The tragic death of 13-year-old Oscar “Omar” Hernandez, a young soccer player from California, has sparked outrage and renewed debate about immigration policies. Authorities allege that Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino, the boy’s coach, is responsible for his murder, an event described by U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli as “an avoidable crime and the result of failed border policies.”
Garcia-Aquino, 43, faces charges in connection with Hernandez’s death, which occurred on March 28th in Lancaster, California. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that Garcia-Aquino is an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador.
According to sources, Garcia-Aquino entered the United States without being detected – a “gotaway” entry – and had no prior interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE has now issued a detainer for him at the Los Angeles County jail.
“This was an avoidable crime and the result of failed border policies,” stated Essayli, emphasizing the need for vigilance regarding individuals who violate immigration laws and potentially endanger children.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin echoed this sentiment:
“Thirteen-year-old Oscar ‘Omar’ Hernandez was an innocent child who was exploited and killed by this depraved illegal alien who should have never been in this country.”
The Timeline of Events:
* Hernandez visited Garcia-Aquino on the day of his disappearance.
* Two days later, he was reported missing.
* On April 2, 2025, Hernandez’s body was discovered near Leo Carillo State Beach in Oxnard.
Garcia-Aquino is charged with one count of murder, which carries the possibility of the death penalty due to a special circumstance allegation related to lewd acts involving a child. He also faces a possible sentence of life imprisonment without parole.
Further Allegations:
The investigation into Garcia-Aquino revealed previous accusations of sexual assault:
* In February 2024, he was charged with one count of felony assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense stemming from an alleged incident involving a 16-year-old boy in Palmdale.
* In December 2022, another allegation surfaced regarding the sexual assault of a 14-year-old boy.
District Attorney Hochman explained that the initial allegations from 2022 were investigated thoroughly, but further evidence was needed before charges could be filed. He stated:
“We do what we do in all cases… we want to make sure we get it right so we send it back for further investigation… This one did not.”
Hochman emphasized the priority his administration places on addressing sexual violence and ensuring cooperation from the outset of such investigations.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed that Garcia-Aquino served as a youth travel soccer coach with the Hurricane Valley Boys Soccer Club, working with various age divisions. He stated that Garcia-Aquino had no prior criminal record before these recent allegations and the tragic death of Oscar Hernandez.
