Two men with ties to Venezuelan gang arrested in Portland on federal charges
Share and Follow


PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) U.S. Marshals arrested two men in Portland on federal charges. The pair stand accused of trafficking humans, guns, and drugs as part of a Venezuelan gang.

As first reported by the Oregonian, Johan Carlos Mujica Urpin, 27, and Jose David Valencia De La Rosa, 27, were indicted in a federal racketeering case in the Southern District of New York.

It’s unclear how long the men resided in Portland, but federal court documents accuse Mujica Urpin and Valencia De La Rosa of committing crimes as part of the Anti-Tren gang (an offshoot of the Tren de Aragua) between 2022 and 2025.

“A transnational criminal gang that has terrorized people in their own country and here in America,” New York Mayor Eric Adams said during a press conference April 22.

Mayor Adams, NYPD leaders, and federal immigration officials announced the indictment of 27 alleged Venezuelan gang members one week before Mujica Urpin and Valencia De La Rosa faced a federal judge in Portland Monday.

“This investigation uncovered, and the indictments unsealed yesterday described a widespread violent network responsible for multiple shootings, home invasions, carjackings and sex trafficking,” Said New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “They targeted vulnerable women from Venezuela, forcing them into sex work and threatening to kill their families if they didn’t comply.”

“These are depraved criminals trafficking in people, in guns, in drugs and in fear and with absolutely no regard for human life,” Tisch added. 

The indictment claims Mujica Urpin, Valencia De La Rosa and more than half a dozen others, “were members and associates of the Anti-Tren Enterprise…almost exclusively comprised of former members and associates of the Venezuelan transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua or ‘TOA.’”

The document accuses members of the New York City and New Jersey based organization of participating, “in acts involving murder and assault, sex trafficking, human smuggling, trafficking of controlled substances, firearms trafficking, and robberies.”

Both men face charges including, drug trafficking conspiracy, alien importation and harboring for immoral purpose, as well as racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking conspiracy – both charges hold a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Mujica Urpin and Valencia De La Rosa plead not guilty to the charges. KOIN 6 News reached out to Federal Public Defense Attorney Clais Daniels-Edwards, who represented both men in court; she declined to speak about the case.

According to court records, the pair will be transported by US Marshals to New York.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Dems' wins sets stage for Newsom vs. AOC in 2028: Stirewalt

Democratic Victories Hint at Potential 2028 Showdown: Newsom vs. AOC, Predicts Stirewalt

Chris Stirewalt has identified California Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez…
Cyclists survives 130-foot fall

Miraculous Survival: 77-Year-Old Cyclist Rescued After 130-Foot Ravine Plunge, Sustained by Red Wine

A 77-year-old cyclist is on the mend after a dramatic 130-foot fall…
‘Sex spies’ from China, Russia hit US to seduce and steal secrets with honeypot tactics, fmr operative warns

Beware the Honeypot: How Chinese and Russian ‘Sex Spies’ Target America to Steal Secrets

A former CIA operative has raised concerns about China and Russia deploying…
Juvenile parents arrested after Ohio newborn found buried

Ohio Teen Parents Arrested After Newborn Discovered Buried

In COLUMBUS, Ohio, law enforcement is currently probing the tragic discovery of…
Prince Harry denies claims he is trying to upstage William

Prince Harry Refutes Allegations of Attempting to Overshadow Prince William

Prince Harry has refuted claims that he intentionally attempted to upstage Prince…
California voters pass Newsom’s redistricting effort Proposition 50

Californians Approve Proposition 50: A Win for Newsom’s Redistricting Plan

California voters have given the green light to Proposition 50, as announced…
Statewide and Southeast Georgia 2025 Election | Results

Georgia 2025 Election Results: Key Outcomes and Insights from Statewide and Southeast Races

First Coast News is closely monitoring the final results of the November…
Did anybody win Friday's $680M Mega Millions jackpot?

Mega Millions Results: Find Out if the $800M Jackpot Has a New Winner!

Since its last win of $348 million in Virginia on June 27,…