A 26-year-old man with suspected ties to a Venezuelan criminal gang has been arrested in Wisconsin for his involvement in a violent assault. Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate was apprehended by Prairie du Chien police after allegedly assaulting a woman and a juvenile. The police believe Zarate is linked to Tren de Aragua, a violent transnational organization.
Zarate is charged with multiple offenses, including second-degree sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic battery. The Prairie du Chien Police Department confirmed that the victims, who were known to Zarate, were injured during the attack. Authorities acted on a report of violence, leading to his arrest.
Tren de Aragua, the gang connected to Zarate, is involved in several criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and human smuggling. Law enforcement agencies in cities like Chicago, Miami, and Dallas have reported the gang’s presence, and the Department of Homeland Security has expressed concern about its growing influence in the U.S.
In addition to the charges in Prairie du Chien, Zarate had outstanding warrants in Dane County for previous crimes, including strangulation and false imprisonment. His arrest has raised alarms about the potential for transnational criminal organizations to infiltrate American communities, particularly smaller towns.
Zarate remains in custody while local and federal authorities continue to investigate his connections to Tren de Aragua and other criminal activities.
