Alleged Gang Member Charged With Attempted Murder
Federal prosecutors have charged a 30-year-old Venezuelan national, Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, with attempted murder of a federal officer following a violent confrontation with law enforcement in Bellevue, Nebraska.
Hurtado-Cariaco, who is reportedly in the United States illegally, is also suspected of being affiliated with Tren de Aragua, a transnational criminal organization with origins in Venezuela.
According to the Department of Justice, FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents attempted to apprehend Hurtado-Cariaco, at which point the suspect became violently combative. During the arrest attempt, he allegedly slammed one agent’s head into the pavement and placed another in a chokehold.
The agents were ultimately able to subdue and arrest the suspect, though one agent sustained injuries and required hospitalization.
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the gravity of the attack. “Deadly violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated by this Department of Justice,” she said. “We have charged this illegal alien with attempted murder.”
After the initial altercation, Hurtado-Cariaco fled the scene but was later located and arrested at his residence by federal agents. U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods commended the agents’ response under duress, noting that despite the threat to their lives, the officers conducted a successful operation and maintained professionalism throughout the incident.
The suspect has made an initial appearance before a federal judge, who ordered that he remain in custody pending further legal proceedings. If convicted, Hurtado-Cariaco faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche linked the case to broader national security concerns, calling the arrest a signal of the government’s commitment to law enforcement protection. “Violent attacks from terrorists against those who serve our communities will be met with swift and decisive justice,” Blanche said.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities closely examining any ties between the suspect and the Tren de Aragua organization, which is known for its involvement in violent crime, human trafficking, and international drug smuggling.