HOUSTON – A man, who authorities say was in the United States illegally, is one of 16 Venezuelan nationals facing federal drug trafficking and weapons charges.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced charges against Jose Miguel Briceno, 25. Briceno is alleged to have been involved in the March mass shooting at the Latinas Sports Bar located on Hillcroft Street.
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Authorities allege Briceno wounded six people after shooting inside the doorway of the bar. He then allegedly discarded the gun that was used, which law enforcement never found. He is charged federally with unlawful possession of ammunition by an alien. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison and a maximum $250,00 fine. Briceno was also charged with aggravated assault through a mass shooting when he was arrested after the shooting, which is separate from the federal charge. He was given a $1 million bond.
Briceno, along with 15 others, are alleged to have been part of Anti-Tren, a criminal organization almost exclusively comprised of former members and associates of Tren de Aragua (TdA). Similar to TdA, purposes of Anti-Tren allegedly include preserving and protecting the power and territory of the organization and its members and associates through attempted murder, other acts of violence and threats of such. This includes targeting members and associates of TdA and enriching the members and associates of Anti-Tren through, among other things, the trafficking of firearms and controlled substances, according to the charges.
Two criminal complaints charge 14 Anti-Tren members and associates with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. These include Luis Miguel Claros Sarmiento, 26; Dany E. Rojas, 28; Ismael Leon Belbin, 24; Andy Luis Alvarez Herrera, 28; Cesar Oskeiber Cabezas Pacheco, 26; and Cesar Mauricio Velasquez, 27; Venezuelan nationals Raul Armando Ramirez Correa, 24; Darwin Martinez, 37; Peter Davila, 34; Otis Jose Rodriguez Garcia, 31; Pedro Hernandez Delgado, 19; Jesus F. Fernandez Troconiz, 26; Embeer J. Gutierrez Ternawskyj, 24; as well as Raul Antonio Claros Sarmiento, 30, Honduras.
According to the allegations, two groups of individuals agreed to transport kilogram quantities of cocaine in exchange for $15,000 for each load with each group accepting half as payment in advance.
“The Southern District’s twin priorities are securing our border and the eradication of violent crime. This case implicates both,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX). “Operation Take Back America means going on the offensive against transnational criminal organizations to ensure that they cannot take root in our community and endanger public safety. SDTX is going to be unapologetic in carrying out that mission.”
“These arrests are the largest takedown of suspected Anti-Tren members and associates by the FBI, so far, and they happened right here in Houston,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the FBI Houston Field Office. “These individuals are accused of engaging in a turf war with TdA members and carrying out numerous violent crimes throughout our city, including a mass shooting at a local sports bar that left six people wounded. Fortunately, for the good and safety of our community, these individuals are now in federal custody facing U.S. justice.”
If convicted, they face up to life in prison and a possible $10 million fine.
Correa, Ternawskyj, Garcia, Delgado and Pedro Jose Ramirez Delgado, 26, are also charged separately with various weapons offenses based on their alleged possession and sale of firearms. If convicted of those charges, they could receive up to 15 years in prison.