Editor’s Note: El Paso Matters is partnering with Gigafact to produce “fact briefs” that examine claims about issues shaping our community.
NO.
El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez stated Sept. 10, 2024, that her lawsuit seeking an injunction against the Gateway Hotel in Downtown El Paso, Texas, did not allege that it had been “taken over by any gang or group of individuals.”
The lawsuit was filed in August 2024 for lacking a valid certificate of occupancy, failing safety inspections and allowing criminal activity.
The El Paso Police Department reported three encounters at the hotel with suspected Tren de Aragua members based on tattoos associated with the Venezuelan gang between June and August 2024, court filings show.
El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks confirmed Sept. 18, 2024, that the lawsuit was “not based on gang activity” and that the crimes at the hotel were independent.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Sept. 16 there had been 20 arrests and many suspected TSA members “at or around” the Gateway Hotel in recent months.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
SOURCES:
State of Texas v. Gateway Hotel
El Paso County Attorney Statement
El Paso District Attorney Press Conference (01:55-03:25)
Gov. Abbott Border Security Announcement, Press Conference (07:58-08:26)
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