Miseal Pena

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

A man once sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder in Maryland is now back behind bars — this time in federal immigration custody.

ICE Baltimore announced this week that agents arrested Miseal Pena, an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, after learning he had been released despite receiving a life sentence for a violent crime.

According to ICE, Pena was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery with a deadly weapon, crimes that stemmed from a 2007 case prosecuted in Prince George’s County.

Court records show Pena was charged in connection with a violent incident that included allegations of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, armed robbery, first-degree assault, and handgun offenses. 

Probable cause was found for the charges, and Pena was held without bond during the early stages of the case.

ICE said Pena ultimately received a life sentence in Maryland, but was released after serving approximately 20 years.

Following his release, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers took Pena into custody, where he remains as immigration proceedings move forward.

“ICE Baltimore arrested Miseal Pena, an illegal alien from El Salvador convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery with a deadly weapon,” the agency said in a statement. “Pena received a life sentence in Maryland, but was released after serving 20 years. Pena will remain in ICE custody.”

Officials said the arrest highlights renewed scrutiny around how individuals serving life sentences for violent crimes are later released — and what happens next once federal authorities step in.