Gang Member Now Charged With Shooting After Being Released By NYPD, Despite ICE Hold

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement press release...

NEW YORK CITY, NY - Denery Steven Lemus-Najarro, 21, is in federal custody following his Aug. 18, arrest by the New York Police Department. The unlawfully present Guatemalan citizen was charged due to his involvement in a gang-related shooting in Queens, New York.

According to public court documents, Lemus-Najarro, is an alleged18th Street gang member who has an outstanding removal order. Law enforcement officers identified Lemus-Najarro as the suspect in the Aug. 14 shooting in Queens. The incident left one man with a gunshot wound to the leg.

In January, NYPD arrested Lemus-Najarro on criminal possession of a firearm charges. Following the subject's arrest, ERO officers lodged a detainer with NYPD. The detainer was not honored and Lemus-Najarro was released from custody and back into the community.

On Aug. 20, the FBI's New York Metro Safe Streets Task Force arrested Lemus-Najarro on illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition charges. He is currently detained in U.S. Marshals Service custody pending trial.