ICE MS-13 arrest exposes Montgomery County's soft-on-crime leadership

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 26-year-old Salvadoran national Nelson Vladimir Amaya-Benitez in Gaithersburg on May 12, 2025, the agency announced yesterday. ICE described Amaya-Benitez as "a validated MS-13 gang member." ICE Baltimore acting Field Officer Director Nikita Baker blasted Montgomery County officials for not honoring four detainers it placed on Amaya-Benitez at times he was in custody since 2017. But what's equally-astonishing, is the list of crimes he committed in Montgomery County between 2017 and 2024, and the favorable treatment he received from Montgomery County judges and elected officials, who allowed him to continue preying on the community until his arrest by ICE on Monday.

Amaya-Benitez already had a criminal record in Texas, before he even arrived in Montgomery County in 2017. Yet, knowing this, and that Amaya-Benitez was in the country illegally, MoCo judges gave him incredibly light sentences. In 2017, he was convicted of armed robbery in Montgomery County, but received a sentence of only 18 months. In 2023, he was convicted of theft in Montgomery County. Despite his criminal record now including the previous armed robbery, a Montgomery County judge suspended his entire sentence(!!). Less than a month later, Amaya-Benitez was convicted of motor vehicle theft, and rogue and vagabond (the act of breaking into - or testing door handles of - cars with the intent to steal items inside). He then received a jail sentence of only 18 months.

Three days later, Amaya-Benitez was convicted of 2nd-degree malicious burning in Montgomery County. The judge in that case also sentenced him to 18 months. ICE lodged a detainer on him with the Montgomery County Detention Center on October 11, 2023, which was not honored by Montgomery County. The agency reported yesterday that Montgomery County not only prevented ICE from deporting Amaya-Benitez, but released him as a free man "on an unknown date."

With Montgomery County sending a clear message of minimal consequences for criminal activity, and protection from deportation, Amaya-Benitez was arrested and charged with attempted motor vehicle theft in Montgomery County on September 29, 2024. He was convicted of that crime on April 4 of this year. What was his sentence from the Montgomery County judge, with the above rap sheet in front of the court? Hold on to your seat, folks: 7 months and 19 days.

If your mind isn't blown yet, Amaya-Benitez never even served that light sentence. According to ICE, Montgomery County released him into the community again on April 18, 2025, only 14 days after his conviction. 

Montgomery County officials were clearly delighted to host Amaya-Benitez, and to allow him to prey on the residents who pay their salaries. His case underscores yet again their soft-on-crime, anti-police, pro-criminal policies, which have helped sustain a violent crime wave since 2020. On this matter alone, no Montgomery County elected official should be returned to office in 2026. 

After eight years of committing crimes against Montgomery County residents with the help of Montgomery County officials, Amaya-Benitez is now in ICE custody. Perhaps this "Maryland Man" will receive a last-minute assist to remain in the country from Senator Chris Van Hollen or a federal judge, to ensure he can once again return to Montgomery County and continue his good work.

While ICE official Baker did not comment on the ridiculously-light sentences Amaya-Benitez received from Montgomery County judges, Baker did slam County officials for repeatedly refusing to honor the agency's detainers on him. "ICE lodged five detainers — four of which were not honored — allowing him to return to the streets and reoffend time and time again," Baker said in a statement Thursday. "This pattern is unacceptable. We strongly encourage our local law enforcement partners to honor our detainers to ensure that dangerous individuals like this are held accountable and removed from our communities to protect the law-abiding residents we serve."

Photo courtesy ICE

Jonathan's Sports Pub changes hands in Rockville

Jonathan's Sports Pub at 820 Baltimore Road in Rockville is under new ownership. The popular restaurant and bar at the Burgundy Park Shopping Center was acquired yesterday by Amy Shin Huang, who also owns Fusion Bar & Grill at the Cloverly Village Center in Silver Spring. While she plans to keep the general "dive bar" aesthetic longtime patrons have come to know and love, upgrades to the menu and decor are planned. High ratings on Yelp and Google for Fusion Bar & Grill - also termed a "dive bar" by customers - suggest she has a recipe for success in this dining and nightlife category.

The establishment will also get a new name, although forty customers have signed a petition asking the new owner to keep the Jonathan's moniker. Other patrons have expressed openness to a name change. Despite its dive bar reputation, venerable strip mall location, and dated decor, it should be noted that the quality of the food at Jonathan's is high. According to Yelp, Montgomery County health inspectors found no violations at the restaurant during their last visit.

Peeping Tom at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda after someone reported a Peeping Tom incident there on Tuesday afternoon, May 13, 2025. The voyeur was reported at the mall at 4:10 PM Tuesday. No further information is available at this time.

The Farragut Flasher strikes in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a flasher in the Twinbrook Forest area on May 8, 2025. The female victim was in the 1600 block of Farragut Avenue at 2:40 PM when an unknown suspect exposed his privates to her. He fled in a black SUV. Police describe the suspect as a Hispanic male in his 30s, with long hair and wearing an orange shirt. He spoke only Spanish, police say. If you can identify this suspect, call police at 240-314-8900.

Maryland credit rating downgraded by Moody's, losing coveted AAA rating

Maryland's cost to borrow money will soar after credit agency Moody's downgraded the state's credit rating from the coveted AAA to Aa1 today. Moody's ratings system charitably denotes Aa1 as being a "high quality" investment, as opposed to AAA's recognition of a "highest-quality" investment. In practice, however, the lower grade means you - the taxpayer - will pay a higher rate of interest when Maryland issues bonds to pay for infrastructure projects, for example.

The rating downgrade was first reported by Maryland Matters, which noted that today's change ends a remarkable streak of the state holding a AAA rating from Moody's since 1973. That success was sustained under Democratic and Republican governors alike. Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) attempted to deflect blame to Donald Trump in a rant on X this afternoon, despite frittering away a $5.5 billion budget surplus left to him by previous governor Larry Hogan (R). 

Maryland has been hamstrung by the fiscally-deadly combination of out-of-control spending, the flight of the rich and retirees to lower-tax states, and a failure to lure any major corporate headquarters to the state this century. Yet, Moore and the Maryland General Assembly have continued to support the controversial Blueprint for Education, a state teacher's union-driven boondoggle every rational budget expert warned could lead to fiscal disaster down the road.

Our state is now closer to that disastrous destination with today's credit downgrade. Maryland was already barely able to close a budget deficit this year. What will it do next year, now that borrowing money will cost significantly more, and its economy remains moribund?

UNIQLO sets opening date at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

UNIQLO has stayed on-schedule with the interior fit-out of its newest store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and as a result, will meet the promised "Spring 2025" opening timeframe. The Japanese casual apparel boutique will open on Friday, May 23, 2025, the chain announced on Instagram yesterday. UNIQLO has two existing locations in Montgomery County, at Pike & Rose in Rockville, and in downtown Silver Spring. The company's origin in Japan was initially inspired by The GAP's business model, but UNIQLO evolved into its own original concept, best known for its partnerships with high-profile brands and designers while keeping prices reasonable.

Fork & Kitchen opening in Rockville

Fork & Kitchen is coming soon to Rockville. The restaurant will be located at 150 Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square, according to a liquor license notice posted there. That fairly large space was most memorably home to Bar Louie. Fork & Kitchen does not appear to have a website or social media presence yet, but it does have a liquor license hearing scheduled for June 5 at 10:30 AM.