Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 5, 2025
News Summary
Gleximar Zarraga Morales was arrested in Chattanooga after an investigation revealed her two young children suffered serious injuries due to improperly secured car seats during a crash. The incident raised alarm about child safety standards. Concurrently, Adelvis Rodriguez-Carmona, linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, was also arrested as part of broader human trafficking concerns in Tennessee. The TBI continues to address these pressing issues through operations aimed at combating trafficking and ensuring public safety.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
A Venezuelan woman, Gleximar Zarraga Morales, was arrested in Chattanooga on Saturday following an investigation into a car crash that resulted in serious injuries to her two young children. The incident, which occurred in August, has raised significant concerns regarding child safety and proper vehicle safety standards.
During the investigation of the crash, authorities discovered that Morales’s children, aged 3 and 4, were strapped into front-facing child safety seats that were not properly anchored and had loose belts. One child sustained an open ankle fracture, while the other was severely injured, requiring airlifting due to a possible broken neck and internal bleeding.
Morales communicated with law enforcement officials using a translator app and admitted to not following the instructional material for car seat installation. Furthermore, she identified herself with a Venezuelan ID and noted that she does not possess a driver’s license. As a result of the investigation, Morales was charged with driving without a license and two counts of reckless endangerment.
In a separate yet concurrent development, another individual, Adelvis Rodriguez-Carmona, a known member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, was also arrested in Chattanooga. This arrest is part of a wider concern regarding human trafficking operations within the state. Rodriguez-Carmona has a noted history of violent crimes in major cities including Chicago and New York City.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has issued warnings about the increasing presence of the Tren de Aragua gang across Tennessee, particularly in cities such as Knoxville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Nashville. Following Rodriguez-Carmona’s arrest, three women, who are believed to be victims of human trafficking, were also taken into custody. This operation exemplifies the TBI’s efforts to combat the rise of trafficking issues in the state.
Rodriguez-Carmona had previously been encountered by U.S. Border Patrol, which led to his placement into removal proceedings in July 2022. The TBI collaborated with local law enforcement agencies to execute the investigation culminating in Rodriguez-Carmona’s arrest, which occurred at a hotel where he was allegedly involved in illegal sex activities. Members of the Tren de Aragua gang are reported to have connections with Venezuelan prison systems, from which the gang originated.
In light of these events, authorities remain committed to preventing the Tren de Aragua gang from establishing a foothold within Tennessee. The investigations forming part of Operation Crime and Justice continue to address the troubling trafficking issues within the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gleximar Zarraga Morales?
Gleximar Zarraga Morales is a Venezuelan woman arrested in Chattanooga after her two children were injured in a car crash.
What happened to Morales’s children?
Morales’s two children, ages 3 and 4, were injured in a car crash; one child suffered an open ankle fracture, and the other was airlifted with a possible broken neck and internal bleeding.
What charges was Morales facing?
Morales was charged with driving without a license and two counts of reckless endangerment.
Who is Adelvis Rodriguez-Carmona?
Adelvis Rodriguez-Carmona is a known member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, arrested in connection with a human trafficking operation.
What efforts are being made to combat human trafficking in Tennessee?
The TBI has issued warnings about the gang’s increasing presence and is working on investigations like Operation Crime and Justice to address human trafficking issues in the state.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrested Individuals | Gleximar Zarraga Morales and Adelvis Rodriguez-Carmona |
| Crimes Committed | Reckless endangerment and human trafficking |
| Investigation Agency | Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) |
| Child Injury Details | Open ankle fracture; possible broken neck and internal bleeding |
| Gang Involvement | Tren de Aragua |
| Operation Name | Operation Crime and Justice |
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Additional Resources
- Fox17 News: Tren de Aragua Gang Member Arrested
- Wikipedia: Human Trafficking in Tennessee
- Newschannel 9: Chattanooga Arrest Highlights Link to Human Trafficking
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Safety
- WATE: Member of Venezuelan Gang Arrested
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
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