The man expected be formally accused in the 2001 murder of 24-year-old intern Chandra Levy is an illegal immigrant, according to a 2002 news release from the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Sources say Ingmar Guandique, 27, is expected to be charged in Levy’s murder this week.
Guandique is currently serving time in a California prison for attacking two women in Rock Creek Park around the time Levy disappeared. When Guandique’s name first emerged as a possible suspect in Levy’s murder in May 2002, the INS released a statement saying Guandique was in the country illegally.
Because Guandique is from El Salvador, he had the opportunity to apply for a special temporary visa granted to immigrants who would be endangered if they returned home, the INS statement said. Guandique started the process but didn’t submit fingerprints, and the visa was never granted.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has replaced INS, did not have an immediate comment Sunday.
