On November 17, 2022, 27-year-old Marvin Hernandez and eight co-defendants, all members of the transnational criminal gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS13 from El Salvador), lured a former gang member to a park in Grand Prairie under false pretenses. The victim, who was attempting to leave the gang, was instead met with violence when Hernandez and three others forcibly pulled him from his vehicle at gunpoint and transferred him to Hernandez's car.
The gang members then drove the victim to Woodland Basin Nature Preserve in Garland, Texas, where additional co-defendants were waiting as lookouts. Upon arrival, Hernandez threatened the victim, stating, "Don't do anything stupid or I will shoot you." Despite the threat, the victim managed to escape by shedding his jacket and fleeing. Hernandez fired five shots, hitting the victim in both shoulders but missing his spine.
A passerby witnessed the victim running and contacted authorities, leading to his hospitalization and the identification of all involved through joint efforts by the Garland and Irving Police Departments.
Marvin Hernandez was found guilty and sentenced to 70 years for Aggravated Kidnapping and 20 years for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The case was prosecuted by Krystal Biggins and Loren Collins, with DA Investigators Jesse Resendez and Juan Carranza, and paralegal Ayleanna Westbrooks assisting.
