Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang members arrested after Aurora, CO shooting were parolees of Biden-Harris admin

Four Venezuelan nationals who are members of the Tren de Aragua gang that were arrested in Colorado following a shooting near an apartment complex taken over by the gang were revealed to be immigrants who crossed the border illegally and were released into the US by the Biden-Harris administration. Two of the men were parolees of the Biden-Harris admin. 

An ICE spokesperson told Fox News that the Venezuelan gang members, aged 19 through 24, crossed the southern border into Texas illegally in 2022 and 2023 and are now in ICE custody. They are among at least 7.8 million illegal immigrants encountered at the southwest border during the Biden-Harris administration, per the outlet. 

Jhonnarty Dejesus Pacheco-Chirinos, Jhonardy Jose Pacheco-Chirinos, Nixon Jose Azuaje Perez, and Dixon Jose Azuaje Perez were arrested in connection following a shooting on July 28 near the Nome Street Apartments, one of the apartment buildings in Aurora, Colorado, which had been taken over by armed members of the Tren de Aragua gang.

Surveillance video from the apartment complex showing heavily armed members of the gang breaking down an apartment door went viral last week, however the video is disconnected from the shooting, per Fox News. 

"We can now confirm that [Jhonnarty Dejesus Pacheco-Chirinos] is a documented member of Tren de Aragua (TdA). He is the brother of Jhonardy Jose Pacheco-Chirinos, also known as 'Cookie' or 'Galleta,' Aurora Police said. "Additionally, two others who were arrested on that same day are suspected gang members."

"Their names are Dixon Azuaje-Perez, age 20, and Nixon Azuaje-Perez, age 19. Both were arrested for tampering with evidence in the July 28 shooting on Nome Street. These two have gang ties and are suspected to be members of TdA.”

ICE told the outlet that Jhonnardy Jose Pacheco-Chirinos was apprehended by Border Patrol in Del Rio sector on Oct 2, 2022, and was released into the US with a notice to appear. The New York Post reported that he is a “shot caller” of the gang, known as “Cookie.” According to Melugin, “He was terminated from ICE’s Supervision Appearance Program as an absconder when he failed to report to an ICE office.” Pacheco is facing many felony charges including assault with a deadly weapon.

Nixon Jose Azuaje Perez was apprehended by Border Patrol in Eagle Pass, TX on Aug. 22, 2023, was released into the US with a notice to appear and paroled into the country, but ICE has placed a detainer on him with local authorities.

Dixon Jose Azuaje Perez was also apprehended at the same time by Border Patrol, was given a notice to appear, and was released/paroled into the US and ICE also placed a detainer on him with local authorities.

The Tren de Aragua gang reportedly has approximately 5,000 members between Venezuela and the US and engages in human and drug trafficking. Aurora City Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky said in a statement to Fox News, "Thanks to the failure of the Biden administration to secure the border, the people of Aurora and other Americans have suffered at the hands of the Tren de Aragua gang."