Five Defendants Charged Following Investigations by the Nashville Homeland Security Task Force

NASHVILLE - Five defendants - including suspected associates of Tren De Aragua ("TdA") or "Anti-Tren," a splinter faction of TdA comprised of current and former members of TdA - have been charged with multiple felonies, including drug trafficking conspiracy, firearms trafficking conspiracy, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Since approximately September 2025, Nashville HSTF agents have been investigating Maikel Jesus Albornoz-Jimenez ("ALBORNOZ"), Eduard Jesus Velasquez-Matute ("VELASQUEZ"), Faren Aldahir Marquez-Cruz ("MARQUEZ"), Jose Luis Baza-Rodriguez, a/k/a "Yonce" ("BAZA"), Luis Manuel Tovar-Virguz ("TOVAR"), and others for trafficking in firearms and narcotics throughout the Middle District of Tennessee ("MDTN") and across the country. Over the course of the investigation, agents identified ALBORNOZ as a supplier of firearms and narcotics in the MDTN, as well as a facilitator of deals across the country, meaning that ALBORNOZ would often connect others with his co-conspirators located in other states that ALBORNOZ knew had firearms or narcotics available for sale. ALBORNOZ would often receive a kickback for facilitating the deal. VELASQUEZ and MARQUEZ were sources of supply for firearms sold by ALBORNOZ in the MDTN. Some of the firearms supplied by VELASQUEZ and MARQUEZ and sold by ALBORNOZ were previously reported stolen or associated with other acts of violence, including shootings. BAZA acted as a source of supply and facilitator of narcotics deals in Washington state, including on deals brokered by ALBORNOZ. And TOVAR engaged in trafficking methamphetamine with ALBORNOZ and supplied one firearm to ALBORNOZ for sale in the MDTN.

Charges against the Defendants

ALBORNOZ, BAZA, and TOVAR are charged with a drug trafficking conspiracy involving more than 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing cocaine, more than 50 grams or a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, and other controlled substances; ALBORNOZ, VELASQUEZ, and MARQUEZ are charged with a firearms trafficking conspiracy; and the defendants also face individual charges relating to using and carrying a firearm during an in relation to a drug trafficking crime, drug trafficking offenses, firearms trafficking offenses, and being an alien in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, the drug conspiracy charged in the Middle District of Tennessee involved approximately 112 grams of methamphetamine, 340 grams of MDMA and Ketamine, and 870 grams of cocaine. The charged gun trafficking conspiracy resulted in the seizure of 25 firearms, with several more firearms being seized in other jurisdictions as a result of gun deals brokered by ALBORNOZ. Of the 25 firearms seized in MDTN, 8 firearms were previously reported as stolen, and 2 have been tied to other crimes of violence based upon NIBIN results. Specifically, a Glock .40 caliber pistol has been preliminarily associated with a shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, that occurred on November 30, 2023. And a Canik 9x19mm pistol has been preliminarily associated with a shooting involving multiple victims in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 17, 2024.

Gang affiliations

Evidence recovered during this investigation has revealed that some defendants may be associates of Tren De Aragua ("TdA"), a trans-national criminal organization from Venezuela that was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States on or about February 20, 2025, and/or associates of a TdA splinter faction known as "Anti-Tren" - comprised of current and former members of TdA who are operating without or against the authority of TdA leadership in Venezuela. Members of TdA and Anti-Tren have been identified and arrested across the United States in other cases, including in Colorado, Tennessee, New York, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, Washington, Georgia, and elsewhere.

Members of TdA and Anti-Tren are known to engage in gun trafficking, drug trafficking - particularly in "Tusi," a drug made from various controlled substances including Ketamine and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("MDMA") - and to coordinate their criminal activities with each other across state lines, as was done in this case.

Additionally, in ALBORNOZ's Apple iCloud return, Agents observed a picture of ALBORNOZ wearing what appears to be a Fuerzas de Acciones Especiales de la Policía Nacional Bolivariana ("FAES") uniform. The FAES was a special action police force that acted in coordination with former Venezuelan President Maduro, the Colectivos, and TdA. The FAES conducted operations against the Venezuelan people who opposed the Venezuelan government and its illicit activities.

"The Homeland Security Task Force is the tip of the spear in law enforcement's efforts to stop Transnational Criminal Organizations like TdA, 'Anti-Tren,' and others from further victimizing our community," said United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek, "and HSTF-Nashville is the sharpest point in the country. Illegal firearms and narcotics trafficking like the activity charged in this indictment is dangerous, enables other violence, and puts Tennesseans at risk. Thanks to the cooperation of our partner law enforcement agencies, we have all the tools we need to put these illegal gun traffickers and drug traffickers out of business for good."

"The collaborative efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force are vital in disrupting dangerous criminal networks like Tren De Aragua and its factions," said Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Colin Jackson. "By combining resources and expertise, we continue to target drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and other threats to our communities. This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting the public and holding those who endanger our neighborhoods accountable."

"Gang members and violence, combined with firearms and drug trafficking, damage entire communities and pose a threat to public safety. The ATF along with our local, state, and federal partners will continue to dismantle these criminal networks through persistent investigation, collaboration, and enforcement in order to protect the safety and security of our citizens," said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives Special Agent in Charge Jamey VanVliet.

"This case highlights the power of partnership, combining federal, state, and local resources to fight against violent gangs and transnational criminal organizations that illegally traffic firearms and dangerous drugs across our borders," said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "The FBI is committed to working with our partners to stop threats before more lives are put at risk and ensure criminal organizations are held accountable."

"This investigation is about violent criminals who posed a real threat to Nashvillians and our city's neighborhoods," said Nashville Police Chief John Drake. "In fact, we know from ballistic testing that one of the guns seized was used in a September 17, 2024, shooting case on Mt. View Road in which two men were wounded. Our police department will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable those who choose to commit or promote violence in this city."

"IRS-CI special agents are proud to stand with our partners on the Nashville Homeland Security Task Force as we follow the financial trails that expose violent gangs, firearms traffickers, and narcotics networks operating across the country," said Donald "Trey" Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Charlotte Field Office. "By uncovering how these criminal organizations move and profit from illicit activity, we help dismantle the operations that threaten the safety of communities across the United States."

"Drugs and violence often go hand-in-hand, tearing families apart and destroying our communities," said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA's Louisville Field Division. "This case shows how effective law enforcement can be when agencies at every level work together; I'm very proud of the work being done by DEA and our partners on the Homeland Security Task Force to shut down criminal organizations and bring the bad actors to justice."

Defendants' Status to be in the United States

ALBORNOZ is a citizen of Venezuela who unlawfully entered, and admitted to illegally entering, the United States near El Paso at a time and place other than as designated by the DHS Secretary.

VELASQUEZ is a citizen of Venezuela who entered, and admitted to entering, the United States illegally on or about August 8, 2022, after crossing the Rio Grande River near Eagle Pass, Texas.

MARQUEZ is a Legal Permanent Resident originally from Honduras. On or about October 29, 2025, MARQUEZ received an Order of Deferral (Judicial Diversion) after pleading guilty to Felony Reckless Endangerment with an offense date of on or about January 9, 2025. MARQUEZ received a sentence of 18 months, beginning on October 29, 2025, and ending on April 29, 2027. As a condition of his judicial diversion, Marquez could not receive, possess, ship, or transport any firearms, ammunition, or weapons. During a search of Marquez's residence, law enforcement seized hundreds of rounds of ammunition, two loaded firearms, extended magazines, a drum magazine, and more than $7,000 cash.

BAZA was born in Venezuela and is presently a citizen of Colombia who has admitted to entering the United States illegally on or about July 31, 2023, near Tecate, California.

TOVAR is a citizen of Venezuela who arrived at the Brownsville, Texas, Port of Entry on or about September 27, 2023, without documents sufficient for lawful entry into the United States. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement recovered approximately $1,000 and drug paraphernalia. TOVAR has admitted to being in the United States illegally and to knowing that he cannot possess firearms.

These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

The Nashville HSTF comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), United States Marshals Service (USMS), United States Secret Service (USSS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other federal agencies, working in collaboration with our state and local partners, with the prosecutions being led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Risinger and DOJ Trial Attorney Katelan Doyle. AUSA Risinger is the Lead HSTF Attorney for the Nashville Homeland Security Task Force. Katelan Doyle is a trial attorney with Joint Task Force Vulcan.

A criminal Indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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