The following press release was posted on the Prairie du Chien police department’s Facebook page:

Press Release

On Thursday, September 5, 2024, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Prairie du Chien Police Department responded to the 300 block of East Wells Street for a physical disturbance. Upon arrival, officers received information that a male suspect had been physically and sexually violent towards an adult female. A female juvenile was also located and found to have been injured during the physical altercation that took place. As a result of the investigation, the male suspect was arrested and taken to the Crawford County Jail.

The suspect was identified as, Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, 26 of Venezuela. He was booked into jail for Domestic Disorderly Conduct, two counts of Domestic Battery, Strangulation/Suffocation, Physical Abuse to a Child, Disorderly Conduct and two counts of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault. Coronel Zarate also had warrants through Dane County, WI for Strangulation/Suffocation, False Imprisonment, Battery, and Disorderly Conduct.

Additionally, Coronel Zarate is suspected of having an affiliation with a known violent transnational criminal organization known as “Tren de Aragua”, who are known for a variety of criminal activities, such as homicide, abduction, extortion, drug trafficking, arms/weapons trafficking, human smuggling, and human trafficking (according to the National Gang Intelligence Center & the Department of Homeland Security). The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was notified, and a detainer has been placed on Coronel Zarate, as he is not a U.S. Citizen.

“Mr. Coronel Zarate was brought to Prairie du Chien from the Dane County area. The victims in this case knew Mr. Coronel Zarate, this was not a random event. This incident highlights the need to be aware of the dangers that affiliates of these transnational criminal organizations pose to our communities. Violence towards others, no matter the circumstances, cannot be tolerated in our community. Our agency remains committed to holding violent actors accountable for their criminal offences.”

Kyle Teynor

Chief of Police