27 Members Or Associates Of Tren De Aragua Charged With Racketeering, Narcotics, Sex Trafficking, Robbery And Firearms Offenses (DOJ)

Press Release

First RICO Charges Against TdA Members and Associates

Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Pamela Bondi, the Attorney General of the United States; Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS"); Todd M. Lyons, the Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE"); and Jessica S. Tisch, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department ("NYPD"), announced today two Superseding Indictments charging 27 individuals currently or formerly associated with the designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua ("TdA") with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, robbery, and firearms offenses. The first Superseding Indictment (the "TdA Indictment") charges six alleged members of TdA. The second Superseding Indictment (the "Anti-Tren Indictment") charges 19 alleged members of "Anti-Tren," a splinter faction comprised of former TdA members, along with two additional associates of Anti-Tren. Of the 27 defendants, 21 are in federal custody, including 16 who were already in federal criminal, immigration, or state custody and five who were arrested last night and today in operations in New York and other jurisdictions.

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: "Today, we have filed charges against 27 alleged members, former members, and associates of Tren de Aragua, for committing murders and shootings, forcing young women trafficked from Venezuela into commercial sex work, robbing and extorting small businesses, and selling 'tusi,' a pink powdery drug that has become their calling card. Today's Indictments make clear that this Office will work tirelessly to keep the law-abiding residents of New York City safe, and hold accountable those who bring violence to our streets."

Attorney General Pam Bondi said: "As alleged, Tren de Aragua is not just a street gang - it is a highly structured terrorist organization that has destroyed American families with brutal violence, engaged in human trafficking, and spread deadly drugs through our communities. Today's indictments and arrests span three states and will devastate TdA's infrastructure as we work to completely dismantle and purge this organization from our country."

ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons said: "We are at the forefront of efforts to identify, disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal gangs like Tren de Aragua from operating in our cities and around the world. I commend the members of our New York-based Homeland Security Investigations Violent Gang Task Force; without their efforts these indictments wouldn't be possible. Together with our partners, ICE HSI is committed to addressing the threats posed by illicit narcotics, weapons and human smuggling networks, and ensuring these violent criminals are prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law."

NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said: "Tren de Aragua is one of the most dangerous gangs in the country, and the NYPD has taken significant action to shut down their operations in New York City. For the first time ever, TdA is being named and charged as the criminal enterprise that it is. This isn't just street crime-it's organized racketeering, and this gang has shown zero regard for the safety of New Yorkers. As alleged in the indictment, these defendants wreaked havoc in our communities, trafficking women for sexual exploitation, flooding our streets with drugs, and committing violent crimes with illegal guns. Thanks to the dedicated members of the NYPD and the important work of our federal partners, their time is up."

According to the allegations contained in the Indictments:^[1]

The TdA Indictment

TdA is a criminal organization that operated throughout New York City, including the boroughs of the Bronx and Queens, as well as internationally in Venezuela, Peru, and elsewhere. The purposes of TdA included:

• Preserving and protecting the power and territory of TdA and its members and associates through acts involving murder, assault, robbery, other acts of violence, and threats of violence, including acts of violence and threats of violence directed at former members and associates of TdA who associated with a splinter organization known as Anti-Tren.
• Enriching the members and associates of TdA through, among other things:
  • The unlawful smuggling of individuals, including young women from Venezuela, into Peru and the U.S.;
  • The sex trafficking of young women (whom members and associates of TdA often refer to as "multadas") who had been unlawfully smuggled into Peru and the U.S.;
  • The trafficking of controlled substances, including a mixed substance called "tusi" that contains ketamine; and
  • Armed robberies.
• Keeping victims and potential victims in fear of TdA and its members and associates through threats and acts of violence.
• Promoting and enhancing TdA and the reputation and activities of its members and associates.
• Providing assistance to members and associates of TdA who committed crimes for and on behalf of TdA, such as lodging and interstate transportation for members and associates of TdA to flee prosecution.
• Protecting TdA and its members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities through acts of intimidation, threats, and violence against potential witnesses to crimes committed by members of TdA.

Members and associates of TdA transported "multadas" from Venezuela into Peru and the U.S. in exchange for debts that the "multadas" would pay back to TdA by engaging in commercial sex work. Members of TdA enforced compliance among "multadas" by, among other things:

• Threatening to kill "multadas" and their families,
• Assaulting "multadas,"
• Shooting or killing "multadas," and
• Tracking down and kidnapping "multadas" who tried to flee.

Members of TdA also committed and conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit, acts of violence, including acts involving murder and assault, to protect and expand TdA's criminal operations; resolve disputes within TdA; to retaliate against rival organizations, including Anti-Tren; and to maintain control over sex trafficking victims. TdA members and associates also trafficked controlled substances, committed robberies, and obtained, possessed, trafficked, and used firearms and ammunition.

The TdA Indictment charges JARWIN VALERO-CALDERON, a/k/a "La Fama"; SAMUEL GONZALEZ CASTRO, a/k/a "Klei," a/k/a "Kley"; EFERSON MORILLO-GOMEZ, a/k/a "Jefferson," a/k/a "Efe Trebol"; BRAYAN OLIVEROS-CHERO; SANDRO OLIVEROS-CHERO; and ARMANDO JOSE PEREZ GONZALEZ, a/k/a "Biblia" (the "TdA Defendants") with conspiring to participate in the TdA racketeering enterprise. Various of the TdA Defendants are also charged with participating in offenses relating to drug trafficking, carjacking, robbery, and extortion, as well as firearms offenses. This case is assigned U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote.

The Anti-Tren Indictment

Anti-Tren is a criminal organization almost exclusively comprised of former members and associates of TdA. Anti-Tren operated throughout New York City, including the boroughs of the Bronx and Queens, and in New Jersey, and elsewhere. Like TdA, the purposes of Anti-Tren included:

• Preserving and protecting the power and territory of Anti-Tren and its members and associates through acts involving murder, assault, other acts of violence, and threats of violence, including acts of violence and threats of violence directed at members and associates of TdA.
• Enriching the members and associates of Anti-Tren through, among other things:
  • The unlawful smuggling of individuals, including women and girls from Venezuela, into the U.S.;
  • The sex trafficking of "multadas" who had been unlawfully smuggled into the U.S.;
  • The trafficking of controlled substances, including "tusi"; and
  • Armed robberies.
• Keeping victims and potential victims in fear of Anti-Tren and its members and associates through threats and acts of violence.
• Promoting and enhancing Anti-Tren and the reputation and activities of its members and associates.
• Providing assistance to members and associates of Anti-Tren who committed crimes for and on behalf of Anti-Tren, such as lodging and interstate transportation for members and associates of Anti-Tren to flee prosecution, or bail money for members or associates of Anti-Tren who are detained.
• Protecting Anti-Tren and its members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities through acts of intimidation, threats, and violence against potential witnesses to crimes committed by members of Anti-Tren.

Like TdA, Anti-Tren engaged in human smuggling and sex trafficking of "multadas," into the U.S. in exchange for debts that the "multadas" would pay back by engaging in commercial sex work. And like TdA, members of Anti-Tren enforced compliance among "multadas" by, among other things:

• Threatening to kill "multadas" and their families,
• Assaulting "multadas,"
• Shooting or killing "multadas," and
• Tracking down and kidnapping "multadas" who tried to flee.

Members of Anti-Tren also committed and conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit, acts of violence, including acts involving murder and assault, to protect and to expand Anti-Tren's criminal operations, resolve disputes within Anti-Tren, to retaliate against rival organizations, including Tren de Aragua, and to maintain control over sex trafficking victims. Anti-Tren members and associates also trafficked controlled substances, committed robberies, and obtained, possessed, trafficked, and used firearms and ammunition.

The Anti-Tren Indictment charges REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a "Mariguana," a/k/a "Marijuana"; JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a "Mantequilla"; JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA; JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a "Sobrino"; LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a "Chito"; STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO; GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ; JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a "Morocho"; GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO, a/k/a "Cachorrito"; ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN, a/k/a "Cachorro"; ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER; LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA; MARIO ANDRES PEREDA, a/k/a "Cara de Hombre"; ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO; YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a "Flaco T," a/k/a "Flacote"; JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a "Negrito"; YENDER MAYKIER MATA; KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE; and LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON, a/k/a "Care de Peo" (the "Anti-Tren Defendants") with conspiring to participate in an Anti-Tren racketeering enterprise. Various of the Anti-Tren Defendants, along with co-defendants WILFREDO JOSE AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON, are also charged with participating in offenses relating to sex trafficking, conspiracy to import and harbor aliens, drug trafficking, obstruction of justice, and firearms offenses. This case is assigned U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil.

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A chart containing the names, ages, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants is set forth below.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of Homeland Security Investigations ("HSI") and NYPD. He also thanked the Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office in Colorado; the Aurora Police Department in Aurora, Colorado; the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force of the U.S. Marshals Service ("USMS"); the Homeland Security Investigations National Gang Unit and New York Human Intelligence Division; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's New York Enforcement and Removal Operations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF"); and the New York City Crime Analysis Center at the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

This case received significant support from Joint Task Force Vulcan ("JTFV"), which was created in 2019 to eradicate MS-13 and now expanded to target Tren de Aragua, and is comprised of U.S. Attorney's Offices across the country, including the Southern District of New York; the Eastern District of New York; the District of New Jersey; the Northern District of Ohio; the District of Utah; the District of Massachusetts; the Eastern District of Texas; the Southern District of Florida; the Eastern District of Virginia; the Southern District of California; the District of Nevada; the District of Alaska; the Southern District of Texas; and the District of Columbia, as well as the Department of Justice's National Security Division and the Criminal Division. Additionally, the FBI; DEA; HSI; ATF; USMS; and the Federal Bureau of Prisons have been essential law enforcement partners with JTFV.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Justice Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). In February 2025, Tren de Aragua was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

This case is being handled by the Office's Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jun Xiang, Kathryn Wheelock, and Timothy Ly are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Tren de Aragua Indictment

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The Anti-Tren Indictment

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)	REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a "Mariguana," a/k/a "Marijuana," 41; JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a "Mantequilla," 29; JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA, 27; JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a "Sobrino," 27; LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a "Chito," 30; STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO, 21; GUILLERMO ENRIQUE FREITES-VELAZQUEZ, 26; JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a "Morocho," 27; GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO, a/k/a "Cachorrito," 20; ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN, a/k/a "Cachorro," 22; ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER, 37; LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA, 25; MARIO ANDRES PEREDA, a/k/a "Cara de Hombre," 44; ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, 26; YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a "Flaco T," a/k/a "Flacote," 24; JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a "Negrito," 27; YENDER MAYKIER MATA, 36; KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE, 20; and LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON, a/k/a "Care de Peo," 31	Life in prison
2	Sex trafficking conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1594(c)	REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a "Mariguana," a/k/a "Marijuana," JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a "Mantequilla," JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA, JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a "Sobrino," LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a "Chito," STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO, GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a "Morocho," ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN, a/k/a "Cachorro," LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA, MARIO ANDRES PEREDA, a/k/a "Cara de Hombre," ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, and JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a "Negrito"	Life in prison
3	Alien importation and harboring for immoral purpose - conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 371	REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a "Mariguana," a/k/a "Marijuana," JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a "Mantequilla," JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA, JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a "Sobrino," LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a "Chito," STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO, GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a "Morocho," ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN, a/k/a "Cachorro," LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA, MARIO ANDRES PEREDA, a/k/a "Cara de Hombre," ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, and JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a "Negrito"	5 years in prison
4	Drug trafficking conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846	REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a "Mariguana," a/k/a "Marijuana," JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a "Mantequilla," JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a "Sobrino," GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a "Morocho," GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO, a/k/a "Cachorrito," ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a "Flaco T," a/k/a "Flacote," YENDER MAYKIER MATA, KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE, and LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON, a/k/a "Care de Peo"	20 years in prison
5	Firearm use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2	REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a "Mariguana," a/k/a "Marijuana," JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a "Mantequilla," JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a "Sobrino," GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a "Morocho," GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO, a/k/a "Cachorrito," ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a "Flaco T," a/k/a "Flacote," YENDER MAYKIER MATA, KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE, and LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON, a/k/a "Care de Peo"	Life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison
6	Obstruction of justice 18 U.S.C. §§ 1512(c) and 2	LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a "Chito,"	20 years in prison
7	Unlicensed dealing of firearms 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(1)(A) and 2	STEFANO PACHON-ROMERO	5 years in prison
8	Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a fugitive from justice and illegal alien 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(2) and (5), and 2	ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO	15 years in prison
9	Possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2	JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a "Negrito,"	15 years in prison
10	Possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2	WILFREDO JOSE AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ, 26; and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON, 31	15 years in prison

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Updated April 22, 2025