Eight alleged members of the Tren de Aragua, a violent gang originating from Venezuela, have been charged with federal crimes related to a kidnapping and murder case that unfolded after they illegally crossed the U.S. border, the Justice Department announced this week.
The charges include conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, and murder in aid of racketeering, according to court documents. Prosecutors allege that these individuals are part of the Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization that has expanded its operations internationally.
The case involves the death of a father and the subsequent kidnapping of his children. The Justice Department stated that the alleged crimes were committed by members of the gang who had entered the United States without authorization during the current administration. The specific details of the timeline and the precise nature of the Biden administration's connection to the alleged crimes were not elaborated upon by the DOJ in the initial reporting.