Indictment Unveiled
A federal grand jury in New Mexico has issued indictments against eleven individuals linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, accusing them of kidnapping, strangulation, and burial of a victim in a desert location.
The indictment was presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, with support from the Department of Justice’s Joint Task Force Vulcan.
Among those charged are Henderson Yofre Mavo Finol, 39, and Adan Jose Ramirez Sanchez, 38, who prosecutors allege ordered the abduction.
The indictment also names Hagy Jose Barrios Rojano, 31, as the person who carried out the kidnapping by luring the victim into an Albuquerque apartment.
The Kidnapping and Murder
The victim, referred to only as John Doe 1, was lured to the apartment on or about June 16, 2024, where he was surrounded by five Venezuelan nationals who were members of the TDA and illegally present in the United States.
These men tied John Doe 1, pistol-whipped him in the head and face, and then called Mavo and Ramirez, putting the phone on conference mode to confer with other Tren de Aragua associates in the U.S. and abroad.
During the conference call, prosecutors allege the gang members violently interrogated John Doe 1 about his loyalty to the TDA and suspected dealings with rival gangs.
Following the interrogation, the men allegedly beat and strangled the victim, then photographed the body and sent the images to Mavo Finol and other TDA leaders to confirm the murder was carried out as directed.
Additional members brought a piece of luggage to the apartment to transport the body to a remote desert area, where they buried the victim.
Prosecutors also link Ramirez to an August 18, 2024 armed confrontation at an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado, where two rival gangs exchanged gunfire and one man was killed.
Charges and Potential Sentences
The indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy to conduct racketeering activity, drug trafficking conspiracy, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, and murder in aid of racketeering, among other offenses.
If convicted, the defendants face the possibility of life in prison.
Joint Task Force Vulcan’s Role
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case alongside the Joint Task Force Vulcan, a DOJ program established in 2019 to prosecute members of the Salvadoran gang MS-13.
Joint Task Force Vulcan has since broadened its mandate to target the activities of Tren de Aragua, whose criminal conduct has been documented in Colorado, New Mexico, El Paso, Texas, and other U.S. locations.
The task force’s involvement in this indictment demonstrates its continued focus on dismantling organized gangs that operate across state lines.
By coordinating with local prosecutors, the task force aims to bring high-level gang leaders to justice and disrupt their operations.
Broader Impact and Context
The indictment highlights the reach of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan-based gang that has expanded into multiple U.S. jurisdictions.
The case underscores the challenges faced by border communities, where gang activity can cross international lines and involve illegal immigration.
Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate other related incidents, including the August 18 confrontation in Colorado, to build a broader picture of gang violence.
The proceedings in this case will serve as a precedent for future prosecutions of organized gang members engaged in racketeering, kidnapping, and murder.
Key Takeaways
- Eleven Tren de Aragua gang members indicted for kidnapping, strangulation, and desert burial of a victim.
- Charges include racketeering, drug trafficking conspiracy, kidnapping and murder in aid of racketeering, with potential life sentences.
- Joint Task Force Vulcan, originally targeting MS-13, is now also pursuing Tren de Aragua across multiple U.S. states.
The indictment marks a significant step in the ongoing effort to curb gang violence and hold those who orchestrate violent crimes accountable.
