At a previous public hearing, the sanctuary ordinance drew emotional testimony on both sides. Since that evening, several high-profile Rockville and Montgomery County crime stories involving illegal immigrants have made national headlines. The alleged gang rape of a 14-year-old student at Rockville High School by two illegal immigrants scuttled a sanctuary state proposal in Annapolis, and threatened to table further discussion of Rockville's proposed law.
Under extreme political pressure, and with no detailed factual explanation, Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy suddenly declared he would not pursue the rape case any further. McCarthy stated there was not enough evidence to warrant prosecution, despite police officials' earlier statements that they had slam-dunk physical evidence from the scene of the alleged rape in a school bathroom. He did not explain what happened to that physical evidence, characterize the findings of any medical examination, or state whether the victim agreed with his decision, or was still seeking justice. With no media outlet holding McCarthy accountable, the firestorm ended in an instant, clearing the way for revival of the Rockville ordinance.
That didn't stop another illegal immigrant from breaking into a City of Rockville police cruiser, and stealing an assault weapon and several rounds of ammunition. We've never learned what Mario Alvarado intended to do with that assault weapon, or if he had a gang affiliation. We do know that this AR-15-wielding car thief was then improperly released back into the community by Montgomery County, despite U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement having put a detainer on him.
McCarthy's magic wand couldn't help County officials this time. ICE blasted Montgomery County for putting its agents, and county residents, at risk by forcing them to then find and apprehend Alvarado in an uncontrolled public setting. The County ultimately admitted they were in the wrong in releasing Alvarado, humiliating Montgomery County on the national stage once again.
Finally, we learned just how bad the gang situation is today in Montgomery County. A funeral was held for a 15-year-old girl who was executed by MS-13 gang members she became involved with at Watkins Mill High School. Sitting in the pews, and attending the burial service that followed, were armed undercover police officers, in case the gang attacked the funeral. Is that something you thought you would ever hear in Montgomery County, or in El Salvador?
Speaking of El Salvador, it gets worse. MS-13, with their charming motto of "Kill. Rape. Control," has a new rival gang. In response, the Washington Post reported, MS-13 kingpins are ordering their members to travel specifically to Montgomery County en masse. MS-13 leaders say that Montgomery County is the place they hope to establish a strong base of operations, and cited the large number of juvenile and/or unemployed illegal immigrants - living off of free County services - as ripe for recruiting by these soon-to-arrive MS-13 agents.
Guess who will be in the crossfire between these two gangs when they start to fight for territory in Montgomery County? The citizens of Montgomery County. Nice. Can you imagine what that's going to be like?
Despite all of this, the Montgomery County Council continues to insist there is no gang problem in the County. You know, the County where funerals now have to have armed guards, in case gang members attack the funeral!
There will be no public hearing Monday night, but residents can express their opinions on the proposed sanctuary legislation during the Community Forum segment of the meeting. Priority will be given to speakers who have signed up in advance by calling the city Clerk's Office at 240-314-8280 by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.