Authorities have arrested a confirmed Tren de Aragua gang member, after he allegedly recruited students from two Houston middle schools to join the Venezuelan gang.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Jorgenys Robertson Cova—an illegal alien from Venezuela—entered the United States two years ago.
Cova is suspected to have recruited students from Jane Long Academy and Las Americas—both of which are located in the Houston Independent School District. He was arrested last week after being wanted in Pearland for theft and was accused of recruiting the students.
The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed Cova was part of the Venezuelan gang after observing known tattoos related to the gang on his arms that included a five-point crown and a clock and roses. Other known tattoos include stars, Ak-47s, and trains.
Cova was scheduled for an asylum hearing in Houston on the same day he was taken into custody and booked into the Brazoria County Jail.
A Houston ISD spokesperson told Texas Scorecard that they have not been made aware of any activities related to the gang member, but will work with law enforcement to provide any information they need.
“At HISD, the safety and security of our students, staff, and community is a top priority. While we have not been made aware of any specific activities related to the recent reports concerning Jane Long Academy and Las Americas, we will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners and work diligently to ensure a safe learning environment.”
The gang has also been spotted in North Dallas, with Dallas Police officers confirming they have infiltrated the city. Members of the Tren De Aragua gang have congregated with other Venezuelans in the northern part of Dallas, nicknamed “Villa Dallas.” Since the gang’s arrival, the neighborhood has become riddled with illegal street racing, beatings, shootings, and extortion attempts.
Additionally, two weeks ago, law enforcement officials confirmed that a vacant San Antonio apartment complex had fallen under the control of the violent gang, which was using it as a base for criminal activity.
Currently, Gov. Greg Abbott’s Public Safety Office is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to identifying and arresting known or suspected members of the Venezuelan gang who have been involved in criminal activity in Texas.
Kinney County Attorney Brent Smith, located on the Texas-Mexico border, told Texas Scorecard that gang members attempting to recruit children must be found and deported.
“It is unfathomable that our children are now being targeted for recruitment into these violent criminal organizations. We are witnessing the impact that open borders has on every aspect of our lives and family,” said Smith, who has been raising alarms over the border crisis since 2021. “These criminals must be hunted down and uprooted from our state.”
“Welcome to the Democrat’s America,” he added.