HYATTSVILLE, MD — A 2019 police stop involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia prompted gang intelligence documentation by the Prince George’s County Police Department, according to a newly released agency statement.
On March 28, 2019, a Hyattsville City Police officer reported stopping four men, including Abrego Garcia, and notified PGPD’s Gang Unit MS-13 Intelligence Squad. The officer reportedly recognized one of the individuals as a member of MS-13, prompting follow-up interviews by PGPD detectives.
PGPD detectives stated they had “reasonable suspicion” based on “training and experience” that three of the four individuals displayed traits associated with MS-13. According to the statement, the suspicion was based on “tattoos, clothing, as well as information from a source.”
The department completed a Gang Field Interview Sheet (GFIS) for each man, including Abrego Garcia, to document the intelligence. No charges or arrests were made at the time.
PGPD clarified that since the 2019 incident, they have not had any further contact with Abrego Garcia and have received no new intelligence regarding him.
Protective order on record after Abrego Garcia beat his U.S. citizen wife
His U.S. citizen wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, filed a protective order accusing him of physical assault, including punching and scratching.
I told him to give me his card to pay he got angry, start insulting me. I only put a few of gas, once leaving there, he pulled out like crazy.
I started recording because I was scared of the way he was driving and b/c our 1 year old was in the back sit in the recording you can hear him yelling, insulting me, driving extreme fast. On 5/04/2021 @ 1:00 I was watching in my laptop, and he yelled to turn it off.
I told him I wasn’t sleepy, he got angry, got up over and yelled, he threw my laptop in the and the baby started to cry because he was putting pressure on him, my reaction was to push him off of us, and he then punched, scratched me on my left eye, leaving me bleeding.
That same day @ 2:00 pm he came home and to say he was going out with a friend, I told him that I needed to go out to pick up some orders @ BJ’s he got angry started yelling again to the point that he rip my shorts and shirt off and ran to the bathroom, he warned he behind me grabbed me by my arm. I have marks on my left arm as well.
He then left came home @ 12:00 am left MY car parked in the neighborhood and in the morning locked him for the key and said he wasn’t going to give it to me b/c he has things to do.
I order Uber to leave with my kids b/c I scared of him minutes later he called that our car wasn’t there anymore at this point I am afraid to be close to him. I have multiples photos/videos of how violate he can be and all the bruises he has left me. The checks with me.
-restraining order filed by Jennifer Vasquez-Sura, wife of Abrego Garcia.
Former officer tied to interview later convicted
The department also identified former officer Ivan Mendez as one of the detectives who participated in the 2019 interviews and helped prepare the interview form. PGPD stated Mendez was suspended in April 2019 in an unrelated matter.
He later pleaded guilty to Misconduct in Office and was terminated in December 2022 following proposed disciplinary action. PGPD confirmed no further comments or details would be provided regarding Mendez or the 2019 stop.
Key Points
- Kilmar Abrego Garcia was interviewed by PGPD’s Gang Unit in 2019 but was not arrested or charged.
- PGPD documented suspected MS-13 traits during the stop based on tattoos, clothing, and intelligence sources.
- Former officer involved in the interview was later terminated over unrelated misconduct.
PGPD says there have been no further interactions or intelligence involving Abrego Garcia since the 2019 encounter.