A man suspected of being a member of the Tren de Aragua gang in Texas has been charged with murder and kidnapping.

A man suspected of being a member of the Tren de Aragua gang in Texas has been charged with murder and kidnapping.
A man suspected of being a member of the Tren de Aragua gang in Texas has been charged with murder and kidnapping.

A man accused of smuggling weapons for the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has been indicted for capital murder and aggravated kidnapping in Texas.

Gabriel Sira-Vargas, 29, is being held at the Bexar County Jail with a bail set at $2 million after the death of Alexis Jose Vegas, an 18-year-old who was found face down with multiple gunshot wounds in July on the side of a highway in San Antonio, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

In September, Planet Chronicle Digital reported that Sira-Vargas was previously held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is suspected of weapons trafficking in relation to Tren de Aragua.

Investigators reportedly were led to Sira-Vargas after looking into an alleged robbery.

Eiber Gabriel Sira-Vargas mugshot
Eiber Gabriel Sira-Vargas is now facing murder and kidnapping charges. (Bexar County Sheriff's Office)

According to the San Antonio Express-News, an unidentified man informed police that he was present at an apartment with Vegas and another person on July 1 when three armed suspects entered the premises.

The unidentified man and Vegas were zip-tied and forced into the back of a vehicle before being taken to a grassy area along U.S. 281, according to the newspaper.

At that location, Sira-Vargas and another gunman in the front passenger seat began shooting at the pair, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

The man, who was unidentified, claimed to have been injured but feigned death until the suspects departed the location.

Tren de Aragua gang members tattoos
These images from a CBP intelligence bulletin show tattoos and identifiers for Tren De Aragua. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of known or suspected TdA members.  (ICE)

The Tren de Aragua, or "train of Aragua," was traced back to the Tocoron prison in Venezuela's Aragua state between 2013 and 2015.

Peruvian police carry out the transfer of several members of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization in Lima on October 5, 2023.
Peruvian police carry out the transfer of several members of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization in Lima on Oct. 5, 2023.  (CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP via Getty Images)

Since at least 2021, Tren de Aragua has been operating in Texas, with gang affiliates being arrested for human trafficking. In September, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott designated TdA as a "foreign terrorist organization" and launched a statewide operation to aggressively target the gang.

by Greg Norman

us

Red state governor to display Trump's flag on Inauguration Day.

Red state governor to display Trump's flag on Inauguration Day.

us
Federal corruption charges filed against Oakland mayor.

Federal corruption charges filed against Oakland mayor.

us
Biden DOJ plea deal criticized by MS-13 victim's father.

Biden DOJ plea deal criticized by MS-13 victim's father.

us
A Texas cheerleader who was accused of poisoning her rival's show goat has been barred from caring for her own pets on her own.

A Texas cheerleader who was accused of poisoning her rival's show goat has been barred from caring for her own pets on her own.

us
In Texas, a driver involved in a migrant smuggling operation that resulted in the deaths of 53 individuals has pleaded guilty.

In Texas, a driver involved in a migrant smuggling operation that resulted in the deaths of 53 individuals has pleaded guilty.

us
During rush hour, a city bus narrowly avoids a disaster on an elevated overpass.

During rush hour, a city bus narrowly avoids a disaster on an elevated overpass.

us
Crime-ridden subways in NYC receive turnstile 'spikes' as Hochul increases police presence

Crime-ridden subways in NYC receive turnstile 'spikes' as Hochul increases police presence

us
As the LA wildfires rage, a water systems expert delivers a public message.

As the LA wildfires rage, a water systems expert delivers a public message.

us
A man previously charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, and now accused of a woman's disappearance and murder.

A man previously charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, and now accused of a woman's disappearance and murder.

us
A $2M California home that was saved from wildfires is now destroyed by a landslide.

A $2M California home that was saved from wildfires is now destroyed by a landslide.

us
The Orlando drone show crash was caused by a combination of errors that led to a misaligned flight path, according to the NTSB report.

The Orlando drone show crash was caused by a combination of errors that led to a misaligned flight path, according to the NTSB report.

us
Evacuations and Highway 1 shutdown prompted by fire at Central California power plant.

Evacuations and Highway 1 shutdown prompted by fire at Central California power plant.

us
Another arrest has been made in the Florida bowling alley shooting that left an off-duty ATF agent paralyzed: "Unjustified"

Another arrest has been made in the Florida bowling alley shooting that left an off-duty ATF agent paralyzed: "Unjustified"

us
Former director claims that Massachusetts migrants are using taxpayer-funded shelter beds without proper vetting.

Former director claims that Massachusetts migrants are using taxpayer-funded shelter beds without proper vetting.

us
A survivor of migrant sex trafficking shares her harrowing experience: "I witnessed the deaths of good people."

A survivor of migrant sex trafficking shares her harrowing experience: "I witnessed the deaths of good people."

us
State voter rolls removed from NJ watchdog official after residency dispute.

State voter rolls removed from NJ watchdog official after residency dispute.

us
Author and engineer husband unveiled for dual existence in abusive household

Author and engineer husband unveiled for dual existence in abusive household

us