SAN JUAN, PR—Special Agent in Charge Joseph González, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Juan Field Office, announced the arrest of Roberto Keniel De Leon Medina (DE LEON MEDINA) and Erick Zael Barriento (ZAEL BARRIENTO).

De Leon Medina and Zael Barriento were charged under a Complaint with violations of Title 18, United States Code Section 2119(1) – Carjacking—for two separate events, which took place on December 29, 2022, and January 2, 2023. In both carjacking incidents, the victims were Uber drivers.

On January 3rd, 2023, both defendants were taken into custody by Police of Puerto Rico Agents. De Leon Medina and Zael Barriento were arrested by FBI Special Agents on January 4, 2023. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Linet Suarez and is being investigated by the FBI San Juan Field Office’s Violent Crimes Squad.

The FBI would like to thank our colleagues at the Police of Puerto Rico Bureau, for their continuous support of the FBI mission and their assistance in this case.

Tips and information assist the FBI and its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Citizens with information are asked to contact the FBI San Juan Field Office at 787-987-6500, or to submit tips through the FBI’s Internet complaint portal at Tips.FBI.Gov Tipsters can remain anonymous.

The public is reminded a Complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty by a court of law. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.