Crash investigation in Lee County leads to arrest of MS-13 member wanted for serious crimes

LEE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A car crash investigation took an unexpected turn Wednesday in Lee County.

Deputies and highway patrol officers encountered a man who gave five different names -- none of which matched his provided birth date. Since they were unable to verify his identity, authorities detained him under the alias "Juan Doe" and charged him with resisting, delaying, and obstructing and identity theft.

Fingerprinting later revealed his true identity: Jonathon Josue Ayala Melendez, 30, of El Salvador.

Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App

The Lee County Sheriff's Office reached out to U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and FBI agents soon joined the case. It was discovered that Ayala Melendez is wanted in El Salvador for kidnapping, drug trafficking and homicide and is a known member of the transnational criminal gang MS-13.

Ayala Melendez is now in custody without bond, facing an immigration detainer from Homeland Security.

"I want to first applaud the first responding officers for their hard work and for recognizing that something just wasn't right," Lee County Sheriff Brian Estes said. "Their willingness to look further and go the extra mile took a very dangerous person off the streets. He is now where he belongs."