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Wanted MS13 Gang Member from Maryland Arrested in Banner Elk on Murder Charges

Milton A. Portillo-Rodriguez, a known and verified MS13 gang member from Maryland area, was taken into custody.

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 Saturday morning. Taken into custody was Milton A. Portillo-Rodriguez, a known and verified MS13 gang member from Maryland area.

Portillo-Rodriguez is wanted for a murder which occurred on June 24, 2017 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Portillo-Rodriguez is 22 years old and was born in El Salvador. He is awaiting extradition proceedings to be taken back to stand trial for his crimes. Portillo-Rodriguez is currently being held in Avery County Jail without bond until his initial hearing on Nov. 9.

“Everything went as planned this morning and we were able to take a really bad guy off the streets who thought that he could hide in our rural community, he thought wrong” stated Sheriff Kevin Frye of Avery County.