The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed that it will hold 214 illegal immigrants on state riot charges related to an incident that occurred on March 21, 2024 near Gate 36 in El Paso, on the border with Mexico.
Illegal immigrants, including several Cubans, attempted to break the fence that marks the border with the aim of entering the United States illegally.
This group, which was already in federal custody for trespassing, now faces additional charges for state riot, a class B misdemeanor, the court said. statement.
The 214 individuals will remain detained until the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) can take charge of their situation.
Among those detained are adult men and women from several countries, including Cubaalong with Venezuela, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador.
In addition, nine people face charges of serious crimes of riot, disturbances, damage to property of others and assault on a public official.
Of them, seven – five Venezuelans, one Guatemalan and one Ecuadorian – are currently detained in the El Paso County Jail; and two Venezuelans are fugitives.
Those detained on charges of serious crime are Junior Evaristo Benitez-Martinez (21 years old, Venezuela); Keider Jose Zurita Aponte (21 years old, Venezuela); Gregori Jose Guilarte-Acosta (18 years old, Venezuela); Omar Alejandro Graterol Colmenares (27 years old, Venezuela); Joshua Fernando García Juárez (18 years old, Guatemala); Luis Jesús Chacón (27 years old, Venezuela); and Martin Elias Villasis Cedeno (46 years old, Ecuador).
Arrest warrants have been issued for Juan José Colorado Gutiérrez (34 years old, Venezuela); and Gabriel Enrique Angarita Carrasquero (22 years old, Venezuela).
The DPS statement comes after strong controversy and criticism of El Paso Judge Humberto Acosta for ordering the release of migrants involved in the March 21 riots.
