Alleged Tren de Aragua Leader Pleads Not Guilty to ATM Jackpotting Charges in Nebraska

Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, a 50-year-old Venezuelan national listed on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list, appeared in federal court in the District of Nebraska on Oct. 2 and pleaded not guilty following his apprehension. Canelon Aguirre, who was indicted in December 2025, is accused of leading a cyber-enabled ATM jackpotting conspiracy linked to the designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (TdA).

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Canelon Aguirre is alleged to be the developer of "Ploutus," a specialized malware used to force ATMs to dispense cash without debiting an account. The software included anti-analysis measures to prevent forensic detection and debugging, as well as functions to delete the files to conceal the attacks from financial institutions.

Following his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson, Canelon Aguirre was ordered to remain detained pending trial. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher and U.S. Magistrate Judge Ryan C. Carson are presiding over the case.

Federal prosecutors stated that the charges are part of a broader multi-agency investigation led by the Homeland Security Task Force, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, and Joint Task Force Vulcan. Investigators report that the ATM jackpotting conspiracy has targeted or carried out attacks in 47 states, Washington, D.C., and several foreign countries, generating illicit proceeds for TdA.

To date, 120 individuals have been charged in the District of Nebraska in connection with the scheme. Prior to his court appearance, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Canelon Aguirre on Sept. 30.

Authorities noted that Canelon Aguirre was the first cyber fugitive placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list upon his addition in March 2026. The Department of Justice emphasized that an indictment contains only allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

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