Venezuelan intel sergeant turned illegal TikTok influencer arrested in US for encouraging squatting, boasting wealth from govt benefits

Federal authorities are investigating Leonel Moreno, an illegal migrant TikTok influencer who urged others to squat in US homes and boasted about his wealth from government benefits, suspecting he was a sergeant in Venezuela’s military intelligence before entering the country illegally.

Leonel Moreno, the 27-year-old TikTok influencer who went viral for flaunting his financial gains from US government handouts, has been under scrutiny by federal authorities. According to a Homeland Security source, Moreno, who crossed the southern border illegally on April 23, 2022, into Eagle Pass, Texas, was a sergeant in Venezuela’s general directorate of military intelligence.

His illegal entry and subsequent behavior have raised serious concerns about border security and the potential threats posed by such individuals.

Moreno was initially apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in March for violating the terms of his probation. After crossing the US border, Moreno was released but failed to comply with required check-ins with ICE, leading to his arrest. Federal intelligence officers have since delved into Moreno’s background, uncovering his alleged ties to Venezuela’s military intelligence.

Border agents face significant difficulties in obtaining information from foreign countries, especially Venezuela, which is often uncooperative with US authorities. This lack of communication hampers efforts to identify potential threats and secure the border effectively.

“Knowing who these guys are, we have, like, no access to anything International. Like, we really don’t and it kind of sucks,” admitted one border agent. “I wanted to get into Border Patrol and protect from terrorists. And it’s like, well, I probably let terrorists in the country.”

Currently held at the Geauga County Jail in Ohio, Moreno awaits an appearance before an immigration judge. Financial constraints have delayed his ability to hire an attorney, prolonging his case. Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand reported that Moreno has not caused any issues while in custody.

“I don’t know of any problems that we’ve had with him. He’s in with the rest of the ICE inmates,” Hildenbrand said.

Prior to his arrest, Moreno used his social media platforms to encourage other migrants to enter the US illegally, promising financial benefits from government handouts. In one Instagram clip, he unabashedly waved around $100 bills, stating, “I didn’t cross the Rio Grande to work like a slave.”

Moreno claimed he had enough money to support himself, his wife, and their baby for 18 months without needing a job, further raising the ire of authorities and the public alike.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has also been investigating Moreno for potential gun charges, as he was seen in past social media posts holding firearms at a gun store, according to internal federal documents.

From jail, Moreno has vehemently claimed he is a victim of unjust persecution. “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,” he lamented. “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 husband, a good son, a good person, humble, respectful to people who respect me.”

Leonel Moreno’s case continues to unfold, shedding light on the complexities and challenges of border security, the influence of social media on illegal migration, and the broader implications for national safety.