NEW YORK, NY – In a groundbreaking move, federal prosecutors in New York City have indicted over two dozen alleged members of a notorious Venezuelan gang on charges ranging from murder to sex trafficking. This marks the first instance of the racketeering law being employed against this group, amidst an intensified crackdown on immigrant-linked gangs by the Trump administration.
The investigation traces back to a violent incident in January of last year, when two police officers were assaulted by a mob of Venezuelan migrants in Times Square. Several months later, a separate shooting involving Venezuelan migrants occurred in East Elmhurst, Queens. While the officers survived and arrests were made in both cases, the investigations continued, ultimately leading to this major indictment.
Authorities seized 33 firearms and charged 27 individuals believed to be part of two infamous Venezuelan street gangs. These gangs are accused of orchestrating a series of violent crimes, including shootings, home invasions, carjackings, and sex trafficking operations. Investigators allege that the gangs targeted vulnerable Venezuelan women, coercing them into sex work by threatening harm to their families.
The criminal network reportedly utilized scooters and e-bikes to commit assaults and robberies, victimizing both New Yorkers and tourists in a surge of street crime last year. The arrests are reminiscent of a similar operation in the Bronx earlier this year, where immigration agents collaborated with local police to apprehend gang members.
The suspects, affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang and its splinter group Anti-Trend, are facing federal charges under the RICO statute, a legal tool typically reserved for dismantling organized crime syndicates. Of the 27 individuals indicted, 24 are currently in custody while three remain at large.
Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s border czar, emphasized the importance of collaboration between local law enforcement and federal agencies to address significant public safety and national security threats. “I never asked the NYPD to be immigration officers,” Homan stated. “I asked them to work with us on significant public safety threats and national security threats, and that’s what we’re committed to doing.”
This case underscores the federal government’s commitment to tackling gang-related violence and crime, particularly those tied to international networks. As authorities continue to seek the remaining suspects, the indicted individuals are expected to remain in custody pending trial.