MS-13 member in K-9 murder case accused of stabbing 2 more VA officers

Photo byVADOC / Watchful Eye

A prisoner who is a “confirmed affiliate” of MS-13 is accused of another stabbing, this time at Greensville Correctional Center, Virginia Department of Corrections announced.

Inmate Axel Wilfredo Ortiz Garcia, a 26-year-old Guatemalan national, is accused of stabbing two correctional officers on Tuesday at around 2:30 p.m., VADOC disclosed.

VADOC has not yet revealed details about the events that led up to the incident because an investigation is still underway but confirmed both officers have been discharged from the hospital.

VADOC also explained that Ortiz Garcia, who has maximum security status, was being temporarily detained at Greensville due to a court order from Sussex Circuit Court related to his prosecution for an incident at Sussex 1 State Prison. He is accused in the April 2024 attack on another correctional officer and the fatal stabbing of K-9 Rivan, VADOC confirmed.

Officer Kharmishia Phillip Fields was reportedly attacked in April and her partner, K-9 Rivan, was killed.Photo byVADOC

In June, Attorney General Jason Miyares announced the Sussex Grand Jury returned charges against four “MS-13 gang members” for the April attack, including Ortiz Garcia. He was charged with malicious wounding by mob, conspiracy to commit malicious wounding by mob, gang participation, prisoner in possession of a deadly weapon, and stabbing in the commission of a felony.

Ortiz Garcia in prison for aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in commission of a felony charges from Richmond. He was sentenced to 40 years with 27 suspended for the first charge, and 3 years for the second, giving him a total sentence of 16 years.

VADOC said Ortiz Garcia was in the country illegal when he was arrested on the Richmond charges, and it plans to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to fulfill a detainer for his deportation once he’s finished serving time.

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