Man suspected of being affiliated with Venezuelan gang arrested in Wisconsin on multiple charges
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WIs. (WFRV) – Authorities in western Wisconsin say they arrested a man that they suspect of being affiliated with a Venezuelan gang on Thursday afternoon for multiple domestic charges.
According to a release from the Prairie du Chien Police Department, officers responded around 12:30 p.m. to the 300 block of East Wells Street in Prairie du Chien for reports of a physical disturbance.
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Upon arrival, officials learned that a man had allegedly been physically and sexually violent towards an adult woman, and a juvenile girl was also found on the scene who appeared to be injured during the altercation.
The suspect, 26-year-old Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate from Venezuela, was arrested and taken to the Crawford County Jail on the following charges:
Domestic Disorderly Conduct
Two counts of Domestic Battery
Strangulation/Suffocation
Physical Abuse to a Child
Disorderly Conduct
Two counts of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault
Police say Coronel Zarate, at the time of his arrest, also had warrants through Dane County for charges of Strangulation/Suffocation, False Imprisonment, Battery, and Disorderly Conduct.
Officers add that they suspect Coronel Zarate of being affiliated with the violent transnational crime organization known as “Tren de Aragua.”
Officials report that the criminal group has become known for a variety of criminal activities including homicide, abduction, extortion, drug trafficking, arms/weapons trafficking, human smuggling, and human trafficking.
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The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was notified of this recent incident and a detainer was placed on Coronal Zarate as he is said to not be a citizen of the United States.
Mr. Coronel Zarate was brought to Prairie du Chien from the Dane County area. The victims in this case knew Mr. Coronel Zarate, this was not a random event. This incident highlights the need to be aware of the dangers that affiliates of these transnational criminal organizations pose to our communities. Violence towards others, no matter the circumstances, cannot be tolerated in our community. Our agency remains committed to holding violent actors accountable for their criminal offences.
Kyle Teynor, Prairie du Chien Police Department Chief of Police
There are no other details available on this incident at this time.
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