Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, 23, crossed the US southern border illegally in February 2023, according to Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler. Six months later, in August 2023, Hernandez is suspected of attacking, raping, and killing Rachel Morin while she exercised on the MA & PA Heritage Trail in Bel Air, Maryland, about 30 miles northeast of Baltimore.

"We are 1,800 miles away from the southern border and the American citizens are not safe because of failed immigration policies," Gahler said during a press conference Saturday, directing this remark specifically to "1600 Pennsylvania Ave and to every member of both chambers of Congress." 

"This is the second time, in just two years, that an innocent Harford County woman has lost her life to a criminal in our country illegally," the sheriff said.

On Aug. 5 last year, Morin's boyfriend reported her missing after she did not return home from a walk. Her body was found off the trail in a culvert on Aug. 6.

An investigation was launched, which gained national attention, and involved local, state, and federal authorities. A breakthrough came in the case about three weeks ago, on what would have been Morin's 38th birthday, when DNA evidence led to the identification of Hernandez in the case.

In March of last year, Hernandez is also suspected of attacking a "9-year-old girl and her mother during a home invasion ... in Los Angeles," Gahler said during the press conference. The El Salvadorian has ties to "known gangs," according to the sheriff, and is also wanted in his home county for a woman's murder.

"Victor Hernandez did not come here to make a better life for himself, or for his family, he came here to escape a crime he committed in El Salvador. He came here and murdered Rachel, and God willing, no one else."

Authorities arrested Hernandez in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Friday night.

"Rachel's murderer is no longer a free man and, hopefully, he will never have the opportunity to walk free again," Gahler said, later noting that the extradition process from Tulsa to Harford County is underway but could take several weeks.

Morin's five children are "without their mother because Joe Biden refuses to secure the border and keep this murderer the Hell out of our country," Sen. Rick Scott, R-FL, said in a post on X Saturday.

"The Biden Administration owes justice to Rachel Morin's family and to so many families across our country for allowing violent migrant crime to run rampant in our communities," Rep. Andy Harris, R-MD, said on X Saturday night.

Patricia Morin, Morin's mother, delivered brief remarks during the press conference, thanking the authorities who tracked down and arrested the suspect in her daughter's murder.

"I am so grateful that they have brought us to this place," Patricia Morin said, "because at some of the points during this, I didn't think that we were ever going to have an end," she said, before turning and applauding the officers.

Gahler said Hernandez will not be deported before answering for his suspected crimes in the US, adding, "he's going to spend, God willing, the rest of his days behind bars." Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Virginia Allen is a senior news producer for The Daily Signal and host of "The Daily Signal Podcast" and "Problematic Women." Send an email to Virginia.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'Only God': Couple Finds Jesus after Previously Getting Married as Gay, Transgender [Watch]

CNN Debate Hosts Compare President Trump to Hitler

Biased CNN Hits Trump Campaign with Gag Order ahead of Network's Presidential Debate

Israeli Hostage Families Sue UNRWA for Funding Hamas as IDF Troops Redeploy to North

Julian Assange Freed after Reaching Plea Deal with Justice Department (VIDEO)

'Shocking Upset' in Canada: Conservatives Take Liberal Stronghold Toronto–St. Paul's in Byelection

California Parents: Make Your Voice Heard at Parent Secrecy Bill Hearing on Wednesday

Supreme Court Takes up Hot Topic of Gender-Altering Procedures on Children

Cussing Homeless Man Stops Pastor Mid-Sermon. Then Something Beautiful and Powerful Happens [Watch]

In Deep Sea Waters off Israel, a 'Sensational Find': Vessels from 3,300 Year-Old Canaanite Shipwreck

Trump Leaves $500 Tip at Philly Cheesesteak Shop, Rallies Support for Getting Rid of Taxes on Tips [Video]

Daily Signal Exclusive: DOJ's Kristen Clarke Hit With Criminal Referral, Ethics Complaints for 'Perjury,' 'False Statements'

Violent Pro-Hamas Mob Descends on L.A. Synagogue; Mayor Orders Police to Stand Down

Pedophile Sting Allegedly Catches Maryland Dem Party LGBTQ+ Diversity Chair

Louisiana Governor Signs Bill Authorizing Surgical Castration for Child Sex Offenders

New Quebec Curriculum Will Mandate that Second Graders Learn About Gender Identity and LGBT Content

Rare Summer 'Strawberry Moon' Shines Bright Tonight

Heartwarming: $1.3B Jackpot Winner 'Prayed to God' amid Cancer Battle

The 'Lioness of London's Battle against Militant Islam: 'What an Enormously Courageous Woman'

Explosive Undercover Footage Reveals Biden's State Department Official Admitting 'Great Replacement Theory' is REAL; Admits Deliberately Importing Criminals