Venezuelan woman arrested in U.S. for aiding fugitive gang members

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have arrested Giovanna Mercedes Moreno Occhipinti, a Venezuelan-Italian citizen, accused of facilitating the escape of two alleged members of the Tren de Aragua criminal group. The escape occurred after a shooting in Chicago in December 2024 that resulted in three deaths.

According to the DHS, Moreno Occhipinti drove the vehicle carrying Ricardo Granadillo Padilla, 24, and Edward Martínez Cermeño, 25. These individuals are accused of carrying out the armed attack that injured several people. Shortly after the incident, Chicago police inspected the woman's car and found multiple firearms. She was arrested on December 5, 2024, for weapons-related offenses.

However, Cook County prosecutors decided not to proceed with formal charges, leading to her release without local authorities informing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The legal situation changed when Homeland Security Investigations agents reopened the case federally, apprehending Moreno Occhipinti on May 13. Acting Deputy Secretary Lauren Bis confirmed that the detainee had been working as a teacher in Illinois despite her undocumented status.

Immigration records indicate Moreno Occhipinti entered the U.S. in October 2021 through the Visa Waiver Program, using her Italian nationality. She was required to leave by January 2022 but failed to do so. The DHS report also stated that border control agencies had previously arrested and deported the two alleged shooters linked to the criminal organization.

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The detained woman was working as a teacher in the state of Illinois despite her undocumented status.