Mugshots have been released of seven migrants identified as ringleaders of a group who cut fences and razor wire and encouraged hundreds of people to rush the US border at El Paso, Texas, injuring National Guard troops, on March 21.
The migrants — in addition to two others who were processsed and released into the US by Border Patrol— are in custody facing felony rioting charges according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
They are joined by another 214 people who have been handed rioting charges in connection with the attempted incursion at Gate 36 along the border wall, which was caught on camera by The Post.
The group of alleged instigators includes Everisto Benitez Martinez, previously identified as the man charged with stomping on a guardsman’s knee repeatedly during the melee.
Junior Evaristo Benetiz Martinez The Texas Department of Public Safety
The chaotic border crush saw migrants rush and injure National Guard troops James Breeden for NY Post
Texas DPS was able to identify the group by scrutinizing The Post’s video of the altercation.
The state has issued warrants for the arrest of the two other migrant instigators, Venezuelan nationals Juan Jose Colorado Gutierrez, 34, and Gabriel Enrique Angarita Carrasquero, 22, who are both charged with who rioting, criminal mischief and assault public servant.
El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks told The Post Wednesday one of those accused perpetrators “was just picked up or is being picked up,” while ther other remains at large.
The seven migrants marked by authorities as alleged ringleaders of the March 21 riot on the border
The following are the names of the migrants in custody and the charges they currently face:
- Junior Evaristo Benitez-Martinez, 21, of Venezuela (rioting – felony, criminal mischief and assault public servant)
- Keider Jose Zurita Aponte, 21, of Venezuela (rioting – felony, criminal mischief and assault public servant)
- Gregori Jose Guilarte-Acosta, 18, of Venezuela (rioting – felony, criminal mischief and assault public servant)
- Omar Alejandro Graterol Colmenares, 27, Venezuela (rioting – felony, criminal mischief and assault public servant)
- Joshua Fernando Garcia Juarez, 18, of Guatemala (rioting – felony)
- Luis Jesus Chacon, 27, of Venezuela (rioting – felony)
- Martin Elias Villasis Cedeno, 46, of Ecuador (rioting – felony)
despite the rush the gates in the border wall were closed James Breeden for NY PostThe larger group of 214 who face lesser charges includes both men and women from Venezuela, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador.
They were originally placed in federal custody, then moved and rebooked into state custody on the rioting misdemeanor charges, DPS said.
“We are more than ready or will be more than ready to go to trial on the case whenever the court sets it for trial,” Hicks said.
“Riot cases are very easy to prove, we’re very confident in our evidence and we’re ready to move forward if any of them actually go to trial. Honestly I’d be surprised if they do.”
The maximum punishment for riot charges are 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. It is more likely the migrants will accept plea deals on the charges against them and after completing any time in custody will be handed over to federal authorities to be deported.
Soldiers and state troopers try to push back migrants with riot shields AFP via Getty Images
Texas authorities try to push a large group of migrants back to prevent them from entering El Paso James Breeden for NY Post
Migrants camp at the border, where Texas authorities try to keep them from crossing Omar Ornelas / USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK
Texas National Guard and state troopers stand guard at the border Omar Ornelas / USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORKHicks said the case is being scrutinized at the highest levels, adding: “The district attorney’s office [is] taking this very seriously and obviously the governor’s office is taking it very seriously.”
He also said the actions of the alleged rioters were very unusual for El Paso, which has been at the center of migrant crisis since 2022, with hundreds of thousands of migrants surrendering to border patrol.
“The situation that we had at Gate 36 is very unusual for us here in El Paso. We just don’t typically have that level of violence like that. El Paso for the most part is a very peaceful city,” added Hicks.
Texas has enhanced enforcement efforts at the El Paso border by deploying hundreds of troops, laying more razor wire and erecting many new fences to fortify the area where the riot occurred.
