Federal / Maryland
Federal immigration enforcement U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
ICE / Aberdeen Police Department
- Case on record
- 1
- Ended in a killing
- 1
- Prior arrests across these defendants
- 1
Background
When Aberdeen, MD police identified Walter Javier Martinez as an undocumented MS-13 gang member during a 2022 investigation, they requested an ICE hold. ICE declined because Martinez claimed juvenile status. Aberdeen Police released him to Maryland Child Protective Services, which placed him in a public high school. Within months he raped and strangled 20-year-old Kayla Hamilton, who had autism.
Cases on record
103
days after release
Murder in Aberdeen, Maryland
Kayla Hamilton, 20
Released April 15, 2022. Terms: ICE declined juvenile detainer; released to MD CPS.
Martinez forced his way into Hamilton's apartment, raped and strangled her. Her final moments were inadvertently recorded on her boyfriend's voicemail when she tried to call him as Martinez arrived. Pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in 2024. Sentenced by Judge Yolanda Curtin to life with all but 70 years suspended.