Special Report by Chris Hernandez & Martín Paredes
EL PASO, Tx., September 6, 2025: Yesterday community activist Max Grossman was arrested on a family violence charge. The morning of the arrest, Grossman had filed a civil lawsuit against his partner over child custody of their child. On the day of his arrest, the El Paso Herald Post also learned that Grossman had formed a political action committee. Here is what we know about the arrest, the civil child custody case and his new GPAC.
The Arrest
Grossman, an associate professor at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and longtime preservationist activist, was arrested yesterday morning on a charge of family violence. The arrest stems from an alleged incident on August 27. An indictment charging Grossman has not been filed as of yesterday, according to Grossman’s attorney.
In Texas, an arrest is made under the suspicion that a crime has been committed. However, it is the indictment, which has not been filed, that charges an individual with a crime.
El Paso Herald Post spoke to Brian Kennedy yesterday about the case. Kennedy represents Grossman in the criminal matter. Kennedy told us yesterday that the arrest stems from the custody dispute. Kennedy said that “this ridiculous charge is absolutely unfounded,” adding that “our concern is whether it is an action taken to pressure Mr. Grossman in a child custody case.”
The Child Custody Case
Court records show that on the day Grossman was arrested he had filed a child custody lawsuit against his partner, Gabriela Marcelo, over their child. According to the court filing, “no protective order,” or “order for emergency protection” existed at the time of the court filing that morning, suggesting that the child custody case had been filed before Grossman’s arrest.
Grossman’s court filing is requesting that the court order “joint managing conservators” of the child born last year. Grossman’s petition asks that the court give Grossman “the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child,” adding that the child’s primary residence “be restricted” to El Paso. Grossman is also asking the court to give him “the exclusive right to enroll the child in school.”
The El Paso Times reported yesterday that Grossman’s partner, Marcelo, had filed a protective order against Grossman on Thursday. According to the Times’ report, Marcelo’s filing on September 4, orders Grossman “to stop all communication” with her and that Grossman must remain 200 yards away from her and the children – his daughter and a stepchild. However, although the Times cites that it obtained a copy of the protective order, the El Paso Herald Post was unable to find any orders filed on September 4 against Grossman.
Kennedy told us yesterday that “we intend to completely clear his [Grossman] name.”
As news of Grossman’s arrest broke yesterday, we also learned that Grossman filed paperwork with the Texas Ethics Commission establishing a General-Purpose Committee (GPAC).
The General-Purpose Committee (GPAC)
Grossman is widely known as the leading voice opposing the City’s plan to build a Downtown arena in the Duranguito neighborhood. The activist sued the city in 2017 to stop the demolition of Duranguito. The lawsuit ended in 2023, after the city agreed not to build the center in the Duranguito footprint. In November 2024, voters formally revoked the 2012 Quality of Life bond authority that funded the controversial sports project.
The community activist later launched the El Paso Taxpayer Revolt Facebook page and website where he frequently writes about taxation, misuse of public funds, elected officials, the news media and other topics. Grossman provides detailed figures that are used by news media outlets in their reports.
According to information released by the Texas Ethics Commission yesterday, we learned that Grossman filed paperwork with the state agency establishing a General-Purpose Committee (GPAC).
According to the Texas Ethics Commission report of new PAC’s, Grossman filed on September 3, 2025, forming the El Paso Taxpayer Revolt PAC. Texas GPACs can raise and spend money to support political candidates or causes. They can also fund political advertising and provide advocacy as well as support voter drives and petitions.
According to the data released by the Texas Ethics Commission there are 38 PAC registered in El Paso as of yesterday, including Grossman’s PAC. One is inactive. Among the other El Paso PACs includes Beto O’Rourke’s PAC, Powered by People, which was recently sued by Greg Abbott alleging violations for helping Democrats during the quorum break to stop the Republican’s from redistricting congressional maps last month. The Republicans passed new congressional maps after the Democrats returned to Austin for the second special session called by Abbott.
No word yet from Grossman, who is listed as the GPAC’s treasurer on what his plans are for his recently created PAC.
Recently Grossman has posted commentary encouraging residents to consider recalling District 1 City Representative Alejandra Chávez. On August 30, Grossman cited the recall provisions required to recall the city representative. He noted that 20 percent of the voters from Chávez’s December 2024 runoff election – 1,572 valid signatures – would be required to trigger a recall vote. Grossman accusing Chávez of breaking campaign promises on property tax relief and aligning with major donors and former officials on frequent social media posts.
We reached out to Grossman asking about his GPAC. In an email response, Grossman wrote that he will “not comment” until after he finishes establishing his GPAC.
No word yet from UTEP about the arrest. No court date has been set for the civil or criminal cases.
El Paso Herald Post will continue to monitor this developing story, and we will update you on the latest as soon as new details become available.
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