Illegal alien Tren de Aragua gang members convicted of murder in the Bronx

Four illegal aliens involved with the Tren de Aragua (TdA) terrorist organization have been convicted for the murders of two unarmed Americans residing in New York City. The violent foreign gang members shot and killed Claretha LaQuesha Daniels, 44, and Justin Lawless, 36, during a brutal residential street shooting in the Bronx. A third victim was also shot but survived.

The defendants each pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two counts of murder through the use of a firearm and one count of using a firearm in the furtherance of a crime of violence in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. This includes Keiber "Keybe" Jaen Martinez, Samuel "Klei/Kley" Gonzalez, Eferson "Jefferson" Morillo-Gomez, and Keineyer "Keiner" Ibarra-Mujica.

The incident occurred on May 24, 2024. The murders were planned, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The TdA members "agreed to kill Claretha LaQuesha Daneils and Justin Lawless in the vicinity of 2290 Davidson Avenue in the Bronx, New York...then aided and abetted, caused, and otherwise facilitated the shooting of Daniels, Lawless, and victim-3, which resulted in the deaths of Daniels and Lawless, and multiple non-fatal gunshot wounds to victim-3," the press release stated.


"Tren de Aragua is a terrorist organization with no place and no future in the United States, and this Department of Justice will not stop until we have rooted out, dismantled and destroyed them," said US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

The DOJ said that the Tren de Aragua gang members operated throughout New York City, including the boroughs of the Bronx and Queens. The purposes of TdA included, according to the federal agency, "preserving and protecting the power and territory of TdA and its members and associates through acts involving murder, assault, robbery, other acts of violence, and threats of violence, including acts of violence and threats of violence directed at former members and associates of TdA who associated with a splinter organization known as Anti-Tren."

Additionally, the group enriched itself through human smuggling, sex trafficking of young women, and drug trafficking, as well as armed robberies and carjackings, among other violent crimes and criminal conspiracies.

"I'm thankful that the victims and their families finally get the justice they deserve," said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin. "Tren de Aragua is one of the most vicious gangs on planet earth. They rape, maim, and murder for sport. Under President Trump's leadership, we are targeting and removing gang members from our communities and ensuring those that committed crimes in our country face justice."

A fifth co-defendant pleaded guilty last week to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in connection with his role in a September 30, 2024, NYC carjacking at gunpoint, among other crimes. Additionally, three other codefendants previously pleaded guilty to other offenses and have been sentenced. All eight TdA defendants have been convicted, the DOJ said.