Two people involved in the violent assault on two police officers in Times Square have been identified as suspected members of a well-known Venezuelan gang. Wilson Juarez, 21, and Kelvin Servita-Arocha, 19, are facing charges in connection with the incident that occurred last month.
According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, the two individuals have been identified as members of the Tren de Aragua gang.
NYC Police Re-Arrest Venezuelan Migrants
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has re-arrested two Venezuelan migrants involved in a violent assault on NYPD officers near Times Square several weeks ago. The incident, captured on video, depicted a gang of young men kicking and punching two officers who were attempting to detain someone outside a migrant shelter. The subsequent arrest and release of the individuals have ignited a heated debate on immigration policies and law enforcement procedures.
Initially arrested after the mob attack, the two migrants, identified as Mr. Servita-Arocha and Mr. Juarez-Aguilarte, were released by local authorities, leading to widespread outrage. However, police encountered them again while apprehending another suspect linked to the assault on officers. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) promptly intervened and took the duo into custody.
ICE spokeswoman Marie Ferguson confirmed that both migrants are currently detained without bond, facing charges related to the violent gang assault on the NYPD officers. Ferguson added that the agency has identified the migrants as associated with the notorious Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela, known for engaging in human trafficking, extortion, and murder.
Mr. Servita-Arocha was taken into custody due to an immigration warrant, while Mr. Juarez-Aguilarte was apprehended again because of an unresolved deportation order. It was unexpected that Juarez's deportation had been ordered by an immigration judge a year prior, which begged the issue of why ICE had not carried out the order sooner, according to The Washington Times.
Read Also: Prostate Cancer Threat: Genetic Mutations Could Explain Higher Risk Among Black Men
Tren de Aragua Gang Exploits US Immigration
According to experts, the Tren de Aragua gang has found ways to exploit the US immigration system, infiltrating members across the southern border. Retired US Marshal and gang expert Robert Almonte emphasized the gang's violent history in Venezuela and expressed concerns about their potential continuation of criminal activities in the United States.
The assault in Times Square resulted in the arrest of eight individuals, but local authorities have faced challenges in keeping them behind bars. The controversy escalated when a second migrant linked to the attack, Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel, was ordered held without bail after being re-arrested for alleged shoplifting at a Queens Macy's department store.
Melinda Katz, the district attorney for Queens, emphasized the value of following the law and taking people who participate in obvious illegality responsible. The decision to detain Gomez-Izquiel and another migrant, Ulises Bohorquez, on significant bail amounts demonstrates a dedication to maintaining accountability.
NYPD PBA President Patrick Hendry criticized the migrant suspects for having "no regard for the law" and vowed to hold the criminal justice system accountable for their actions. With at least one migrant still at large and others facing charges, the investigation continues to unfold.
While ICE has confirmed the unlawful presence of the detained migrants, the NYPD has not definitively linked them to the Tren de Aragua gang. The broader concern remains as the NYPD issues warnings about the gang infiltrating the city, prompting National Guard troops to monitor migrant shelters for potential gang members seeking asylum, New York Post reported.
Related Article: Senate Likely To Reject GOP Attempt To Impeach Alejandro Mayorkas After 3 Republicans Vote Against Party Efforts
