American schools face an unexpected threat as the Tren de Aragua gang recruits young Texas students into a shoplifting operation. Gang member Jorgenys Robertson Cova has been arrested multiple times but evaded serious consequences. Cova has been recruiting students from Jane Long Academy. Police state they have a difficult time dealing with the gang’s cross-border influence.
Tren de Aragua’s Encroachment
Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has extended its criminal network into the heart of Texas, exploiting American youth for illegal activities. Jorgenys Robertson Cova, a known gang member, crossed into the U.S. illegally two years ago and has been linked to attempts to recruit Houston middle school students. Schools like Jane Long Academy have become targets where vulnerable young minds are lured into a life of crime in exchange for fleeting promises of leniency.
Cova’s tactics have alarmed many, as former U.S. Marshal Robert Almonte points out the gang’s methods bear striking similarities to those used by Mexican cartels, which often involve persuading young people that the risks are minimal. Recognizing these vulnerabilities, authorities believe the gang offers false security to adolescents, making them important targets for gang recruitment.
Texas DPS said they arrested a Venezuelan man in Houston who they're calling a confirmed Tren de Aragua gang member. https://t.co/raIw5e3tZ2
— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) October 9, 2024
Trickery and Background of Jorgenys Robertson Cova
Cova’s background illustrates a career tinged with past criminal operations. After being caught crossing into the U.S. in 2022, he was placed under ICE’s watchful eye yet managed to evade full compliance. Following his entry, Cova led several theft operations from Arizona to metropolitan Texas cities, revealing a complex, mobile network. Despite multiple arrests for high-end store thefts, legal pitfalls have allowed him to evade lasting prosecution.
“That brings back memories of how the cartels like to operate and use school students to drive loaded vehicles across the border. And the reason they do that is they tell these juveniles “Look, you get caught but nothing is going to happen. You’re going get a slap on the wrist,’ which is pretty much true” said Almonte.
By integrating into local communities, the gang achieves a chillingly effective footprint across Houston. Cova’s history of theft in Venezuela is confirmed and, upon reaching the U.S., connections deepened his criminal affiliation. The Tren de Aragua membership can be identified through distinct tattoos, including a five-point crown and a prison-inspired clock, both of which Cova bears.
NEW: DPS Captures Tren de Aragua Gang Member in Houston
A confirmed Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang member is now in custody following his arrest on Monday, Oct. 7, by @TxDPS Special Agents in Houston.
Working in collaboration with the Houston Police Department and U.S. Immigration… pic.twitter.com/RqVhWdKvuj
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) October 8, 2024
Efforts and Future Measures
Tackling the gang’s reach, Texas officials have been proactive. Governor Greg Abbott identified Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, prompting statewide initiatives to allocate more resources to counteract their operations. This designation allows for stepped-up vigilance in gang-related activities and investigation measures.
“They’re looking for vulnerable young men and women looking to prove themselves to someone. I hate to say it, but it’s usually fatherless homes,” said one source
Coordination among the Houston Police, Texas DPS, and federal agencies aims to effectively curtail this expanding threat. By strengthening intelligence operations and focusing on creating an accessible gang member database, these organizations seek better control and intervention techniques, diminishing the Tren de Aragua threat systematically.
