Migrant Gun Runners: Alleged High-Ranking Street Gang Member Among Three Charged in Manhattan for Firearms Trafficking

Three Venezuelan Migrants Charged with 31-Count Gun Trafficking Indictment

Stefano Pachon, an alleged high-ranking member of the infamous Tren de Aragua gang, slumps as he waits to be indicted.

Photo by Dean Moses

Three Venezuelan migrants, including Pachon, Darwin Figuera, 34, and Yorman Serrano, 31, were charged on a 31-count gun trafficking indictment. The trio was arrested on January 15 for a conspiracy to sell and traffic illegal firearms, including ghost guns, rifles, and shotguns.

Ring-Leader Alleged to be Pachon

Pachon, 21, is suspected of being a ring-leader in Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization stemming from Venezuela connected to a Midtown crime wave. Law enforcement sources stated that all three men arrived in the United States between mid to late 2023 and have been arrested multiple times since then. Judge Althea Drysdale commented at their January 15 arraignment hearing that they appear to have been "busy."

Sales of Firearms

Pachon allegedly played the role of head honcho for the gun-running operation, orchestrating the selling and negotiating the prices of about 11 firearms. The sales occurred in multiple locations in the Bronx and at a gas station in East Harlem at East 125th Street and Second Avenue.

Arrest of Ringleader

The takedown of the gun-running operation was a result of a probe into Victor Parra, the ringleader of a cell phone snatching ring that made headlines last year after pedestrians were left injured in the scooter-bound snatch-and-grab attacks. After his arrest, evidence gathered in that case contributed to the takedown of the gun-running operation. Parra himself pleaded guilty to two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and will soon be sentenced to between 2 and 6 years in state prison.

Manhattan District Attorney’s Office Statement

"Selling illegal weapons in Manhattan is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The scourge of gun violence takes a devastating toll on our communities, and I have met with far too many heartbroken families who have lost a loved one because of illegal firearms," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.

Law Enforcement Sources

Law enforcement sources stated that buyers were allegedly lured in via WhatsApp messages, through which they would send photographs of the weapons and coordinate meetups. Some of the weapons sold include:

• Four 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistols, each equipped with ammunition magazines
• A Polymer80 9-millimeter semi-automatic ghost gun with a magazine with the capacity for 34 rounds
• Smith & Wesson .38 special caliber revolver
• 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun
• Smith & Wesson .40 caliber fully-automatic pistol with a magazine with a capacity of 15 rounds
• American Tactical 5.56×45 millimeter semi-automatic rifle equipped with ammunition magazines
• Radical 5.56×45 millimeter semi-automatic pistol with ammunition magazines
• Ruger semi-automatic pistol

Charges and Pleas

Pachon was charged with fourth-degree felony conspiracy, first-degree criminal sale of a firearm, and second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Serrano and Figuera were also hit with charges of fourth-degree conspiracy, first-degree criminal sale of a firearm, and weapons possession.

The defendants each pleaded not guilty. Judge Drysdale ordered Pachon held in custody without bail. The judge further ordered Serrano held on $75,000 bail or $200,000 bond, and Figuera held on $50,000 bail or $200,000 bond.

Conclusion

The takedown of the gun-running operation is a significant blow to the Tren de Aragua gang and a reminder of the importance of combating illegal firearms and gang violence in New York City.

FAQs

Q: Who were the three men charged in the gun-running operation?
A: Stefano Pachon, Darwin Figuera, and Yorman Serrano

Q: What was the extent of the gun-running operation?
A: The operation involved the sale of 11 firearms, including ghost guns, rifles, and shotguns.

Q: What was the alleged role of Stefano Pachon in the gun-running operation?
A: Pachon is suspected of being a ring-leader in the operation, orchestrating the selling and negotiating the prices of the firearms.

Q: What was the result of the takedown of the gun-running operation?
A: The takedown resulted in the arrest of the three men and the seizure of multiple firearms.