A Venezuelan national in the U.S. illegally and suspected member of the violent gang Tren de Aragua has been charged with attempted murder of a federal officer after a brutal attack during an arrest operation in Bellevue, Nebraska.
According to the Department of Justice, 30-year-old Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco assaulted an ICE agent and an FBI agent on June 18 after being stopped on an immigration warrant. Initially appearing to comply, Hurtado-Cariaco suddenly resisted, slamming the ICE agent into the pavement and placing him in a chokehold. As another agent intervened, the suspect broke free and fled, only to be arrested an hour later.
The ICE agent was hospitalized with serious head and arm injuries. He has since been released and is recovering. Authorities say the attack underscores a growing threat from violent transnational criminal gangs, such as Tren de Aragua, which has now embedded members across the U.S. amid record-high illegal crossings.
Hurtado-Cariaco entered the country illegally in 2023, was deported, then illegally re-entered in 2024, where he was released into the U.S. under previous policies with a court date. Authorities believe he is affiliated with Tren de Aragua—a Venezuelan gang designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department in February. The gang is involved in drug trafficking, extortion, sexual exploitation, and migrant abuse.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned the attack and confirmed that Hurtado-Cariaco is charged with attempted murder of a federal officer and assault causing bodily injury. “Deadly violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated by this Department of Justice,” Bondi stated.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the seriousness of the threat. “The arrest and prosecution of this vicious Tren de Aragua gang member underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting our law enforcement officers.”
Hurtado-Cariaco remains in federal custody with no bond and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. A preliminary hearing is scheduled in the U.S. District Court of Nebraska.
As federal law enforcement faces escalating attacks from foreign nationals with known gang ties, officials say this case proves the urgent need for tougher border security and interior enforcement.
