U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an arrest detainer for a Venezuelan national identified as a member of the Tren de Aragua gang, following his arrest on federal charges including racketeering conspiracy tied to weapon offenses, sex trafficking and other crimes.
The announcement came Feb. 23 from the Department of Homeland Security. ICE lodged the detainer with the U.S. Marshals Service for Jesus Ruben Lopez Gonzalez, who was arrested Feb. 17 in Oregon by the U.S. Marshals Service for a weapon offense-racketeering conspiracy.
Lopez Gonzalez, described as a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela, has an extensive criminal history across New York, Washington and Oregon, including charges for theft, assault, criminal possession of a firearm and obstructing law enforcement. He is one of 27 members and associates of Anti-Tren—an offshoot of the Tren de Aragua terrorist organization—named in a 38-count superseding indictment. The charges include racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering connected to an April 15, 2024, double murder in the Bronx, New York, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, and sex trafficking.
Lopez Gonzalez last entered the United States illegally on Sept. 11, 2022, and was arrested by Border Patrol but released into the country under the Biden administration.
“The Biden administration RELEASED this gang member into our communities. His cross-country crime spree ends today,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis.
“He will face justice for his crimes including sex trafficking, illegal possession of a firearm, assault, and obstruction of law enforcement. Then, he will be REMOVED and NEVER able to return to our country.”
On Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order designating cartels and other organizations, including Tren de Aragua, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
“TdA gang members rape, maim, and kill for sport. Under Secretary Noem, ICE has been unleashed to ensure these public safety threats are removed from U.S. communities,” the release stated.
The action reflects ongoing priorities to target transnational criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua, which has been linked to violent crimes including sex trafficking and racketeering across multiple states.
The press release also highlighted broader efforts under the Trump administration – arresting more than 7,000 gang members since Jan. 20, 2025 – that have been downplayed by media sources and activists despite escalating cartel attacks.
