New York, NY — Ten suspected members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, classified as a foreign terrorist organization, have been indicted in a comprehensive superseding indictment for racketeering, double homicide, and various other violent offenses throughout New York City, as announced by the U.S. Department of Justice today.
The indictment, revealed in the Southern District of New York, alleges that the defendants were involved in a ruthless criminal operation linked to murder, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, armed robbery, and extortion. Specifically, six members face charges for the double murder that occurred on May 24, 2024, involving Claretha LaQuesha Daniels (44) and Justin Lawless (36) near 2290 Davidson Avenue in the Bronx, which also resulted in injuries to a third individual.
Crimes & Defendants Named in the Indictment
Among the individuals charged are:
- Keiber Jaen Martinez, aka “Keybe”
- Samuel Gonzalez Castro, aka “Klei” or “Kley”
- Eferson Morillo-Gomez, aka “Jefferson” or “Efe Trebol”
- Keiver Silva-Jimenez, aka “Chuky” (currently at large)
- Keineyer Ibarra-Mujica, aka “Keiner”
- Marlon Farias, aka “Bili” (previously deported)
Four other TdA members were also named for their involvement in related racketeering activities. Eight of the 10 defendants are currently in federal or state custody. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote.
“The Department of Justice is completely committed to destroying Tren de Aragua and bringing its members to justice for their horrific crimes against the American people,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Today’s indictment reflects our ongoing efforts to dismantle this terrorist organization by any legal means necessary.”
The indictment accuses the group of conducting a reign of terror in New York City, including:
- The double homicide in the Bronx on May 24, 2024
- An Aug. 4, 2024 shooting in Queens by Gonzalez Castro, who allegedly wounded a rival gang member and an innocent bystander
- A Sept. 30, 2024 armed carjacking and robbery of a car dealership employee in the Bronx
“These members of Tren de Aragua were illegally present in the U.S. and committed horrific crimes, including murder, sex trafficking, and drug distribution,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York. “Our goal is clear — dismantle cartels and criminal gangs that endanger American communities.”
Originating in Venezuela, Tren de Aragua has evolved into a transnational criminal syndicate with a violent presence in South America and now U.S. cities, including New York. According to court documents, the group operates by:
- Smuggling and trafficking women from Venezuela into Peru and the U.S., forcing them into commercial sex work
- Using violence, threats, kidnapping, and even murder to enforce control over trafficking victims
- Engaging in narcotics trafficking, including distribution of a ketamine-based drug called “tusi”
- Carrying out armed robberies and assaults
- Evading law enforcement through intimidation and witness tampering
The gang also reportedly tracked down and kidnapped women who attempted to flee their traffickers and used coded communications to coordinate murders and criminal operations.
“Tren de Aragua is one of the most violent and ruthless terrorist gangs on the planet,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are hunting them down and taking them off our streets.”
“With ruthless tactics and a disregard for human life, this foreign terrorist organization has become a symbol of unchecked brutality,” said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “We are dismantling TdA piece by piece.”
The DOJ stated that the defendants face a range of maximum penalties, including life imprisonment. Charges include:
- Racketeering conspiracy
- Murder in aid of racketeering
- Attempted murder
- Firearms and drug trafficking
- Sex trafficking and forced labor
- Carjacking and robbery
The charges remain allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Sentencing, if applicable, will be determined by a federal judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
| COUNT | CHARGE | DEFENDANTS | MAX. PENALTIES |
| 1 | Racketeeringconspiracy18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) | Jarwin Valero-Calderon aka “La Fama,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,”Eferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,”Keiver Silva-Jimenez aka “Josue Reuben Silva,” and “Chuky,”Keineyer Ibarra-Mujica aka “Keiner,”Marlon Farias aka “Bili”Brayan Oliveros-Chero,Sandro Oliveros-Chero, andArmando Jose Perez Gonzalez aka “Biblia” | Life in prison |
| 2 | Drug trafficking conspiracy21 U.S.C. § 846 | Jarwin Valero-Calderon aka “La Fama,”Brayan Oliveros-Chero,Sandro Oliveros-Chero, andArmando Jose Perez Gonzalez aka “Biblia” | 20 years in prison |
| 3 | Carjacking conspiracy18 U.S.C. § 371 | Jarwin Valero-Calderon aka “La Fama,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,” Eferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,” | Five years in prison |
| 4 | Carjacking18 U.S.C. § 2119 | Jarwin Valero-Calderon aka “La Fama,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,” andEferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,” | 15 years in prison |
| 5 | Hobbs Act robbery18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2 | Jarwin Valero-Calderon aka “La Fama,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,” andEferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,” | 20 years in prison |
| 6 | Firearm use, carrying, and possession – September 30, 202418 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and (ii), and 2 | Jarwin Valero-Calderon aka “La Fama,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,” andEferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,” | Life in prisonMandatory minimum penalty of seven years in prison |
| 7 | Attempted Hobbs Act extortion18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2 | Jarwin Valero-Calderon aka “La Fama,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,” andEferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,” | 20 years in prison |
| 8 | Firearm use, carrying, and possession – conspiracy18 U.S.C. § 924(o) | Jarwin Valero-Calderon aka “La Fama,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,” andEferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,” | 20 years in prison |
| 9 | Firearm use, carrying, and possession – conspiracy18 U.S.C. § 924(o) | Brayan Oliveros-Chero, andSandro Oliveros-Chero | 20 years in prison |
| 10 | Firearm use, carrying, and possession18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2 | Brayan Oliveros-Chero | 20 years in prison |
| 11 | Possession of ammunition by an illegal alien18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2 | Brayan Oliveros-Chero | 15 years in prison |
| 12 | Possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2 | Sandro Oliveros-Chero | 15 years in prison |
| 13 | Firearm use, carrying, and possession18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2 | Armando Jose Perez Gonzalez aka “Biblia” | Life in prisonMandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison |
| 14 | Possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2 | Armando Jose Perez Gonzalez aka “Biblia” | 15 years in prison |
| 15 | Murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering – Claretha LaQuesha Daniels18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1), (a)(3), and 2 | Keiber Jaen Martinez aka “Keybe,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,”Eferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,”Keiver Silva-Jimenez aka “Josue Reuben Silva,” and “Chuky,”Keineyer Ibarra-Mujica aka “Keiner,” andMarlon Farias aka “Bili” | Life in prison or deathMandatory minimum penalty of life in prison |
| 16 | Firearms use, carrying, and possession – Claretha LaQuesha Daniels18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2 | Keiber Jaen Martinez aka “Keybe,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,”Eferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,”Keiver Silva-Jimenez aka “Josue Reuben Silva,” and “Chuky,”Keineyer Ibarra-Mujica aka “Keiner,” andMarlon Farias aka “Bili” | Life in prisonMandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison |
| 17 | Murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering – Justin Lawless18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1), (a)(3), and 2 | Keiber Jaen Martinez aka “Keybe,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,”Eferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,”Keiver Silva-Jimenez aka “Josue Reuben Silva,” and “Chuky,”Keineyer Ibarra-Mujica aka “Keiner,” andMarlon Farias aka “Bili” | Life in prison or deathMandatory minimum penalty of life in prison |
| 18 | Firearms use, carrying, and possession – Justin Lawless18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2 | Keiber Jaen Martinez aka “Keybe,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,”Eferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,”Keiver Silva-Jimenez aka “Josue Reuben Silva,” and “Chuky,”Keineyer Ibarra-Mujica aka “Keiner,” andMarlon Farias aka “Bili” | Life in prisonMandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison |
| 19 | Attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering – Victim-318 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1), (a)(3), and 2 | Keiber Jaen Martinez aka “Keybe,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,”Eferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,”Keiver Silva-Jimenez aka “Josue Reuben Silva,” and “Chuky,”Keineyer Ibarra-Mujica aka “Keiner,” andMarlon Farias aka “Bili” | 20 years in prison |
| 20 | Firearms use, carrying, and possession – Victim-318 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2 | Keiber Jaen Martinez aka “Keybe,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,”Eferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,”Keiver Silva-Jimenez aka “Josue Reuben Silva,” and “Chuky,”Keineyer Ibarra-Mujica aka “Keiner,” andMarlon Farias aka “Bili” | Life in prisonMandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison |
| 21 | Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering | Keiber Jaen Martinez aka “Keybe,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,”Eferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,”Keiver Silva-Jimenez aka “Josue Reuben Silva,” and “Chuky,”Keineyer Ibarra-Mujica aka “Keiner,” andMarlon Farias aka “Bili” | Life in prisonMandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison |
| 22 | Possession of ammunition by an illegal alien18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2 | Keiber Jaen Martinez aka “Keybe,”Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,”Eferson Morillo-Gomez aka “Jefferson,” and “Efe Trebol,”Keiver Silva-Jimenez aka “Josue Reuben Silva,” and “Chuky,”Keineyer Ibarra-Mujica aka “Keiner,” andMarlon Farias aka “Bili” | 15 years in prison |
| 23 | Attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering – August 3, 2024, Shooting | Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,” | 20 years in prison |
| 24 | Firearms use, carrying, and possession – August 3, 2024, Shooting18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2 | Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,” | Life in prisonMandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison |
| 25 | Possession of ammunition by an illegal alien18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2 | Samuel Gonzalez Castro aka “Klei,” and “Kley,” | 15 years in prison |
