A suspected member of the violent Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) is facing federal charges after allegedly attacking two law enforcement officers during a traffic stop in Bellevue, Nebraska.
Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, 30, a Venezuelan national residing illegally in the United States, has been charged with attempted murder of a federal officer and assault of a federal officer resulting in bodily injury, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The incident unfolded on June 18 near Hurtado-Cariaco’s Sarpy County residence when special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI attempted to serve an active immigration-related warrant for his arrest.
Authorities say Hurtado-Cariaco was directed to pull his vehicle over and exit with his hands raised. As agents tried to place him in handcuffs, he allegedly became violent, dragging one of the agents to the ground. The agent struck her head and elbow on the pavement during the struggle.
Despite the efforts of a second agent to restrain him, prosecutors say Hurtado-Cariaco escalated the situation, placing the injured agent in a chokehold while ignoring commands to release her. The second agent applied a chokehold to stop the assault, prompting Hurtado-Cariaco to release the agent before breaking free and fleeing on foot.
Authorities quickly located Hurtado-Cariaco at his nearby apartment, where he was taken into custody. The injured agent was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
According to Homeland Security, Hurtado-Cariaco first entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 and was deported, but re-entered the country in 2024.
Hurtado-Cariaco remains in federal custody. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
