A man believed to be involved with a Venezuelan criminal gang has been arrested in Wisconsin for allegedly assaulting a woman and a child. Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, 26, faces charges of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. The Prairie du Chien Police Department linked Zarate to the Tren de Aragua gang, a notorious criminal organization operating across the Americas.
Local police responded to a report of violence, where they found both a woman and a juvenile injured. Chief Kyle Teynor stated that Zarate was known to the victims, confirming this was not a random crime. The case has sparked concern over the rising threat posed by criminal gangs infiltrating smaller American communities.
Tren de Aragua, the gang associated with Zarate, has been linked to crimes like drug trafficking, extortion, and human smuggling. U.S. law enforcement agencies have reported the presence of Tren de Aragua in several major cities, including Chicago, Miami, and Atlanta. According to reports, the gang has targeted U.S. law enforcement, raising the stakes for local authorities.
Zarate’s past includes outstanding warrants in Dane County for prior violent offenses, adding to the seriousness of the charges he now faces. His arrest highlights the growing influence of transnational gangs in the United States and the danger they pose to local communities.
The investigation into Zarate’s activities is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the full scope of his criminal involvement.
