Yerbin Benjamin Lozada Munoz, a suspected member of a Venezuelan gang, was arrested in New York City after being found squatting in a home filled with drugs and firearms. He admitted to serving time in prison in Venezuela for robbery and resisting arrest. Munoz was arrested again during a traffic stop in Nassau County, which honored an immigration detainer request made by ICE. Unlike New York City, Nassau County is not a sanctuary jurisdiction and local law enforcement agencies are able to cooperate with immigration authorities.
Munoz was initially arrested with several other Venezuelans who were squatting in a Bronx home and was released pending trial. One of the other suspects, Hector De Sousa Villalta, faces charges including attempted murder in connection with a separate incident in Yonkers, New York. Munoz illegally entered the U.S. in October 2022 and was arrested near Eagle Pass, Texas. He was released on parole due to overcrowding at an ICE detention facility but failed to report to the nearest ICE office within 60 days, violating the conditions of his parole.
On April 1, Munoz was arrested for fourth-degree grand larceny in Nassau County and ICE lodged a detainer request. Several other alleged squatters from the NYC home are in ICE custody pending deportation proceedings, while others remain in custody or have not been located. Immigration detainers have been lodged in their cases to ensure they do not escape deportation. Munoz’s case highlights the challenges faced by local law enforcement agencies in dealing with suspected gang members and individuals involved in criminal activities who are also undocumented immigrants.
The Tren de Aragua gang, of which Munoz admitted to being a member, has been implicated in various crimes committed by its members who have come to the United States. Munoz faces multiple charges, including possession of weapons, drugs, and ammunition. The cooperation between Nassau County and ICE in arresting Munoz highlights the importance of cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and immigration authorities to ensure that individuals involved in criminal activities, especially those with gang affiliations, are brought to justice and potentially deported.
The case of Munoz and his association with the Tren de Aragua gang raises concerns about the presence of gang members and criminals from other countries in the United States. The fact that Munoz was released pending trial after being arrested for squatting in a home filled with drugs and firearms underscores the need for stricter immigration policies and enforcement measures to prevent individuals with criminal histories from entering or remaining in the country. Despite the challenges posed by sanctuary policies in some jurisdictions, Nassau County’s cooperation with ICE in apprehending Munoz demonstrates a commitment to public safety and upholding the rule of law.
Efforts to address the issue of undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activities must involve a coordinated approach between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement agencies. The presence of suspected gang members like Munoz in the U.S., along with the challenges of dealing with overcrowded detention facilities and parole violations, highlights the complexity of the immigration system and the need for comprehensive reforms to ensure that individuals like Munoz are held accountable for their actions and prevented from engaging in further criminal activities. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of effective immigration enforcement to protect communities and uphold the integrity of the legal system.
