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A man believed to be associated with the dangerous Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) has been taken into federal custody after reportedly trying to kill a law enforcement officer and wounding another during a routine traffic stop.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), 30-year-old Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco is facing charges of attempted murder of a federal officer and assault of a federal officer resulting in bodily harm.
Federal prosecutors claim that Hurtado-Cariaco, a Venezuelan citizen living in the United States illegally and suspected member of the infamous TdA gang, assaulted two law enforcement officers during an incident at a traffic stop in Bellevue, Nebraska on June 18.
“Violence against federal law enforcement officers in the line of duty will not be tolerated in Nebraska,” U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods said in a statement, adding, “These federal agents maintained their professionalism while being met with potentially fatal violence. Despite sustaining injuries, the agents did not give up and made a successful arrest.”
Following Hurtado-Cariaco’s arrest, the injured agent was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Hurtado-Cariaco has been ordered to remain in federal custody and faces the possibility of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted. He initially entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 and was removed by Border Patrol agents, but re-entered the country in 2024, a Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital.
Hurtado-Cariaco’s attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
“The arrest and prosecution of this vicious Tren de Aragua gang member underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting our law enforcement officers in the line of duty,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement. “Violent attacks from terrorists against those who serve our communities will be met with swift and decisive justice.”
