Notorious Venezuelan migrant who told other border crossers to squat in US homes 'used to be a SPY'
The notorious Venezuelan migrant who encouraged other border crossers to squat in US homes and collect benefits may have once been a spy.
Leonel Moreno was allegedly a sergeant of the Venezuelan general directorate of military intelligence prior to crossing in Eagle Pass, Texas on April 23, 2023, federal authorities told the New York Post.
They said they have been looking into Moreno's past since he was arrested in March, but are having difficulty finding any information about him, as the Venezuelan government has been uncooperative with US authorities.
One Border Patrol agent even told the Post they have 'no access to anything international.
'I wanted to get into Border Patrol and protect from terrorists,' the unidentified agent said. 'And it's like, well, I probably let terrorists into the country.'
Leonel Moreno, who gained notoriety over a video in which he encouraged migrants to squat at US homes, was allegedly a sergeant of Venezuelan general directorate of military intelligence
Moreno remains in custody at the Ceauga County Jail in Ohio, but is said to be having trouble coming up with the money to hire an attorney - prompting the judge overseeing his immigration case to continually delay his court appearance.
Meanwhile, the Geauga County sheriff said he Moreno is behaving while behind bars.
'I don't know of any problems that we've had with him,' Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand told the Post.
'He's in with the rest of the ICE inmates.'
The TikTok influencer gained notoriety in March after a video in which he advised his followers on how to 'invade' American homes and invoke squatter's rights went viral.
He claimed that under United States law, 'if a house is not inhabited, we can seize it'.
Moreno was referring to squatter's rights, or adverse possession laws - a common law principle that allows an illegal inhabitant to acquire ownership of a property based on continuous occupation without the legal owner's consent.
Moreno also posted videos encouraging migrants to take advantage of US benefits
Many Americans expressed outrage at Moreno's advice as the video went viral.
One X user claimed he was 'promoting terrorism' and asked: 'Where's the @FBI and @DHSgov to track down this guy and arrest him?
'Why do we even have laws in this country that allow illegals to come in and seize homes they don't own? Our country is getting taken over. And our government is letting it happen.'
It later emerged that Moreno travelled to the US with his wife and young daughter, who frequently features in his clips.
The family had reportedly been given $350 a week from the federal government, with Moreno at one point flashing $100 bills in a video encouraging other migrants to collect government handouts.
'I didn't cross the Rio Grande to work like a slave,' he said in the clip.
But those videos apparently enabled ICE to track Moreno down.
He had entered the country illegally with his wife and daughter in April 2023
He had been wanted by ICE officials, who said he enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program - which lets migrants on parole go free while officials track them until their next court date.
But Moreno didn't show up for his court date in Miami in November 2022, and was listed as an 'absconder' from the program.
Following his arrest, Moreno claimed he was a victim of persecution.
'I am in danger of death in the US! I need protection! I am being persecuted! My account has been blocked!' he told his followers in a video, as he visibly sobbed.
'My people, I need you to pay attention to what's happening because my family is on danger. They erased my TikTok accounts. I have received threats from powerful people. Help!'
In another video he added: 'My people, they have gotten what they wanted! The envy has reached my family! Everything that's happening is because of your evilness!
'They want to silence me!'
In another video from the Ohio prison, Moreno was heard complaining about his conviction.
'I came here to the United States because of persecution in my country...But they're doing the same thing to me in the United States-- persecuting me,' Moreno said.
'It's all misinformation in the media about me. They're defaming me, They're misrepresenting me in the news... I am a good father, a good son, a good person, humble, respectful to people who respect me.'
Moreno is now being held at the Ceauga County Jail in Ohio, where he may face additional charges for gun possession
But Moreno may now also be on the hook for gun charges, after he was seen in one of his videos brandishing a large firearm in a gun store and asking his followers which weapon they like best.
The video was flagged to Immigration and Customs Enforcement by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Sources told the Post the charges likely relate to violations of the Gun Control Act which prevents parolees from possessing, shipping, transporting or receiving firearms or ammunition.
Any possible further charges would 'escalate' the case against Moreno, former ICE field office director John Fabbricatore told the Post.
'Charges under [Gun Control Act section] 922.g are a serious matter and can result in significant legal consequences for Moreno.
'This should be a warning to any illegal aliens that possessing a firearm unlawfully will result in criminal charges and hopefully lead to a conviction,' Fabbricatore explained.
