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A Venezuelan illegal alien, and alleged leader of the violent Tren de Aragua gang, was arrested in Los Angeles last week, the Trump administration told Fox News on Monday.
Yonaiker Gallegos, who had been using the name Yoniaker(sic) Rafel Martinez-Ramos, was already in local custody in LA County on misdemeanor charges for blank checks and possession of a deceptive government ID.
He was located by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on April 22, according to a senior Trump administration official. Agents were able to determine that Martinez-Ramos was likely a fake identity after obtaining information about the items in his possession when he was arrested by local authorities.
He was arrested on April 25 for Title 8 (immigration) violations, according to the senior official, who also said he was “identified as a leader of TDA based in California.”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also confirmed Gallegos’ arrest.

Analysts with Homeland Security Investigations’ National Gang Unit were able to match tattoos on “Yoniaker Rafel Martinez-Ramos” to pictures on Yonaiker Gallegos’ social media, the senior official said. (Senior Trump administration official)
HSI Los Angeles coordinated with state and local authorities to take Gallegos into federal custody on immigration-related charges.