Tren de Aragua ‘asylum seeker’ and migrants smuggled arsenal of weapons across New York: Prosecutor
A high-ranking member of the Tren de Aragua gang who claims to be an asylum seeker, along with two other migrants wearing what appeared to be high-end T-shirts with Ralph Lauren teddy bears, appeared in court Wednesday accused of trafficking an arsenal of weapons through New York City.
It is the latest case in a long list cases related to migrant crime in the city of the sanctuary.
The three handcuffed Venezuelans were brought before New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, where they pleaded not guilty to a series of charges, including conspiracy, criminal sale of firearms and criminal possession of a weapon.
Stefano Pachon, 21, a high-ranking member of the Tren de Aragua gang, sold multiple loaded guns, some with illegal ammunition loading devices and one was a ghost gun, prosecutors said. (Fox News)
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Prosecutors from District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s Office in Manhattan said the weapons sold included semi-automatic pistolsshotguns, rifles and ghost guns.
One of the semi-automatic weapons was equipped with a “switch” for automatic engagement, and many were sold with large ammunition loading devices to increase their capacity.
The defendants sold 11 guns between September 2024 and January 2025 on 10 separate occasions, according to court documents and statements made in the court record, prosecutors said. The migrants were accused of sending information about weapons, including photos, via WhatsApp. The buyer would then come to the meeting place and give cash in exchange for the weapon.
Stefano Pachon, 21, a high-ranking member of the Tren de Aragua gang, sold multiple loaded guns, some with illegal ammunition loading devices and one a ghost gun.
He sold guns while on a warrant and already has four arrests.
Pachon, prosecutors said, acted as a ringleader and negotiated the purchase and price of most of the weapons. The sale took place at multiple locations in the Bronx and at a gas station in East Harlem at East 125th Street and Second Avenue. He was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt in court.
Some of the weapons seized by the police. (Manhattan District Attorney’s Office)
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His lawyer told the court that he is an asylum seeker from Venezuela and that he is under certain protection, that he is of modest means and that he has a disability from a previous stabbing. His lawyer noted that President Biden recently signed an executive order ensuring the protection of Venezuelans. He came to the USA in December 2023.
Judge Althea Drysdale responded by saying that just because migrants come from Venezuela does not mean they are asylum seekers.
Darwin Figuera, 34, and Yorman Serrano, 31, were also charged in the 31-count indictment. A fourth accomplice is also charged with the indictment.
Serrano, wearing a green hoodie with a “polo” teddy bear, has prior convictions in Queens and was arrested in Connecticut for possession of a shoplifting device. Figuera, wearing a cream sweater with teddy bear motifs, came to the US in October, while Serrano has been here since December 2023.
All three spoke through a translator.
Yorman Serrano has a previous conviction in Queens and was arrested in Connecticut for possession of a shoplifting device. (Fox News)
The case arose in part from an investigation into Victor Parra, the leader of a group of cell phone hijackers. Earlier this week, Parra pleaded guilty to two counts of grand larceny and is expected to be sentenced to two to six years in state prison. Evidence from that investigation contributed to the investigation into this arms-trafficking conspiracy.
“These charges are a stark reminder that we must always be vigilant against powerful, illegal firearms and the dangerous gangs that would use them to harm New York’s families and communities,” New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch it is stated in the press release.
“The NYPD will always be steadfast in doing the heroic work it takes to keep these weapons out of the hands of criminals, so everyone in our city can live free from fear and violence.”
Darwin Figuera, 34, pictured in court. (Fox News)
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Bragg said that gun violence is on a downward trend in Manhattan, but there is still much work to be done.
“The sale of illegal guns in Manhattan is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Bragg said in a statement. “The scourge of gun violence takes a devastating toll on our communities, and I have met too many broken families who have lost a loved one to illegal firearms.”
A judge ordered Pachon held without bail, while Figuera was held on $50,000 cash bail and Serrano was ordered held on $50,000 cash bail.
The seized weapons included; four 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistols equipped with ammunition containers; A Polymer80 9mm semi-automatic pistol that had a 34-round capacity magazine; Smith & Wesson .38 special caliber revolver; 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun; a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber fully automatic pistol that had a 15-round capacity magazine; American tactical semi-automatic rifle 5.56×45 millimeter equipped with ammunition magazines; Radical 5.56×45 mm semi-automatic pistol with ammunition containers; and a Ruger semi-automatic handgun.
Fox News’ Kirill Clark contributed to this report.
