A violent Honduran national, previously deported four times, is back in custody after Seattle police arrested him with nearly a kilogram of fentanyl, nearly two kilograms of methamphetamine, and a loaded firearm—just steps from an elementary school. The arrest has renewed concerns over sanctuary policies that shield repeat offenders from federal immigration enforcement.
According to court records, 31-year-old Orbin Dane Hernandez-Velazquez has a criminal record spanning Washington, California, and Utah. He previously served a 15-month federal sentence for illegal entry and has been removed from the U.S. multiple times. Despite that, he returned and continued trafficking drugs across state lines.
After a months-long investigation, Seattle police arrested Hernandez-Velazquez on August 26 outside his apartment in White Center, directly across from Mount View Elementary School. Police seized 868.5 grams of fentanyl—enough to potentially kill hundreds of thousands—alongside 1,990.5 grams of methamphetamine, 20.8 grams of cocaine, more than $32,000 in cash, and multiple firearms.
Prosecutors emphasized the scale of the threat, stating Hernandez-Velazquez has shown he will continue profiting from addiction and violence unless behind bars. His record includes drug trafficking, weapons charges, DUI, and obstruction across three states, with most recent convictions in Washington in 2024 for felony drug charges.
Despite his criminal history and repeated deportations, Washington state’s sanctuary policies prevented coordination with federal immigration officials. Local law enforcement is barred from sharing information or detaining suspects for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), even in cases involving known felons and drug traffickers.
King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion praised police and prosecutors, highlighting the removal of dangerous narcotics from Seattle’s streets. Her office has filed over 200 drug trafficking cases this year alone, many involving fentanyl and meth.
The King County Prosecutor’s Office is seeking $350,000 bail, citing Hernandez-Velazquez’s extensive criminal history, repeated illegal entries, and high flight risk.
The case underscores growing frustration among law enforcement and conservative lawmakers over policies that prevent cooperation with federal immigration agencies. With violent repeat offenders like Hernandez-Velazquez operating freely, critics argue that sanctuary laws endanger public safety and allow cartel-linked trafficking networks to flourish in American cities.
