Migrants accused of leading border riots in the US identified
Migrants of Venezuelan nationality led the riots that cut fences and barbed wire, as well as encouraged other people to cross the border.
Photographs have been made public of seven individuals identified as the leaders of the riots on the US border in El Paso, Texas, injuring National Guard troops on March 21.
Through videos of the altercation published by The Post, the Texas Department of Public Safety was able to identify the ringleaders of the altercation that cut fences and barbed wire, as well as encouraged hundreds of people to cross the border.
The group of alleged instigators includes seven (07) citizens of Venezuelan nationality, including Everristo Benítez Martínez, who was seen repeatedly stamping on the knee of a guard during the melee.
Additionally, the state has issued arrest warrants for the other two Venezuelan migrant instigators, identified as Juan José Colorado Gutiérrez, 34, and Gabriel Enrique Angarita Carrasquero, 22, who are charged with rioting, criminal conduct and assault on a public servant.
According to the district attorney, one of the accused perpetrators “has just been detained or is being detained,” while the other remains at large.
The seven migrants in custody are:
Junior Evaristo Benítez-Martínez, 21 years old, from Venezuela (riot – serious crime, criminal conduct and assault on a public servant)
Keider José Zurita Aponte, 21 years old, from Venezuela (riot – serious crime, criminal conduct and assault on a public servant)
Gregori José Guilarte-Acosta, 18 years old, from Venezuela (riot – serious crime, criminal conduct and assault on a public servant)
Omar Alejandro Graterol Colmenares, 27 years old, Venezuela (riot – serious crime, criminal conduct and assault on a public servant)
Joshua Fernando García Juárez, 18 years old, from Guatemala (riot – felony)
Luis Jesús Chacón, 27 years old, from Venezuela (riot – felony)
Martín Elías Villasis Cedeño, 46 years old, from Ecuador (riot – serious crime)
A larger group of 214 migrants face lesser charges and includes men and women from Venezuela, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador.
The maximum punishment for riot charges is 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. It is highly likely that defendants will accept plea deals on the charges against them and, after serving any time in custody, be deported.