The accusation against members of the foreign organization designated as a terrorist group Tren de Aragua under the RICO Act signifies the U.S. government’s decision to launch a full-fledged assault on this group, no longer viewing it as just a gang but rather as a criminal enterprise with goals that some believe may be part of Nicolás Maduro’s regime strategy to attack the United States.
The recent crackdown on 27 individuals associated with the Tren de Aragua includes actions against Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, about whom Venezuela Política has reported. This individual was arrested on January 28, 2025, and charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition while being a fugitive from justice. He was part of a group of criminals that seized an apartment building in Aurora, Colorado.
Zambrano-Pacheco expressed concerns for his safety while in prison, which his attorney communicated to the court, recommending that the Bureau of Prisons take the accused’s worries into account. His case was presented on April 21, 2025, and, along with the other defendants, he was assigned a defense attorney. His case is part of the broader United States case against Zambrano-Pacheco et al., identified under serial number 1:25-cr-76.
Tren de Aragua member Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco is facing justice at the Manhattan court.
In this report, Venezuela Política reveals details of this case that promises to set a precedent in the fight against crime in the United States.
Request to Unseal Accusation
On April 21, 2025, acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew Podolsky, sent a communication to Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil formally requesting the unsealing of a previously sealed indictment in the case United States v. Gonzales-Valdez et al.
Similarly, the prosecutor requested to schedule a reading of charges and an initial pre-trial conference. The government also requested the exclusion of time under the Speedy Trial Act to organize this complex organized crime case involving multiple defendants.
Judge Vyskocil approved the request and ordered that the reading of charges be scheduled for April 30, 2025.
Charges Against the Tren de Aragua Under RICO
The case is being heard in the Southern District Court of New York.
On April 21, 2025, acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew Podolsky, presented a sealed substitutive indictment against a group of alleged members of the foreign organization designated as the terrorist Tren de Aragua (TdA), describing it as a criminal enterprise operating not only in Venezuela but also internationally, including the United States as its operational field.
This organization is accused of committing a wide range of criminal activities, including organized crime, conspiracy to commit extortion, kidnapping, drug and arms trafficking, money laundering, and other violent crimes.
The government references the hierarchical structure of the organization in the accusation, its violent methods to maintain control and expand operations, and its impact on the communities where it operates.
Designation as an Organized Criminal Enterprise (RICO Act)
Based on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), the indictment states that the U.S. government considers the Tren de Aragua as an organized criminal enterprise with a structure and a continuous purpose of committing crimes.
According to Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 1962(c), the defendants participated in an enterprise that operates in interstate or foreign commerce through a pattern of organized criminal activity. Accordingly, the accused are charged with conspiracy to violate RICO.
Transnational Operations and Presence in the United States
The indictment emphasizes that the Tren de Aragua is not merely a Venezuelan criminal organization but has a presence and engages in criminal activities internationally.
In this international operation, the United States is specifically mentioned. This situation raises concerns among U.S. authorities regarding the expansion and threat posed by this organization within their jurisdiction. It is known that the TdA operates throughout New York City, particularly in the Bronx and Queens districts.
Criminal Activities and Structure of the TdA
The indictment against members of the Tren de Aragua under RICO refers to the commission of a series of crimes such as extortion, kidnapping, drug trafficking, arms trafficking, money laundering, among other violent crimes, as suggested by the nature of the organization, to maintain internal discipline, eliminate rivals, and ensure compliance with its demands.
The indictment notes that to preserve and protect the power and territory of the TdA, its members and associates carry out acts of murder, aggression, robbery, and other violent actions directed at former members and associates of the Tren de Aragua who have linked up with a dissident organization known as Anti-Tren.
The activities aim to enrich the members and associates of the TdA through illegal human smuggling, including young women from Venezuela to Peru and the United States; through the sexual trafficking of young women labeled as “fined,” who were illegally brought to Peru and the U.S.
They are also involved in the trafficking of controlled substances, particularly a mixed substance called “tusi” that contains ketamine; and armed robberies.
The Charges
The indictment from the Southern District of New York charges Jarwin Valero-Calderón, alias “La Fama”; Samuel González Castro, alias “Klei” or “Kley”; Eferson Morillo-Gómez, alias “Jefferson” or “Efe Trébol”; Brayan Oliveros-Chero; Sandro Oliveros-Chero; and Armando José Pérez González, alias “Biblia.”
They are accused of conspiring to participate in the criminal enterprise of TdA, with some facing charges related to drug trafficking, vehicle theft, robbery, and other firearm-related offenses.
Conspiracy to Commit Organized Crime (Charge 1)
Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Organized Crime in violation of Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 1962(d), are Jarwin Valero-Calderón, alias “La Fama”; Samuel González Castro, alias “Klei” or “Kley”; Eferson Morillo-Gómez, alias “Jefferson” or “Efe Trébol”; Brayan Oliveros-Chero; Sandro Oliveros-Chero; and Armando José Pérez González, alias “Biblia”. This crime carries a penalty of life imprisonment.
Conspiracy to Traffic Drugs (Charge 2)
Conspiracy to Traffic Drugs in violation of Title 21 of the United States Code, Section 846, charges Jarwin Valero-Calderón, alias “La Fama”; Brayan Oliveros-Chero; Sandro Oliveros-Chero; and Armando José Pérez González, alias “Biblia”. This crime carries a penalty of 20 years in prison.
Conspiracy to Steal a Vehicle (Charge 3)
Conspiracy to Steal a Vehicle in violation of Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 371, charges Jarwin Valero-Calderón, alias “La Fama”; Samuel González Castro, alias “Klei” or “Kley”; and Eferson Morillo-Gómez, alias “Jefferson” or “Efe Trébol”. This crime carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison.
Vehicle Theft (Charge 4)
The crime of Vehicle Theft, in violation of Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 2119, charges Jarwin Valero-Calderón, alias “La Fama”; Samuel González Castro, alias “Klei” or “Kley”; and Eferson Morillo-Gómez, alias “Jefferson” or “Efe Trébol”. This crime carries a penalty of 15 years in prison.
Robbery Under Hobbs Act (Charge 5)
The crime of Robbery under the Hobbs Act, in violation of Title 18 of the United States Code, Sections 1951 and 2, charges Jarwin Valero-Calderón, alias “La Fama”; Samuel González Castro, alias “Klei” or “Kley”; and Eferson Morillo-Gómez, alias “Jefferson” or “Efe Trébol”. This crime carries a penalty of 20 years in prison.
Using, Carrying, and Possessing Firearms (Charge 6)
For Using, Carrying, and Possessing Firearms in violation of Title 18 of the United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and (ii), and 2, Jarwin Valero-Calderón, alias “La Fama”; Samuel González Castro, alias “Klei” or “Kley”; and Eferson Morillo-Gómez, alias “Jefferson” or “Efe Trébol” are charge. This crime carries life imprisonment with a minimum mandatory sentence of 7 years in prison.
Attempted Extortion Under Hobbs Act (Charge 7)
Attempted Extortion under the Hobbs Act charges Jarwin Valero-Calderón, alias “La Fama”; Samuel González Castro, alias “Klei” or “Kley”; and Eferson Morillo-Gómez, alias “Jefferson” or “Efe Trébol”. This crime carries a penalty of 2 years in prison.
Conspiracy to Use, Carry, and Possess Firearms (Charge 8)
Conspiracy to Use, Carry, and Possess Firearms, in violation of Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 924(o), charges Jarwin Valero-Calderón, alias “La Fama”; Samuel González Castro, alias “Klei” or “Kley”; and Eferson Morillo-Gómez, alias “Jefferson” or “Efe Trébol”. For this crime, they could face 20 years in prison.
Conspiracy to Use, Carry, and Possess Firearms (Charges 9 and 10)
For Conspiracy to Use, Carry, and Possess Firearms, Brayan Oliveros-Chero; and Sandro Oliveros-Chero are also charged. This crime carries a penalty of 20 years in prison.
Posasión de municiones por un extranjero indocumentado (Charge 11)
Possession of Ammunition by an Undocumented Foreigner, in violation of Title 18 of the United States Code, Sections 922(g)(5) and 2, charges Brayan Oliveros-Chero. This crime carries a penalty of 15 years in prison.
Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by an Undocumented Foreigner (Charge 12)
Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by an Undocumented Foreigner, in violation of Title 18 of the United States Code, Sections 922(g)(5) and 2, charges Sandro Oliveros-Chero. This crime carries a penalty of 15 years in prison.
Using, Carrying, and Possessing Firearms (Charge 13)
For the crime of Using, Carrying, and Possessing Firearms, in violation of Title 18 of the United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2, Armando José Pérez González, alias “Biblia”, is charged. This crime carries a penalty of 15 years in prison.
Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by an Undocumented Foreigner (Charge 14)
For the crime of Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by an Undocumented Foreigner, which violates Title 18 of the United States Code, Sections 922(g)(5) and 2, Armando José Pérez González, alias “Biblia”, is charged. This crime carries a penalty of 15 years in prison.
The Anti-Tren Indictment Under RICO
against twenty-three individuals – identified by various aliases – for allegedly participating in the criminal organization known as “Anti-Tren”.
The defendants face multiple charges, namely conspiracy to commit organized crime, sex trafficking, human smuggling, drug and weapons trafficking, and obstruction of justice, supported by the detailing of the illicit activities that the said criminal organization supposedly carried out. The allegations aim to proceed with the confiscation of assets and properties related to these alleged crimes. The case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York is identified by serial number S 1 25 Cr. 76 (MKV).
The indictment states that the Anti-Tren organization operated in New York, specifically in the Bronx and Queens districts, New Jersey, and other locations. It indicates that it is an organization composed “almost exclusively” of former members and associates of the transnational Venezuelan criminal organization “Tren de Aragua” (TdA).
The main charges include conspiracy to commit a crime (RICO Act), conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, conspiracy for the importation and harboring of foreigners for immoral purposes, conspiracy to drug trafficking, and firearm-related offenses.
The Anti-Tren and its Purposes
The formal indictment refers to the existence of the “Anti-Tren organization” operating in the cited locations in New York and New Jersey from 2022 to 2025, composed almost exclusively of former members and associates of the transnational Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua (TdA).
The Anti-Tren organization is defined as an “enterprise” under federal law (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1961(4)), a group of individuals associated in fact whose activities affected interstate and foreign commerce, functioning as a continuous unit with a common purpose.
The indictment stipulates that the main purposes of the Anti-Tren organization are:
Preservation and protection of power and territory: through acts of “murder, aggression, other acts of violence, and threats, including violent threats directed at members and associates of Tren de Aragua.
Illicit enrichment: through the illegal smuggling of individuals, including young Venezuelan women to the United States; the sexual trafficking of young women — categorized by Anti-Tren as “fined” — illegally smuggled into the U.S.; the trafficking of controlled substances, especially “tusi,” a substance containing ketamine; as well as armed robberies.
Instilling fear: Maintaining victims and potential victims frightened of Anti-Tren and its members and associates through threats and acts of violence.
Promotion and improvement of reputation: activities to promote and enhance the reputation and activities of members and associates of Anti-Tren.
Assistance to members: providing aid to members and associates committing crimes on behalf of Anti-Tren, which includes lodging and interstate transportation to evade prosecution; or money for bail for those detained.
Protection against the law: providing Anti-Tren and its members and associates protection from detection and processing by law enforcement authorities through acts of intimidation, threats, and violence against potential witnesses of crimes committed by members of Anti-Tren.
Methods and Means of “Anti-Tren”
The indictment describes the methods used by members and associates of Anti-Tren:
Violence: members and associates of Anti-Tren conspired and threatened to commit acts of violence, including murder and aggression, to protect and expand the criminal operations of the organization, resolve disputes within the group, and retaliate against rival organizations, including Tren de Aragua.
Human and sexual trafficking: involvement in human smuggling and the sexual trafficking of young women classified as “fined,” transported from Venezuela and other countries to the U.S. in exchange for debts to be paid through sexual labor. These “fined” women are threatened with death and physically assaulted, kidnapped, have their immigration documents confiscated, and their debts increased. They also fall victim to rapes and sexual assaults.
Theft: members and associates of Anti-Tren committed thefts.
Arms trafficking: members and associates of Anti-Tren possessed, trafficked, and used firearms and ammunition.
Drug trafficking: members and associates of Anti-Tren distributed controlled substances, mainly a mixed substance called “tusi” that contains ketamine.
Charges Against the Anti-Tren
The formal indictment presents multiple charges against the defendants, namely:
Conspiracy to Commit Organized Crime (RICO – Charge 1)
The 21 individuals are charged with participating in a criminal enterprise through a pattern of activity involving extortion, including murder, robbery, forced labor, sexual trafficking, arms trafficking, and drug trafficking.
Reinaldo Rafael Gonzáles-Valdez, alias “Mariguana”, alias “Marijuana”;
José Manuel Guerrero-Zarate, alias “Mantequilla”;
José David Valencia-De La Rosa;
Johan Carlos Mujica-Urpín, alias “Sobrino”;
Luis José Velásquez-Hurtado, alias “Chito”;
Stefano Said Pachón-Romero;
Jesús David Barrios García, alias “Morocho”;
Giovanny Valentín Blanco Luciano, alias “Cachorrito”;
Anderson Jesús Duran Berroteran, alias “Cachorro”;
Roiman Noe Bello Ferrer;
Luis Miguel Rodríguez-Tapia;
Mario Andrés Pereda, alias “Cara de Hombre”;
Anderson Smith Zambrano-Pacheco;
Yeferson Alejandro Prieto Galviz, alias “Flaco T”, alias “Flacote”;
Jhonkennedy Bravo-Castro, alias “Negrito”;
Kellen Alejandro Jaspe Bustamante;
Luis Andrés Bello-Chacón, alias “Care de Peo”.
Conspiracy to Traffic Sex (Charge 2)
15 individuals are charged with conspiring to recruit, harbor, transport, and benefit from sex trafficking through force, threats, fraud, and coercion. Venezuelan young women are specifically referenced as the victims.
This charge is brought against: Reinaldo Rafael Gonzáles-Valdez, alias “Mariguana”, alias “Marijuana”; José Manuel Guerrero-Zarate, alias “Mantequilla”; José David Valencia-De La Rosa; Johan Carlos Mujica-Urpín, alias “Sobrino”; Luis José Velásquez-Hurtado, alias “Chito”; Stefano Said Pachón-Romero; Jesús David Barrios García, alias “Morocho”; Anderson Jesús Duran Berroteran, alias “Cachorro”; Luis Miguel Rodríguez-Tapia; Mario Andrés Pereda, alias “Cara de Hombre”; Anderson Smith Zambrano-Pacheco; Jhonkennedy Bravo-Castro, alias “Negrito”.
Conspiracy for Importation and Harboring of Foreigners for Immoral Purposes (Charge 3)
15 individuals are charged with conspiring to illegally import and harbor foreigners for prostitution or other immoral purposes, in violation of Title 8 of the United States Code, Section 1328. Specific acts are mentioned, such as harboring Venezuelan women in the Bronx for prostitution to the benefit of the defendants.
The defendants for this charge are: Reinaldo Rafael Gonzáles-Valdez, alias “Mariguana”, alias “Marijuana”; José Manuel Guerrero-Zarate, alias “Mantequilla”; José David Valencia-De La Rosa; Johan Carlos Mujica-Urpín, alias “Sobrino”; Luis José Velásquez-Hurtado, alias “Chito”; Stefano Said Pachón-Romero; Guillermo Freites Velázquez; Jesús David Barrios García, alias “Morocho”; Anderson Jesús Duran Berroteran, alias “Cachorro”; Luis Miguel Rodríguez-Tapia; Mario Andrés Pereda, alias “Cara de Hombre”; Anderson Smith Zambrano-Pacheco; Jhonkennedy Bravo-Castro, alias “Negrito”.
Conspiracy to Traffic Drugs (Charge 4)
13 individuals are charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute ketamine.
The defendants are: Reinaldo Rafael Gonzáles-Valdez, alias “Mariguana”, alias “Marijuana”; José Manuel Guerrero-Zarate, alias “Mantequilla”; Johan Carlos Mujica-Urpín, alias “Sobrino”; Guillermo Freites Velázquez; Jesús David Barrios García, alias “Morocho”; Giovanny Valentín Blanco Luciano, alias “Cachorrito”; Anderson Smith Zambrano-Pacheco; Yeferson Alejandro Prieto Galviz, alias “Flaco T”, alias “Flacote”; Yender Maykier Mata; Kellen Alejandro Jaspe Bustamante; Luis Andrés Bello-Chacón, alias “Care de Peo”.
Using, Carrying, and Possessing Firearms (Charge 5)
13 individuals are charged with using, carrying, and possessing firearms in relation to the drug trafficking charge identified in Charge Four.
The defendants are: Reinaldo Rafael Gonzáles-Valdez, alias “Mariguana”, alias “Marijuana”; José Manuel Guerrero-Zarate, alias “Mantequilla”; Johan Carlos Mujica-Urpín, alias “Sobrino”; Guillermo Freites Velázquez; Jesús David Barrios García, alias “Morocho”; Giovanny Valentín Blanco Luciano, alias “Cachorrito”; Anderson Smith Zambrano-Pacheco; Yeferson Alejandro Prieto Galviz, alias “Flaco T”, alias “Flacote”; Yender Maykier Mata; Kellen Alejandro Jaspe Bustamante; Luis Andrés Bello-Chacón, alias “Care de Peo”.
Obstruction of Justice (Charge 6)
Charges Luis José Velásquez-Hurtado (“Chito”) with attempting to obstruct an official proceeding when he tried to bite law enforcement officers during a raid to prevent access to the contents of his cell phone and also by refusing to unlock it.
Illegal Arms Business (Charge 7)
Accuses Stefano Said Pachón-Romero of participating in the business of importing, manufacturing, and trafficking firearms without a license.
Possession of Firearm and Ammunition by a Fugitive and Illegal Foreigner (Charge 8)
Charges Anderson Smith Zambrano-Pacheco with illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a fugitive and illegal foreigner in the United States.
Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by an Illegal Foreigner (Charge 9)
Charges Jhonkennedy Bravo-Castro (“Negrito”) with illegally carrying multiple firearms and ammunition as an illegal foreigner.
Possession of Firearm by an Illegal Foreigner (Charge 10)
Charges Wilfredo Jose Avendano Carrizalez and Carlos Gabriel Santos Mogollón with illegally possessing firearms as illegal foreigners.
Claims for Confiscation
The prosecution includes in the indictment claims for confiscation of assets related to each major charge.
This includes any property acquired or maintained in violation of RICO, properties involved in sex trafficking, vehicles used in the illegal importation of foreigners, profits from drug trafficking, and firearms and ammunition used in crimes.
The prosecution seeks the confiscation of specific assets mentioned in charges related to firearms. The indictment contains a provision for the confiscation of other assets from the defendants up to the value of confiscatable assets if these cannot be located or have been disposed of.