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Second Fugitive Arrested on Unrelated Murder Charges in Banner Elk, Also Wanted in Maryland

The Avery County Special Response Team (SRT) in conjunction and cooperation with the United States Marshals Service executed a high risk fugitive apprehension in the Banner Elk area of Avery County on Nov. 4. Taken into custody was Milton A. Portillo-Rodriguez, a known and verified MS13 gang member from Maryland area for murder.

During the apprehension of Portillo-Rodriguez, Miguel A. Lopez-Abrego (also known as Miguel A. Lopez-Herrera) was arrested for resist-obstruct-or delay an officer. An investigation of Lopez-Abrego has found he is wanted in a murder in Montgomery County, Maryland. Avery County Sheriff’s Office has issued fugitive warrants for Lopez-Abrego for the murder in Montgomery County and is cooperating and assisting detectives from that jurisdiction. Miguel A.

Lopez-Abrego is also a known and verified MS-13 gang member. This is the second arrest of an MS-13 gang member in Avery County for murder. These two murders were not connected and were separate incidents. Miguel Lopez-Abrego is 18 years of age and is from El Salvador.