Jose Ybarra, the suspect in the murder of University of Georgia student Laken Riley, is currently on trial for the horrific crime, which shocked the nation and highlighted the impact of the border crisis created by the Biden-Harris administration.
Homeland Security sources confirmed Ibarra is a member of Torren de Aragua, NewsNation correspondent Ali Bradley reported. of new york post A similar report was made in March.
The TDA is a gang formed in Venezuela that has largely controlled the country's black market, which has declined under socialist policies. Gang members have also reportedly acted as enforcers against the Venezuelan government, which is considered an enemy.
The gang has also been linked to murder, violent theft, extortion, and human trafficking rings as its members expand their reach.
Ibarra, like many other Venezuelans, took advantage of the U.S.'s open borders by illegally entering El Paso, Texas, in 2022. He was released into the country and eventually ended up in New York City. During his stay, he was arrested for a minor crime, but was released before U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement could take him into custody.
Ibarra's roommate and his brother are also members of TDA. testified They went to the Roosevelt Hotel, where they received a “humanitarian flight” that would take them from New York City to Athens, Georgia, in September 2023.
President-elect Donald Trump's campaign: “As of January 20th, protections for criminally illegal aliens in the United States will completely end.'' said on Monday following this revelation.
Prosecutors are calling Riley's killing a crime of opportunity. Ibarra is said to have been jogging near the university when he encountered her. Data from Riley's smartwatch showed she fought off her attacker for about 20 minutes before the attacker used a rock to crush her skull.
TDA has been in the news since the rise of this gang in late 2023. As its members expand, the gang has also been linked to murder, violent theft, extortion, and human trafficking rings. Until the border crisis began in 2021, TDA remained primarily within South America, pursuing other Venezuelans fleeing the unfree country.
TDAs exist in states such as Texas, New York, Florida, Tennessee, Colorado, and Illinois.
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