Peruvian Gang Leader Arrested in US for 23 Homicides in Home Country

Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, the reported leader of the gang “Los Killers,” was detained Wednesday in New York after an order from Peru on July 8 for his capture.

The Details: Navarro is currently held by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in New York. Navarro’s girlfriend, Mishelle Sol Ivanna Ortíz Ubillús, also arrested by ICE agents, is currently being held in a processing center in Pennsylvania, following Peruvian claims of her involvement with the gang.

For Context: Navarro crossed the U.S. southern border on May 16, where he was arrested and immediately released with a summons to attend immigration proceedings. Navarro, also known as Gianfranco 23, a name representing the number of people he killed, committed the latest alleged homicide on a retired police officer in San Miguel in March. The U.S. and Peru have had an extradition treaty since 2001.

How The Media Covered It: Media across the political spectrum showed common ground by highlighting the same negative sentiments people have regarding criminals such as Navarro. Outlets on the left were less likely to cover the story than those on the right and often just republished the Associated Press (Lean Left bias) story. Some outlets on the right tended to omit that the Peruvian Government did not call for extradition until July 8.