A high-ranking Tren de Aragua gang member who claims to be an asylum seeker, together with two different migrants donning what gave the impression to be high-end Ralph Lauren-branded teddy bear tops, appeared in courtroom on Wednesday charged with trafficking an arsenal of weapons throughout New York City.
It’s the most recent case in an extended listing of migrant crime-related cases within the sanctuary metropolis.
The three handcuffed Venezuelans had been shuffled into the New York State Supreme Courtroom in Manhattan, the place they pleaded not responsible to a slew of costs, together with conspiracy, felony sale of a firearm, and felony possession of a weapon.
Stefano Pachon, 21, a high-ranking member of the Tren de Aragua gang, offered a number of loaded weapons, some had unlawful ammunition loading gadgets and one was a ghost gun, prosecutors stated. (Fox Information)
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Prosecutors from Alvin Bragg’s Manhattan District Lawyer’s Workplace stated the weapons offered embody semiautomatic pistols, shotguns, rifles and ghost weapons.
One of many semi-automatic weapons was outfitted with a “sear change” to show it computerized and plenty of had been offered with giant ammunition-feeding gadgets to extend their capability.
The defendants offered 11 weapons between September 2024 and January 2025 on 10 separate events, in accordance with courtroom paperwork and statements made on the document in courtroom, prosecutors stated. The migrants are accused of sending details about the weapons over WhatsApp, together with images. The client would then come to the meet-up level and supply money in trade for the weapons.
Stefano Pachon, 21, a high-ranking member of the Tren de Aragua gang, offered a number of loaded weapons, some had unlawful ammunition loading gadgets and one was a ghost gun.
He offered the weapons whereas out on a bench warrant and already had 4 arrests to his title.
Pachon, prosecutors stated, acted because the ringleader and negotiated the acquisition and worth for many of the weapons. The gross sales occurred in a number of areas within the Bronx and at a fuel station in East Harlem at East one hundred and twenty fifth Road and Second Avenue. He wore a crimson hoody in courtroom.
A number of the weapons that had been confiscated by regulation enforcement. (Manhattan DA’ Workplace)
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His lawyer informed the courtroom that he’s an asylum seeker from Venezuela and falls beneath sure safety, is of modest means and had a incapacity from a earlier stabbing. His lawyer famous that President Biden just lately signed an order that gives protections for Venezuelans. He came to the U.S. in December 2023.
Decide Althea Drysdale responded by saying that simply because the migrants come from Venezuela doesn’t make them asylum seekers.
Darwin Figuera, 34, and Yorman Serrano, 31, had been additionally charged within the 31-count indictment. A fourth co-conspirator has additionally been charged within the indictment.
Serrano, wearing a inexperienced fuzzy hoody with a “polo” teddy bear emblem, has a earlier conviction in Queens and was arrested in Connecticut for possessing a shoplifting gadget. Figuera, wearing a cream sweater with teddy bear designs, got here to the U.S. in October, whereas Serrano had been right here since December 2023.
All three spoke through an interpreter.
Yorman Serrano has a earlier conviction in Queens and was arrested in Connecticut for possessing a shoplifting gadget. (Fox Information)
The case stemmed partly from an investigation into Victor Parra, the ringleader of a cell-phone snatching ring. Earlier this week, Parra pleaded responsible to 2 counts of grand larceny and is anticipated to be sentenced to 2 to 6 years in state jail. The proof in that investigation contributed to the investigation of this gun trafficking conspiracy.
“These costs are a stark reminder that we should at all times stay vigilant towards high-powered, unlawful firearms and the harmful gangs that will use them to harm New York Metropolis households and communities,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated in an announcement.
“The NYPD will at all times unflinchingly carry out the heroic work required to forestall these weapons from stepping into criminals’ fingers, so that everybody in our metropolis can dwell free from worry and violence.”
Darwin Figuera, 34, pictured in courtroom. (Fox Information)
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Bragg said that gun violence is trending downward in Manhattan, however there’s much more work to do.
“Promoting unlawful weapons in Manhattan is unacceptable and won’t be tolerated,” Bragg stated in an announcement. “The scourge of gun violence takes a devastating toll on our communities, and I’ve met with far too many heartbroken households who’ve misplaced a liked one due to unlawful firearms.”
The choose ordered Pachon to be held with out bail, whereas Figuera was held on $50,000 money bail and Serrano had his bail set at $50,000.
The weapons confiscated included; 4 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistols every outfitted with ammunition magazines;a Polymer80 9-millimeter semi-automatic ghost gun that had {a magazine} with the capability for 34 rounds; a Smith & Wesson .38 particular caliber revolver; a 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun; a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber fully-automatic pistol that had {a magazine} with a capability of 15 rounds; an American Tactical 5.56×45 millimeter semi-automatic rifle outfitted with ammunition magazines; a Radical 5.56×45 millimeter semi-automatic pistol with ammunition magazines; and a Ruger semi-automatic pistol.
Fox Information’ Kirill Clark contributed to this report.
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