Markenzy Lapointe U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida
A Venezuelan national, suspected of being a member of the Tren de Aragua gang, has been charged with illegal possession of a firearm in Miami. The individual, Luis Ernesto Veliz Riera, 23, reportedly entered the United States using the now-disabled Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One Application in February 2023.
According to court documents, Veliz Riera was apprehended by law enforcement after failing to appear for an immigration hearing scheduled in Las Vegas. He remained in El Paso awaiting his girlfriend's arrival from Mexico before traveling through several cities and eventually settling in Homestead, Florida.
On October 17, 2024, during an investigation into potential criminal activities related to the Tren de Aragua gang, authorities stopped Veliz Riera and discovered he had an outstanding warrant and was unlawfully residing in the U.S. Further investigations revealed he possessed a loaded Taurus PT609 Pro 9mm handgun despite his illegal status.
Veliz Riera was arrested on state charges on October 17, 2024. Subsequently, he was placed under immigration detention but later released with electronic monitoring. On February 3, 2025, federal agencies reexamined this release decision and administratively arrested him.
Federal prosecutors formally charged Veliz Riera on February 14 with possessing a firearm as an illegal alien under Title 18 of the United States Code. During his initial federal court appearance, he agreed to remain in custody pending trial.
United States Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne announced these developments alongside Acting Special Agent Jose R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations' Miami Field Office.
The case is being investigated by HSI-Miami’s Fort Lauderdale office with assistance from various local law enforcement agencies and federal bodies including ATF Miami and FBI Miami. Assistant United States Attorney Kseniya Smychkouskaya is leading the prosecution.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint serves only as an allegation; all defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in court.
For more information or related court documents under case number 25-mj-02303 can be accessed at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
