A leader of the Torren de Aragua gang who claims to be an asylum seeker was charged Wednesday with gun trafficking along with two other immigrants wearing what appeared to be luxury teddy bear tops from the Ralph Lauren brand. Appeared in court. All of New York City.
This is the latest in a long list of immigrant crime-related cases in sanctuary cities.
The three handcuffed Venezuelans were shuffled into New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, where they pleaded not guilty to numerous charges, including conspiracy, criminal sale of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon.
Prosecutors say Stefano Pashon, 21, a leader in the Torren de Aragua gang, sells guns loaded with multiple types of ammunition, some with illegal ammunition loading devices; One was said to be a ghost gun. (Fox News)
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Prosecutors with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, led by Alvin Bragg, said the weapons sold included semi-automatic pistols, shotguns, rifles and ghost guns.
Some semi-automatic rifles were equipped with a “sear switch” for automation, and many were sold with large ammunition feeders to increase the number of rounds.
According to prosecutors, the defendants sold 11 guns on 10 separate occasions between September 2024 and January 2025, according to statements made in court documents and court records. The migrants are accused of sending information about weapons, including photos, via WhatsApp. The buyer then comes to the meeting point and offers cash in exchange for the gun.
Prosecutors say Stefano Pashon, 21, a leader in the Torren de Aragua gang, sold guns loaded with multiple types of ammunition, some of which contained illegal ammunition loading devices. One was said to be a ghost gun.
He allegedly sold weapons while out on a court warrant, and four people have already been arrested in his name.
Prosecutors said Pachon acted as the 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 on East 125th Street and Second Avenue in East Harlem. He wore a red hoodie in court.
Some of the guns confiscated by police. (Manhattan Attorney's Office)
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His lawyer told the court he was an asylum seeker from Venezuela who was eligible for certain protections, was of modest means and was disabled as a result of a previous stabbing. His lawyer pointed out that President Biden recently signed an order protecting Venezuelans. He moved to the United States in December 2023.
In response, Judge Althea Drysdale said that just because a migrant came from Venezuela does not make them an asylum seeker.
Darwin Figuera, 34, and Yeoman Serrano, 31, were also charged in a 31-count indictment. A fourth co-conspirator was also charged.
Mr. Serrano, wearing a fluffy green hoodie with a Polo teddy bear logo, had a criminal record in Queens and was arrested in Connecticut for possession of shoplifting equipment. Figuera, wearing a cream-colored sweater with a teddy bear design, arrived in the United States in October, while Serrano had been in Japan since December 2023.
All three spoke through an interpreter.
Yeoman Serrano has a criminal record in Queens and was arrested in Connecticut for possessing shoplifting paraphernalia. (Fox News)
The case began in part with an investigation into Victor Parra, the ringleader of a cell phone snatching ring. 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 of this gun trafficking conspiracy.
“These charges continue our vigilance against powerful illegal firearms and the dangerous gangs that use them to harm New York City families and communities,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a statement. “It was a stark reminder of what we needed to do.”
“The New York City Police Department will always remain unflinching in the heroic work necessary to keep these weapons out of the hands of criminals and ensure that everyone in our city can live free from fear and violence. ”
Darwin Figuera, 34, photographed in court. (Fox News)
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Bragg said gun violence is on the decline in Manhattan, but there's still a lot of work to be done.
“The sale of illegal weapons in Manhattan is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Bragg said in a statement. “The scourge of gun violence is devastating to our communities, and I have seen too many families grieve the loss of loved ones to illegal firearms.”
The judge ordered Pashon held without bail, while Figuera's bail was set at $50,000 cash and Serrano's bail was set at $50,000.
The guns seized included: Equipped with four 9mm semi-automatic pistols, each with an ammunition magazine. Polymer80 9mm semi-automatic ghost gun. It had a magazine that held 34 rounds. Smith & Wesson .38 special caliber revolver. 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun. A Smith & Wesson .40 caliber fully automatic pistol with a 15-round magazine. American Tactical 5.56x45mm semi-automatic rifle with ammunition magazine. Radical 5.56×45 mm semi-automatic pistol with ammunition magazine. and a Ruger semi-automatic pistol.
FOX News' Cyril Clark contributed to this report.
