Arrest of Venezuelan Gang Member Following Officer Attack
Gabriel Hurtado Cariaco, 30, has been taken into federal custody after allegedly attempting to kill one law enforcement officer and injuring another during a traffic stop. He’s facing charges of attempted murder and assault on a federal officer, according to officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
As a suspected member of the notorious Tren de Aragua (TDA) gang, Hurtado-Cariaco reportedly attacked two officers on June 18 in Bellevue, Nebraska. He is a Venezuelan national who is living in the U.S. illegally.
During an operation aimed at executing an immigration-related warrant, federal agents encountered Hurtado-Cariaco near his home. When the agent initiated a traffic stop, instructing him to exit his vehicle, Hurtado-Cariaco allegedly resisted and attacked an agent, dragging them to the ground.
The DOJ stated that Hurtado-Cariaco managed to escape one agent, causing them to hit their head and elbow on the pavement. The officer sustained injuries but managed to get up and attempt to detain him again.
In the chaos, a second agent joined the struggle to handcuff Hurtado-Cariaco, leading to a more violent confrontation that ended with all three involved on the ground.
While on the ground, Hurtado-Cariaco reportedly placed the injured agent in a chokehold and ignored commands from the second agent. Instead of fleeing, he chose to continue the attack.
Eventually, the second officer managed to get Hurtado-Cariaco in a chokehold, allowing the injured agent to escape. He then broke free and fled but was later found and arrested at a nearby apartment.
The DOJ indicated that Hurtado-Cariaco has a serious legal situation ahead of him. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. He initially entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 but was removed by Border Patrol before re-entering in 2024.
Attorney General Pam Bondy emphasized that violence against law enforcement is intolerable, while Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche highlighted the commitment to protecting those in law enforcement roles. After Hurtado-Cariaco’s arrest, the injured agent was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
