The arrest of Leito Oficial, the Venezuelan TikToker known for his controversial videos that incited the invasion of property, has stirred up a range of opinions within the migrant community.
Leonel Moreno, also known as Official Bed on social media, has been taken into custody in the USA after posting a series of contentious videos where he encouraged migrants to carry out criminal activities such as breaking into homes and robbing establishments. The Venezuelan, who bragged about crossing 12 countries before reaching the USA, claimed to have found the ultimate “American dream” without having to work.
Leonel Moreno is a young Venezuelan who arrived in the USA in April 2022 and was participating in the Alternatives to Detention program. As of now, he is facing the prospect of deportation and a possible prison sentence of up to 10 years for instigating property invasion. His significant online following, with nearly 500 thousand TikTok followers and over 18 thousand on Instagram, allowed him to showcase his work-free lifestyle and encourage other migrants to emulate him.
The controversial content shared by Official Bed, which included criticism of the American labor system despite receiving social assistance, sparked a considerable backlash. His TikTok account has been suspended for promoting criminal behavior, and his failure to appear regularly before immigration authorities ultimately led to his arrest on March 29.
Although Moreno vowed to continue creating content on alternative platforms, his legal troubles have only worsened with his recent arrest. His situation serves as a cautionary tale for influencers and migrants alike, highlighting the consequences of promoting illegal activities online.