Honduran National Sentenced to Over a Decade in Prison for Attempted Murder-for-Hire and Drug Trafficking

A Honduran national, identified as Frelin Hernandez Guardado, 30, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis for a series of offenses, including attempted murder for hire, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and illegal firearm possession. Authorities reported that Hernandez Guardado had previously been removed from the United States on two occasions. This prosecution is part of an initiative by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF).

The case was announced by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland, along with key officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI Baltimore Field Office, and the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD). According to court documents, Hernandez Guardado engaged in the sale of firearms to confidential sources on two separate occasions in October 2021. Federal law prohibits individuals who are not legally present in the United States from possessing firearms.

Following the arrests of a local drug trafficking network in December 2021, Hernandez Guardado allegedly communicated his intent to harm an individual he believed had informed law enforcement, thereby leading to the arrests. He is also accused of offering to provide discounted cocaine to one of the confidential sources in exchange for assistance in carrying out the murder plot. On January 12, 2022, Hernandez Guardado departed from his residence in Virginia with over 900 grams of cocaine. He intended to sell this cocaine at a reduced price to another confidential source to secure their participation in the murder. However, before this plan could be fully realized, law enforcement intercepted and arrested Hernandez Guardado in Maryland.

The prosecution of Hernandez Guardado is situated within the broader context of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), established under Executive Order 14159, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” The HSTF operates as a collaborative, government-wide effort aimed at dismantling criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking operations within the United States and internationally. Through significant interagency cooperation, the HSTF leverages the full capabilities of U.S. law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate, and prosecute the comprehensive range of crimes perpetrated by these organizations. These groups have historically contributed to violence and instability within the nation’s borders. A particular focus of the HSTF’s work involves the investigation and prosecution of individuals involved in child trafficking or other offenses affecting children. The task force is also committed to utilizing all available legal mechanisms to prosecute and deport the most dangerous undocumented immigrants residing in the United States. The Baltimore component of the HSTF includes agents and officers from various federal agencies such as the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the DEA, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA, the Maryland State Police (MSP), the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), and the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD). The prosecution in this specific case was led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. U.S. Attorney Hayes acknowledged the investigative efforts of the FBI, ATF, and DEA. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Jaskiw and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth S. Clark are credited with prosecuting the case.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland

Video Spotlight