As part of an operation to dismantle the activities of the Chuco Tango gang – a prison crime group operating on the streets – a student under the age of 18 carrying a submachine gun was arrested.
The detainee, identified as Juan Moreno, was released on strict conditions after being arrested for illegal possession of a submachine gun, causing great concern in his community. The judge handling the case, recognizing the seriousness of the situation, imposed a series of precautions to ensure that the defendant did not pose a danger while awaiting trial.
The conditions imposed by the judge include living in his mother's home, actively seeking employment, an absolute prohibition on possessing firearms or ammunition, not consuming alcohol, regular drug testing and appropriate treatment, and mental health evaluation and treatment.
Moreno must also comply with a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, wear a GPS ankle monitor, and is prohibited from traveling only within Doña Ana and El Paso counties.
“Absolutely no possession of any type of firearm,” Judge Torres sternly reminded him during the hearing, underlining the importance of complying with all restrictions.
A seemingly normal life
Moreno, who until his arrest had led a normal life as a student, shocked many when he was found in possession of a submachine gun.
Friends and family described him as a quiet young man, dedicated to his studies, but authorities feared the situation was more complex than it appeared.
Juan Moreno's case comes amid a broader investigation into drug trafficking in the region, although he has not been directly linked to any cartels or gangs. However, the circumstances surrounding it have raised concerns about the potential access of students and young people to high-caliber weapons and the implications for public safety.
Parallel in the area
Moreno’s arrest was not an isolated incident. In a separate trial, Daniel Baeza, aka “Raccoon,” was accused of selling 90 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential FBI informant after arranging a meeting through text messages and phone calls. Baeza, who was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, denies any involvement in gang activity, according to his attorney, Robert Ramos.
Unlike Moreno, Baeza is a U.S. citizen who lives in Las Cruces, works in landscape maintenance and has no criminal record.
Despite these differences, both cases highlight growing concerns about the spread of drugs and weapons in the region, which is impacting young students and low-income communities.