Federal prosecutors in New Mexico have indicted 11 alleged members and leaders of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua on racketeering charges. The indictment accuses them of kidnapping, interrogating, and murdering a victim in Albuquerque, then burying the body in a remote desert location.
Court documents state that Henderson Yofre Mavo Finol and Adan Jose Ramirez Sanchez, both Venezuelan nationals allegedly present illegally in the United States, are identified as leaders of the group. On June 16, 2024, they are accused of directing the kidnapping of an individual referred to as John Doe 1. Hagy Jose Barrios Rojano is alleged to have lured the victim to an apartment where other members restrained and assaulted him. During this assault, Leonel Arquimedes Bustamante Sanchez reportedly struck the victim with a firearm.
After restraining John Doe 1, group members allegedly contacted Mavo Finol by phone, bringing Ramirez Sanchez and other associates into the conversation. The indictment claims that during this call, John Doe 1 was interrogated about his loyalty to Tren de Aragua and possible ties to rival gangs. A leader then ordered that he be killed.
According to prosecutors, several defendants carried out the murder by strangling John Doe 1. Images of the deceased were sent to leadership for confirmation. Afterward, Antoni Alfredo Herrera Montanez allegedly acquired luggage for transporting the body and cleaning supplies for concealment efforts. Other members cleaned up evidence from the apartment before transporting and burying the body at a remote site using a vehicle owned by Herrera Montanez.
The indictment also alleges that Ramirez Sanchez participated in an armed confrontation at an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado on August 18, 2024, resulting in gunfire between rival groups and another death (John Doe 2).
Additional charges include illegal possession of firearms and ammunition by some defendants in Albuquerque during February 2025. Two individuals face charges related to possessing controlled substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana, materials used for manufacturing "tusi"—a pink narcotic drug commonly found in Venezuela—and fraudulent immigration documents.
If convicted on charges including conspiracy to conduct racketeering activity, murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering and drug trafficking conspiracy, several defendants face potential life sentences.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison announced these indictments on behalf of the Homeland Security Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Trembley, Nora Wilson and Randy Castellano are prosecuting alongside Department of Justice attorneys Jeremy Franker and Jason Harley. Support was provided by DOJ’s Office of International Affairs and its judicial attaché office in Bogotá.
Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), which was created to combat MS-13 but has expanded its focus to include Tren de Aragua operations nationwide—including districts such as New York; North Carolina; Virginia; Florida; Texas; Oklahoma; Indiana; Nevada—has partnered with agencies like FBI, DEA, HSI and others for this effort.
The prosecution forms part of an initiative under Executive Order 14159 aimed at disrupting criminal cartels operating within U.S. borders through interagency cooperation involving law enforcement bodies at federal and local levels across multiple states including New Mexico.
"Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," according to federal authorities.
More information can be found via these resources:
- Justice Department highlights nationwide crackdown on Tren de Aragua
- Tren de Aragua senior leadership charged with terrorism
- Leader charged with racketeering in Manhattan
