In reaction to the prosecution of immigrants involved in a large-scale border crossing in March, El Paso County Court Judge Ruben Morales, 7th judge, ordered 211 cases involving immigrants accused of rioting at border crossings. The individual lawsuit was dismissed. Morales said procedural errors in transferring the case from the local district court to county court meant he lacked jurisdiction and was obligated to dismiss the charges.
according to report by el paso times, Democratic Judge Morales wrote in court Wednesday, “If I lack jurisdiction, there is nothing I can do about these cases other than dismiss them.” The incident stems from an incident on March 21 near an area known as “Gate 36” in El Paso, where hundreds of migrants streamed past Texas Army National Guard troops. Several soldiers were injured when a large group of migrants broke through concertina wire and a “no-climb” fence in hopes of surrendering to Border Patrol agents.
This is the moment the Texas National Guard was overpowered by rioting migrants attempting to cross the border here in El Paso today.
We were there and saw everything happen. It’s absolute chaos here. pic.twitter.com/VN6Kf663ie
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) March 21, 2024
The immigrants will be released into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), where they will be processed for asylum or deportation. At a press conference Thursday, Republican District Attorney Bill Hicks told media representatives that he felt strongly that the proper procedures were followed and that his office intends to appeal Judge Morales’ ruling. . El Paso County Assistant District Attorney Kyle Lasley, who represented the state in the immigrant riot prosecution case, also disagreed with Morales’ dismissal of the case.
Hicks told a news conference that if the appeals court overturns Morales’ decision, arrest warrants will be issued for the immigrants released into the United States. Suspects who are deported will face charges upon re-entry.
BREAKING NEWS: There’s a riot here in El Paso.
Hundreds of migrants rushed through the border wall here after the Texas National Guard decided they had had enough of sending them back to Mexico.
thank you for being here @jamesbreeden pic.twitter.com/sY84y8QiYi
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) March 21, 2024
The ruling does not address the immigrants who were charged with more serious crimes in the case. Those cases still pending in court include seven immigrants currently in custody and two others who are not in custody and have outstanding arrest warrants. Immigrants facing more serious charges include:
- Junior Evaristo Benítez Martínez, 21, of Venezuela (Riot – Felony, Criminal Mischief, Assault on a Public Servant)
- Kayder Jose Zurita Aponte, 21, of Venezuela (Riot – Felony, Criminal Mischief, Assault on a Public Servant)
- Gregory Jose Guilarte Acosta, 18, of Venezuela (riot – felony, criminal mischief, assault of a public servant)
- Omar Alejandro Graterol Colmenares, 27, Venezuela (Riot – Felony, Criminal Mischief, Assault Public Servant)
- Joshua Fernando Garcia Juarez, 18, Guatemala (Riot – Felony)
- Luis Jesús Chacón, 27, Venezuela (Riot – Felony)
- Martín Elias Villasis Cedeno, 46, Ecuador (Riot – Felony)
The other two are wanted on felony riot charges and warrants have been issued.
- Juan Jose Colorado Gutierrez, 34 years old, from Venezuela (warrant issued: Riot – Felony, Criminal Mischief, Assault on a Public Official)
- Gabriel Enrique Angarita Carrasquero, 22, Venezuela (warrant issued: Riot – Felony, Criminal Mischief and Assault on a Public Official)
randy clark He is a 32-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol. Prior to his retirement, he served as Division Chief of Law Enforcement Operations and directed operations for nine Border Patrol stations within the Del Rio, Texas area. Follow him on Twitter @RandyClarkBBTX.
