Southwest
Dozens arrested in major border state bust targeting bloodthirsty Venezuelan gang
Over 40 people with suspected ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua were arrested by law enforcement in Hays County, Texas, on Tuesday morning, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced.
“In recent days, [FBI San Antonio] developed intelligence regarding a possible gathering of suspected members or associates of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) in Hays Co. Early Tuesday morning, a search warrant was executed by [Texas Department of Public Safety’s] Special Response Team at a residence in the area — resulting in more than 40 arrests,” Texas DPS posted to X.
“For more than a year, law enforcement — including DPS, FBI, federal, state and local partners — have been investigating suspected TdA members, and Tuesday’s operation is a result of this collaborative effort to make Texas communities safer,” the agency continued.
Charges from Texas and the U.S. government have not been announced yet, as they are still “currently under investigation.” They noted that minors were also taken into custody and there were drug seizures as a result of the search warrant executed.
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Over 40 people with suspected ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua were arrested by law enforcement in Hays County, Texas. (Salvadoran Government via Getty Images)
The arrests were met with praise from some Texas officials.
“Well done warriors! Federal anti-gang task forces work. Several weeks ago I led a roundtable where we discussed exactly this!” Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, posted on X.
“Right in your backyard. [Texas DPS] is proud to work with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to keep Texans safe and combat TdA,” Texas DPS press secretary Sheridan Nolen tweeted.
EXCLUSIVE: GOP MOVES TO AUTHORIZE TRUMP TO WAGE WAR ON CARTELS THROUGH MILITARY FORCE
The arrests were met with praise from some Texas officials. (Twitter/Greg Abbott)
The gang was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration, and since then there have been major efforts underway to place suspected members into custody. Many suspected members have been transported to a prison in El Salvador, including 17 who were being held at Guantanamo Bay early this week.
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“In order to keep the American people safe, @POTUS designated the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” Rubio posted to X last week. “These criminals will no longer terrorize our communities and citizens.”
EXCLUSIVE: EMERGING GOP LEADER BACKING TRUMP’S USE OF ALIEN ENEMIES ACT AT SUPREME COURT
The gang was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration, and since then there have been major efforts to place suspected members into custody. (Justice Department)
There is an ongoing federal court battle between the Trump administration and U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg over using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for some removals. In the case of the 17, it was conducted under Title 8, the White House told Fox News last week.
Fox News’ Stephen Sorace and Bill Melugin contributed to this report.
Read the full article from Here
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]
Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
Los Angeles, Ca
Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food
Cleanup efforts are underway Thursday at the Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse that burned for eight days after firefighters officially declared the massive blaze knocked down Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews remain at the Lineage warehouse near Union Pacific Avenue and South La Puente Street as they transition into the overhaul phase, searching for […]
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