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By
Patrick Hillmeyer [former]
- April 18, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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stabbing
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A stabbing defendant was resentenced before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on April 15 after illegally re-entering the United States following deportation to Guatemala.
Edra Marruquern was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a stabbing on the 2500 block of Ralph Ellison Way on Dec. 21, 2019.
The incident occurred after Marruquern found texts to another man on his partner’s phone, prompting him to stab his partner multiple times in the back, abdomen, and arm. The victim’s colon was also perforated and required surgery.
After a plea deal, Marruquern was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of probation by DC Superior Court Judge John Campbell on Jan. 25, 2021.
According to the prosecution, Marruquern was deported to Guatemala after his release from prison in 2023, and he lost contact with DC probation officials. Marruquern then illegally re-entered the United States, where he was detained by US Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE) in Arizona.
The prosecution argued since Marruquern re-entered the country illegally after committing a violent offense, he poses a safety threat. They requested he be sentenced to three years of additional incarceration.
Marruquern’s attorney, Henry Escoto, stated that his client only re-entered the country because he “feared for his life.” According to Escoto, Marruquern was staying at his aunt’s house in Guatemala when he began receiving death threats from those involved in shooting of his cousin.
He stated that Marruquern “thought he was gonna be killed like his cousin was” so he “decided to risk it all” by returning to America. Had things been different, Marruquern would have stayed.
Escoto also argued that Marruquern had already served two years of incarceration and was detained before his deportation and for six months when he came back to the States. He said, “There is nothing to be gained from incarcerating him more.”
Escoto asked the court to impose a supervised release with respect to his time served, and deportation to Marruquern’s country of choice.
Judge Arthur stated he respects and understands the circumstances around the case. However, that doesn’t obviate the fact the Marruquern came back to the United States illegally.
Judge Arthur sentenced Marruquern to 48 months with credit for time served to be determined by the DC Jail board as well as three years on supervised release. Following completion of his sentence, Marruquern’s could face another deportation, a fine or imprisonment.