Summary: Arizona authorities arrested 27-year-old Javier Enrique Erazo-Zuniga after investigators say he claimed part of Maricopa as his territory and threatened neighbors with a knife and a gun to extort money. Detectives recovered a firearm during a search of his bedroom, and a grand jury indicted him on counts including aggravated assault with a firearm, forgery and weapons misconduct. DPS has also described gang-assistance and terrorism allegations, and said additional charges—potentially federal—could follow. Investigators encourage any other victims to call the DPS tip line at 602-644-5805.
Arizona Man Charged After Allegedly Claiming Neighborhood, Threatening Residents at Knife and Gunpoint
Venezuelan national accused of claiming control over Arizona community, threatening residents: report
Arizona authorities say 27-year-old Javier Enrique Erazo-Zuniga has been arrested and faces multiple felony charges after allegedly asserting control over part of Maricopa and threatening residents with deadly weapons to extort money.
Investigation and Allegations
Investigators with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) opened an inquiry in December after receiving reports that Erazo-Zuniga was "claiming Hidden Valley in Maricopa as his territory and demanding money from victims," DPS spokesperson Bart Graves told local media. Authorities allege he is tied to a string of violent incidents directed at people at their homes.
According to DPS, in one 2024 incident Erazo-Zuniga put a victim in a headlock and held a knife to the person’s neck, causing a cut. In December, detectives say, he allegedly waited at the end of a driveway and held another resident at gunpoint.
Evidence and Charges
During a search of Erazo-Zuniga’s bedroom, detectives recovered a firearm they believe was used in the December gunpoint confrontation. He was booked into the Pinal County Jail on a $250,000 secured bond and was later indicted by a Pinal County grand jury.
Javier Enrique Erazo-Zuniga, a Venezuelan national, was arrested in Maricopa, Arizona, for allegedly extorting residents and claiming control over part of the community.(Reuters)
Court filings show the grand jury returned charges that include aggravated assault with a firearm, two counts of forgery and two counts of misconduct involving weapons (including possession of handguns while prohibited). Prosecutors say the aggravated assault count qualifies as a dangerous felony because it involved the use or threatened exhibition of a firearm.
DPS has also stated that Erazo-Zuniga faces allegations of assisting a criminal street gang and terrorism, though the terrorism and gang-related claims were described by the agency and are not detailed in the indictment documents released by the Pinal County Superior Court. Officials said additional state or federal charges could follow.
Courts, Victims and Tip Line
A minute entry filed in superior court shows Erazo-Zuniga is scheduled for arraignment on Friday. Graves said investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not come forward because they fear retaliation, and urged anyone with information to contact the DPS tip line at 602-644-5805.
Wider Context
The case comes amid heightened national scrutiny of Venezuelan criminal groups after high-profile investigations in Colorado in 2024 and 2025 involving alleged organized robberies, kidnappings, extortion and weapons offenses connected to the transnational gang Tren de Aragua. While some early reports of gang "takeovers" were later clarified, authorities have documented multiple violent incidents involving coordinated criminal activity and armed suspects.
Fox News Digital and local outlets reported on the arrest; Fox News Digital said it contacted the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security Investigations, the Pinal County Attorney’s Office and the FBI for comment.
Help us improve.
