Violent Tren de Aragua gang takes over El Paso hotel: court filing

A court filing from El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez has revealed that an El Paso, Texas hotel has become overrun by the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, with police noting that there have been increasing criminal acts being reported at the hotel.

Sanchez wrote that in the last two years, the Gateway Hotel has seen 693 police calls. "The large volume of calls for service to a single business and State’s analysis of police reports show that the Gateway has habitual criminal activity that violates the [Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code (CPRC)], and additional crimes that contributes to the overall blight this business brings to downtown El Paso."

Video footage has captured people "partying" on the third floor of the hotel, "drinking, smoking and dancing provocatively while children are present." Also caught on camera has been at least one gun being shot, and another being used to threaten, as well as "men holding knives and another man with a hatchet assaulting people and causing damage to the hotel in front of a security guard."

Sanchez wrote that the business has been operating without a certificate of occupancy since late 2018, and has also failed three inspections conducted by the El Paso Fire Department since July.

The court filing notes two affidavits from police officers who responded to multitudes of incidents at the hotel, with officer Samuel Medina stating in his affidavit, "There should be concern due to the establishment and rise of the Venezuelan Criminal Organization 'Tren de Aragua' at Gateway Hotel. We discovered several Venezuelans have the tattoo identifiers of Tren de Aragua."

Officer Dionicio Alvarez wrote that management does not attempt "to control the conduct of the guests and is negligently allowing gang activity to infiltrate the area," and that the hotel has a reputation for "allowing illegal activity (consuming drugs, gang activity, illegal dumping) and known not to make necessary changes to prevent the illegal activities."

Law enforcement sources told the New York Post that El Paso is a known waypoint for members of the gang after they cross the border. Gag members have also been staying at a Motel 6 in the city, which is "notoriously used by transnational criminal organizations in the smuggling/harboring of illegal aliens and illegal drugs attempting to make it further into the United States."

The filing stated that there have been 53 CPRC violations between August 2022 and August 2024 including 20 instances of disorderly conduct, 10 instances of aggravated assault, 11 instances of the delivery, possession, or use of a controlled substance, and five instances of criminal trespass.

"Despite direct knowledge of the criminal activity occurring on the property, defendants have not made a reasonable attempt to abate the activity," Sanchez wrote.

According to KTSM, District Court Judge Maria Salas-Mendoza signed a 90-day injunction on Monday, with occupants of the building being given until 10 am on Thursday to vacate the premises. The order also states that Fire Department and City code enforcement inspectors be allowed to inspect the building anytime on Thursday, and that law enforcement must be given the ability to cut power and utilities to the building starting at 10 am that day.

The owners of the hotel must pay court costs of around $380 and a bond of $10,000 within 45 days of the order. The owners must also pay a fine of $5,000 before being able to resume business, after fixing the issues and passing an inspection.