Venezuelan gang members arrested, released without bail in NYC

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Two alleged gang members associated with a Venezuelan criminal organization were arrested during a drug bust at a Queens auto repair shop, but were subsequently released without bail after prosecutors downgraded their charges.

The suspects, Jose Tamaronis-Caldera, 27, and Richard Garcia, 33, reportedly linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, were initially arrested on February 5 at V&R Auto and Collision in Woodside. The shop’s owner, Rafael Nieves, 54, was also apprehended during the operation.

The case took an unexpected turn when Queens prosecutors reduced the initial felony charges. The two migrants received a misdemeanor charge for possessing an air gun, enabling their release without bail requirements. Similarly, Nieves’s original drug and gun possession charges were reduced to lesser offenses that didn’t qualify for bail under New York’s reformed criminal justice laws.

Two illegals tied to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang were busted in a Queens drug and gun raid—only to be cut loose without bail after prosecutors downgraded their charges.

Jose Tamaronis-Caldera and Richard Garcia were initially hit with felony charges but walked free after… pic.twitter.com/DGCLvwd4RZ

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 19, 2025

A law enforcement insider expressed frustration with the outcome, stating, “These are not misguided individuals. They’re documented members of a known violent criminal enterprise, a gang who has planted their flag here by entrenching themselves in narcotics, gun and human trafficking — and the best we can do is let them out? If we did our jobs with criminals, we wouldn’t have ICE scouring our streets for detainees.”

Immigration records indicate both Tamaronis-Caldera and Garcia entered the United States illegally in 2023 and were released under President Biden’s border policies. Tamaronis-Caldera, who arrived with his family, informed immigration officials of plans to reside in Durham, North Carolina, while Garcia designated Savannah, Georgia as his intended destination. Immigration authorities have since placed a deportation hold on Garcia.

Prior to their arrest, both migrants were residing in New York City taxpayer-funded shelter hotels – Tamaronis-Caldera at Manhattan’s Roosevelt Hotel and Garcia at Queens’ Crowne Plaza.

Tren de Aragua gang members arrested in a felony drug raid given a sweetheart deal by Queens Prosecutors.
Jose Tamaronis -Caldera + Richard Garcia had their charges reduced to possession of an AIR GUN, which let them WALK without BAIL.

MAKE IT MAKE SENSE

— Concetta🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@concetta8631) February 19, 2025

During the February raid, authorities discovered a Glock handgun, substantial cocaine quantities, and over $3,100 in cash. All three suspects initially faced second-degree weapon possession and fifth-degree controlled substance possession charges.

Despite state bail reform laws allowing judges to set bail for gun charges based on factors like criminal history and reoffense risk, prosecutors filed a complaint charging the migrants only with possessing an imitation firearm. Nieves received reduced charges of fourth-degree weapons possession and seventh-degree drug possession, securing his release without bail under supervised conditions.

A Queens District Attorney’s Office representative explained their position: “The DA’s office reviews all evidence and charges as warranted. In this case, the weapon charged against defendant Nieves is for an unloaded firearm. Our office asked for supervised release and the judge granted supervised release. The charges against the other two defendants, Garcia and Tamaronis-Caldera, are for possession of an air-CO2 pistol and are not bail eligible.”