.
Immigration cases can involve several forms of custody, parole, notices to appear and removal proceedings, and the DHS release does not provide a complete case file.
The agency’s announcement is therefore best understood as a public-safety, immigration-enforcement and law-enforcement alert, along with a policy criticism of local detention practices.
It is not a judicial finding that every allegation described in the release has been proven.
What the public should do
DHS is asking anyone with information that could help locate Contreras-Vasquez to contact the ICE tip line at 866-347-2423.
People who believe they have information about a wanted person should not attempt to confront or detain the individual themselves.
They should provide information directly to law enforcement and follow instructions from authorities.
ICE also operates online resources for immigration enforcement contacts and detainee information.
Those resources can help families, attorneys and government agencies understand whether a person is in federal custody, although the online detainee locator does not provide a complete record of every immigration case.
What remains unclear
The DHS announcement does not include court documents, an indictment, a charging affidavit, the text of the ICE detainer or a response from Prince George’s County officials.
It also does not state whether Contreras-Vasquez has been convicted of any offense, whether he has an attorney representing him, or whether a judge has issued a warrant connected to the criminal charges.
Those details could clarify the status of the state prosecution, the reasons for the releases and the federal government’s next steps.
Until additional records are available, the charges and sexual assault claim should be treated as allegations attributed to DHS and the underlying witness account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Allan Adonay Contreras-Vasquez?
DHS identifies him as a Honduran national and alleged MS-13 member who faces Maryland criminal charges and is currently described by the department as being at large.
What charges does DHS say Contreras-Vasquez faces?
DHS says Maryland prosecutors charged him with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, conspiracy, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and possessing a dangerous weapon with intent to injure.
What is an ICE detainer?
An ICE detainer is a federal request asking a local agency to provide advance notice of release and, when authorized, temporarily maintain custody so immigration officials can take custody.
How can the public provide information?
DHS says information that could lead to Contreras-Vasquez’s arrest should be reported to the ICE tip line at 866-347-2423. The public should not approach the suspect.
Fact-Checked: This report is based on the October 30, 2026 DHS statement and official ICE detainer guidance; the criminal charges and sexual assault account remain allegations unless established in court.
Disclaimer: This article is informational and does not determine criminal guilt or provide legal advice.
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