In a shocking turn of events earlier this month, two suspected members of the violent criminal gang Tren de Aragua, believed to be operating out of New York City migrant shelters, were arrested in a gun and drug raid. However, despite their dangerous affiliations, reports indicate they are facing surprisingly light charges, potentially allowing them to walk free with no prosecution.
On February 5, Jose Tamaronis-Caldera, 27, and Richard Garcia, 33, were arrested after a raid at an auto shop in Queens, where authorities uncovered firearms, imitation weapons, and substantial quantities of drugs. The two suspects are believed to have ties to Tren de Aragua, a notorious gang responsible for a range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, and organized violence. However, the New York Police Department could not confirm their membership in the gang, leaving many to question the thoroughness of the investigation.
Alongside Tamaronis-Caldera and Garcia, the owner of the auto shop, Rafael Nieves, 54, was also arrested. All three were initially facing serious felony charges, including gun and drug possession. But when the case was presented in court, reports suggest that Tamaronis-Caldera and Garcia were slapped with much lighter charges—both were charged with misdemeanor offenses for possessing an air pistol and an imitation firearm. These charges allowed them to walk free without bail.
What’s even more concerning is that under the judge’s ruling, if Tamaronis-Caldera and Garcia don’t commit any further crimes by August, their charges will likely be dismissed under an “adjournment in contemplation of dismissal” (ACD), a provision that essentially means no prosecution will follow. Meanwhile, Nieves had his charges reduced as well, now facing charges for criminal possession of a firearm and imitation handgun, as well as possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office defended its actions, claiming, *“The DA’s office reviews all evidence and charges as warranted.”* But critics of the ruling are furious, noting that the charges fail to reflect the severity of the suspects’ criminal connections. A law enforcement official expressed frustration to the *New York Post*, saying, *“These are not misguided individuals. They’re documented members of a known violent criminal enterprise.”* The source added, *“If we did our jobs with criminals, we wouldn’t have ICE scouring our streets for detainees.”*
In an even more disturbing twist, it was revealed that Tamaronis-Caldera and Nieves were living at the Crowne Plaza JFK Airport hotel, which was converted into a migrant shelter. Garcia was staying at the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan, another migrant shelter. These shelters, which have become a focal point for New York City’s migrant crisis, have raised suspicions about the potential for criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua to exploit the system.
The situation has also caught the attention of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who recently celebrated the clawing back of millions in federal funds given to New York City for migrant shelters. *“FEMA was funding the Roosevelt Hotel that serves as a Tren de Aragua base of operations,”* Noem wrote on X. *“Mark my words: there will not be a single penny spent that goes against the interest and safety of the American people.”*
The light charges against Tamaronis-Caldera and Garcia have left many questioning the priorities of New York’s criminal justice system. While these dangerous gang members remain free, it’s clear that something needs to change in how we handle violent criminal enterprises infiltrating our communities—especially when taxpayer dollars are being funneled into shelters that may be harboring them.
