HSI Closes 20-Year Murder Case With Extradition From El Salvador
A man who murdered a woman in Kansas in 2005 then fled to El Salvador spent nearly 20 years as a fugitive — until HSI agents tracked him down, extradited him, and put him behind bars for life. The case closed on January 20, 2026, with a conviction for premeditated first-degree murder. It is a stark reminder that fleeing the US after a crime does not mean escaping US justice.
A 20-Year Fugitive Finally Faces Justice
Angel Maria Herrera, 43, a Salvadoran national, was sentenced to 50 years in prison — a sentence Kansas courts call a "Hard 50," which is treated as a life sentence — for the 2005 murder of Maria Morfin in Lenexa, Kansas. Herrera fled the United States shortly after the killing and lived in El Salvador for nearly two decades before Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents tracked him down. He was extradited back to the US in September 2024.
HSI Kansas City agents played a central role in building the case. They coordinated the travel of two key witnesses to the United States to testify at trial. That testimony led to Herrera's conviction on January 20, 2026, for premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated burglary. The effort involved the Johnson County District Attorney's office, US Customs and Border Protection port directors in Kansas City and Houston, HSI headquarters in Washington D.C., and the HSI Representative in Mexico City.
Deportation Defense Checklist — Free
Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
"Justice transcends time and distance," said HSI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Rick Sabatini. "While we can't bring the victim back, we can bring closure to her friends and family, and reassurance to the public that HSI never gives up." The case shows that US immigration enforcement agencies actively pursue individuals who flee the country after committing serious crimes — and that extradition from Central America is possible even after many years.
What This Means for Immigrants in Removal Proceedings
This case is a reminder that a criminal record — especially for a violent crime — can have severe immigration consequences. Under US immigration law, a conviction for an aggravated felony (a legal term that includes murder and other serious crimes) makes a person permanently ineligible for most immigration benefits, including asylum, a green card, or any form of relief from deportation (called "removal proceedings"). If you or someone you know is facing removal proceedings and has any criminal history, getting legal help immediately is critical.
What to do
- If you are in removal proceedings (the formal legal process to deport someone from the US), contact an immigration lawyer as soon as possible — deadlines to appeal a removal order are strict: you have only 30 days to file an appeal.
- If you have a criminal record of any kind, ask an immigration attorney how it may affect your green card application, asylum case, or work permit (EAD — Employment Authorization Document) before filing anything.
- If you receive a notice to appear in immigration court, do not ignore it. Missing a hearing can result in an automatic removal order issued against you.
- If you are a witness or victim of a crime in the US, you may have special immigration protections — ask a lawyer about U visa eligibility (a visa for crime victims who help law enforcement).
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
A conviction for an aggravated felony — which includes murder, rape, and many other serious crimes — permanently bars someone from nearly all forms of immigration relief, including asylum and adjustment of status (applying for a green card from inside the US). Even a pending criminal charge can affect your immigration case before a conviction occurs. If you are in removal proceedings and have any criminal history, consult an immigration attorney immediately to understand your rights and available defenses before deadlines pass.