Venezuelan Gang Members Sentenced for ATM Hacking Scheme

What happened: ATM hacking tied to Tren de Aragua

Carlos Javier Padron, 36, was sentenced on June 26, 2026, to 78 months in federal prison for his role in a scheme to hack ATMs across the United States. His co-defendant, Oddry Arnoldo Cabrera Torrealba, 37, received the same sentence on June 11, 2026. Both men are Venezuelan nationals who were in the US without legal status. A federal court also ordered them to jointly pay $1,537,696 in restitution to the banks they targeted.

The two men were part of a larger criminal network that used a type of malware (malicious software) called Ploutus. They physically installed this software on ATMs. Once activated, the malware forced the machines to spit out cash — a technique called "ATM jackpotting." The malware was also designed to erase itself, making it harder for banks to detect the attack. Padron and Torrealba were arrested by Lincoln, Nebraska police in October 2024 while carrying out one of these attacks. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank burglary and computer fraud.

Federal prosecutors say this scheme was not just about stealing money. Investigators linked the network to Tren de Aragua (TdA), a violent transnational criminal organization that started as a prison gang in Venezuela in the mid-2000s. U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods for the District of Nebraska called ATM jackpotting "TdA's business plan" and its main source of funding. That money, prosecutors say, goes toward drug trafficking, human trafficking, robbery, and murder. Since the arrests of Padron and Torrealba, 96 other people have been indicted in connection with this conspiracy. The investigation is being led by the FBI's Omaha Field Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with help from dozens of local and federal agencies across the country.

What this means for immigrants

This case is part of a broader federal effort called the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), created under Executive Order 14159. The task force focuses on identifying and removing what the government calls "violent criminal aliens." Cases like this one are being used to justify increased immigration enforcement. If you or someone you know is undocumented or has a pending immigration case, a criminal conviction — even a minor one — can have serious consequences, including removal proceedings (the formal legal process to deport someone from the US).

What to do

• If you are undocumented and have any contact with law enforcement, do not answer questions without speaking to a lawyer first. You have the right to remain silent.
• If you receive a notice to appear in immigration court (called an NTA, or Notice to Appear), do not ignore it. Missing your hearing can result in an automatic removal order.
• If you are detained by ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement), you may have the right to an immigration bond hearing. Lawyers recommend requesting this hearing as soon as possible.
• If you have a criminal record — even an old one — consult an immigration lawyer before traveling, renewing any status, or filing any immigration application. Criminal history can affect your eligibility for a green card, asylum, or other benefits.