Danielle R. Sassoon, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the arrest of Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco on January 28, 2025. Zambrano-Pacheco is charged in Manhattan federal court with being a fugitive in possession of a firearm. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis and was ordered to be detained.
U.S. Attorney Sassoon stated: "As alleged, the defendant—a member of the violent Venezuelan transnational gang known as Tren de Aragua—went on the lam for several months after committing an armed home invasion and other crimes in Colorado. When he was located and arrested in New York City, he was found with a gun and ammunition."
HSI Special Agent William S. Walker commented: "Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco is an alleged dangerous fugitive affiliated with Tren de Aragua, a violent transnational criminal organization known for terrorizing the American public as seen in horrifying videos from Colorado."
The complaint alleges that law enforcement has been investigating suspected members of Tren de Aragua (TDA), including Zambrano-Pacheco. The gang originated in Venezuela and has expanded into the U.S., notably New York City.
On August 18, 2024, Aurora police responded to a shooting resulting in one death. Surveillance footage identified Zambrano-Pacheco among six armed men entering apartment units with weapons. A warrant was issued for his arrest on September 17, 2024, for charges including burglary and menacing.
Zambrano-Pacheco was tracked to an apartment in the Bronx where law enforcement discovered him with a loaded Smith and Wesson pistol nearby.
Zambrano-Pacheco faces charges carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years if convicted. However, any sentencing would be determined by a judge.
Ms. Sassoon praised various agencies involved in the investigation, which remains ongoing.
The case is managed by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jun Xiang, Kathryn Wheelock, and Timothy Ly leading prosecution efforts.
The charge against Zambrano-Pacheco is an accusation; he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
