Ten alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang have been charged with racketeering conspiracy and multiple violent crimes, including a double homicide in the Bronx in May 2024. The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed a superseding indictment detailing charges against individuals identified as members of the designated foreign terrorist organization.
The defendants include Keiber Jaen Martinez (“Keybe”), Samuel Gonzalez Castro (“Klei”/“Kley”), Eferson Morillo-Gomez (“Jefferson”/“Efe Trebol”), Keiver Silva-Jimenez (“Josue Reuben Silva”/“Chuky”), Keineyer Ibarra-Mujica (“Keiner”), and Marlon Farias (“Bili”). They are accused of participating in the murders of Claretha LaQuesha Daniels and Justin Lawless on May 24, 2024, near 2290 Davidson Avenue in the Bronx. A third victim was also shot and injured during this incident. Gonzalez Castro faces additional charges for allegedly shooting a rival gang member on August 3, 2024, near Roosevelt Avenue and 90th Street in Queens, where an innocent bystander was also wounded.
Six out of ten defendants were previously charged with related offenses in April. Eight are currently in custody; Silva-Jimenez remains at large, while Farias had previously been removed from the United States by immigration authorities. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote for the Southern District of New York.
“The Department of Justice is completely committed to destroying Tren De Aragua and bringing its members to justice for their horrific crimes against the American people,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Today’s indictment reflects our ongoing efforts to dismantle this terrorist organization by any legal means necessary.”
“Tren de Aragua is one of the most violent and ruthless terrorist gangs on planet earth,” said U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem. “They murder those who stand against them. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are utilizing a whole-of-government approach to arrest and deport these foreign terrorists. Today’s murder and racketeering indictment is a victory for the rule of law and the American people. Thanks to our collaboration with federal and local partners, Americans can rest easy at night knowing these dangerous terrorists are off our streets. Let me be clear: If you are in this country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and you will never return. That’s a promise.”
“As alleged, these members of Tren de Aragua were illegally present in the United States and committed a series of devastating and horrific crimes, including robberies, sex trafficking, drug trafficking, and the murders of Claretha LaQuesha Daniels and Justin Lawless outside of an apartment building in the Bronx,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York. “We are committed to putting cartels, gangs, and others who poison our children and pursue violence as a way of life out of business. We and our law enforcement partners know that is what New Yorkers want, and it is what they deserve.”
“As demonstrated with today’s allegations, the Tren de Aragua street gang has unleashed a reign of terror in New York, marked by brutal and unforgiving violence that defies humanity,” said Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Field Office. “With ruthless tactics and a disregard for human life, this foreign terrorist organization has become a symbol of unchecked brutality. HSI New York, together with our law enforcement partners, is waging an unyielding offensive against TdA and Anti-Tren, dismantling gang operations piece by piece and pursuing their members with relentless determination. HSI will not rest until this ruthless criminal enterprise is obliterated and the streets are reclaimed from their grip of savagery.”
“Tren de Aragua has been terrorizing New York City streets, causing widespread violence and claiming lives,” said New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Over the past few months, the NYPD has taken significant action to root out this criminal enterprise and shut down their operations across the city, and today’s indictment reflects our relentless efforts. I want to thank all our law enforcement partners for their continued commitment to making New York City safer.”
According to court documents described in the indictment:
Tren de Aragua operated throughout several boroughs within New York City—including Bronx and Queens—as well as internationally across Venezuela (where it originated), Peru (where it expanded operations), Colombia (a transit point for smuggling), among other countries.
The group maintained its power through acts such as murder or assault targeting rivals or defectors aligned with splinter organizations like Anti-Tren; enriched itself via activities including human smuggling—often transporting young women from Venezuela into Colombia or Peru before bringing them into sex trafficking circuits within Peru or into cities like New York; engaged heavily in drug distribution—including substances like “tusi,” which contains ketamine—and armed robbery; used threats or actual violence both internally (to control associates) or externally (against witnesses).
Young women referred to as “multadas” were forced into commercial sex work under threat—including threats against family members—or subjected to physical abuse if they attempted escape.
The indictment alleges that on May 24 last year six named defendants conspired then carried out shootings resulting in two deaths plus injuries near Davidson Avenue; that on August 4 Gonzalez Castro shot at rivals associated with Anti-Tren—also injuring an unrelated bystander; that on September 30 three defendants conducted an armed carjacking targeting an auto dealership employee.
Charges include racketeering conspiracy carrying potential sentences up to life imprisonment; drug trafficking conspiracies subjecting some defendants up to twenty years; multiple counts related directly to firearm use during violent acts—some mandating minimum sentences ranging from five years up through life imprisonment or even death penalty eligibility depending on count specifics.
This investigation involved several agencies working jointly—including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), NYPD officers specialized units such as Crime Analysis Center at High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program—and received assistance from local offices such as Aurora Police Department (Colorado) due partly to national coordination via Joint Task Force Vulcan formed originally against MS-13 but now expanded nationwide focus onto transnational groups like Tren de Aragua.
The prosecution team includes attorneys from both JTFV nationally coordinated effort as well as Violent & Organized Crime Unit based at Southern District federal office led locally by Assistant U.S Attorneys Jun Xiang Kathryn Wheelock Timothy Ly Andrew K Chan.
All charges remain accusations unless proven beyond reasonable doubt during future court proceedings.
