Two men with ties to Venezuelan gang arrested in Portland on federal charges
Share this @internewscast.com


PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) U.S. Marshals arrested two men in Portland on federal charges. The pair stand accused of trafficking humans, guns, and drugs as part of a Venezuelan gang.

As first reported by the Oregonian, Johan Carlos Mujica Urpin, 27, and Jose David Valencia De La Rosa, 27, were indicted in a federal racketeering case in the Southern District of New York.

It’s unclear how long the men resided in Portland, but federal court documents accuse Mujica Urpin and Valencia De La Rosa of committing crimes as part of the Anti-Tren gang (an offshoot of the Tren de Aragua) between 2022 and 2025.

“A transnational criminal gang that has terrorized people in their own country and here in America,” New York Mayor Eric Adams said during a press conference April 22.

Mayor Adams, NYPD leaders, and federal immigration officials announced the indictment of 27 alleged Venezuelan gang members one week before Mujica Urpin and Valencia De La Rosa faced a federal judge in Portland Monday.

“This investigation uncovered, and the indictments unsealed yesterday described a widespread violent network responsible for multiple shootings, home invasions, carjackings and sex trafficking,” Said New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “They targeted vulnerable women from Venezuela, forcing them into sex work and threatening to kill their families if they didn’t comply.”

“These are depraved criminals trafficking in people, in guns, in drugs and in fear and with absolutely no regard for human life,” Tisch added. 

The indictment claims Mujica Urpin, Valencia De La Rosa and more than half a dozen others, “were members and associates of the Anti-Tren Enterprise…almost exclusively comprised of former members and associates of the Venezuelan transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua or ‘TOA.’”

The document accuses members of the New York City and New Jersey based organization of participating, “in acts involving murder and assault, sex trafficking, human smuggling, trafficking of controlled substances, firearms trafficking, and robberies.”

Both men face charges including, drug trafficking conspiracy, alien importation and harboring for immoral purpose, as well as racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking conspiracy – both charges hold a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Mujica Urpin and Valencia De La Rosa plead not guilty to the charges. KOIN 6 News reached out to Federal Public Defense Attorney Clais Daniels-Edwards, who represented both men in court; she declined to speak about the case.

According to court records, the pair will be transported by US Marshals to New York.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Daytona Beach Police Report: 8-Year-Old Detained for Allegedly Brandishing Firearm in Park Incident

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Authorities in Daytona Beach took an 8-year-old boy…

Kansas Overturns Over 1,000 Transgender Residents’ Driver’s Licenses and Birth Certificates

On Thursday, a new Kansas law came into effect, which nullifies amendments…

Virginia Senate Moves to Eliminate Billion-Dollar Tax Break for Data Centers, Sparking Economic Debate

Virginia’s data centers could soon face new financial obligations, as recent developments…

Sweden Thwarts Potential Russian Drone Amid French Aircraft Carrier’s Arrival

STOCKHOLM – Swedish military forces have intercepted what they suspect to be…

FedEx Pledges to Pass On Trump Tariff Refunds to Customers, Boosting Consumer Confidence

NEW YORK – FedEx announced on Thursday its commitment to refund any…

Tusculum University Invites the Public to Explore the Future of AI at Upcoming Summit

Tusculum University is set to host the Appalachian AI Summit, inviting community…

Atlanta Hawks to Host Magic City Tribute Night Featuring Lemon Pepper Wings, T.I., and Exclusive Merchandise

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks are gearing up for an intriguing event…

Mexico’s Disappeared: A City’s Silent Protest and Families’ Fight Against Erasure

GUADALAJARA – In Mexico’s bustling second-largest city, the streets tell a poignant…