Five defendants have been charged with multiple felonies, including drug trafficking conspiracy and firearms trafficking conspiracy, following investigations by the Nashville Homeland Security Task Force, United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee announced on May 11.
The case involves alleged associates of Tren De Aragua (TdA), a transnational criminal organization from Venezuela, as well as members of a splinter group known as "Anti-Tren." The charges include using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. According to authorities, the investigation began around September 2025 and targeted Maikel Jesus Albornoz-Jimenez, Eduard Jesus Velasquez-Matute, Faren Aldahir Marquez-Cruz, Jose Luis Baza-Rodriguez (also known as "Yonce"), Luis Manuel Tovar-Virguz, and others suspected of trafficking firearms and narcotics throughout middle Tennessee and across the country.
According to court documents referenced in the announcement, Albornoz was identified as a supplier of firearms and narcotics in middle Tennessee who also facilitated deals nationwide. Some of the seized firearms were previously reported stolen or linked to violent crimes such as shootings. In total, authorities seized 25 firearms in middle Tennessee; eight were reported stolen and two have been preliminarily tied to shootings in Nashville.
United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek said: “The Homeland Security Task Force is the tip of the spear in law enforcement’s efforts to stop Transnational Criminal Organizations like TdA, ‘Anti-Tren,’ and others from further victimizing our community... Thanks to the cooperation of our partner law enforcement agencies, we have all the tools we need to put these illegal gun traffickers and drug traffickers out of business for good.” Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Colin Jackson said: “By combining resources and expertise, we continue to target drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and other threats to our communities. This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting the public...”
Other officials also commented on interagency collaboration. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives Special Agent Jamey VanVliet said: “Gang members and violence... damage entire communities...” FBI Special Agent Terence G. Reilly stated: “This case highlights the power of partnership... The FBI is committed...to stop threats before more lives are put at risk.” Nashville Police Chief John Drake added that ballistic testing linked one seized gun directly to a shooting incident involving injuries.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee heads operations from Nashville across 32 counties; it handles federal criminal prosecutions while collaborating with law enforcement partners for community safety initiatives according to its official website.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
