A recent court filing by El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez has revealed that the Gateway Hotel in El Paso, Texas, has been overtaken by criminal activity, largely driven by the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The hotel has become a hotspot for increasing crime, with police reporting a surge in criminal incidents.
According to Sanchez, the Gateway Hotel has generated 693 police calls over the last two years. “The large volume of calls to a single business and the State’s analysis of police reports show habitual criminal activity at the Gateway that violates the [Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code (CPRC)], contributing to the overall blight this business brings to downtown El Paso,” she wrote.
Video footage from the hotel has shown people “partying” on the third floor, engaging in activities such as drinking, smoking, and dancing provocatively in the presence of children. There have also been reports of gunfire, weapons being used to threaten others, and violent incidents involving knives and a hatchet, all in front of a security guard.
The hotel has been operating without a certificate of occupancy since 2018 and has failed multiple inspections conducted by the El Paso Fire Department since July. Sanchez’s filing includes affidavits from two police officers who have frequently responded to incidents at the hotel. Officer Samuel Medina expressed concern over the growing presence of the Tren de Aragua gang, noting that several Venezuelan individuals staying at the hotel have gang-related tattoos. Officer Dionicio Alvarez added that the hotel management has done little to curb illegal activity, allowing the gang’s influence to spread.
Law enforcement sources informed the New York Post that El Paso has become a key waypoint for Tren de Aragua members after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. The gang has also been known to stay at a nearby Motel 6, which is frequently used by transnational criminal organizations for smuggling illegal aliens and drugs further into the U.S.
The court filing listed 53 violations of the CPRC between August 2022 and August 2024, including 20 instances of disorderly conduct, 10 aggravated assaults, 11 incidents related to controlled substances, and five cases of criminal trespass. Despite being aware of the criminal activity, Sanchez wrote that the hotel’s management has failed to take meaningful action to stop it.
On Monday, District Court Judge Maria Salas-Mendoza signed a 90-day injunction ordering the evacuation of the hotel by 10 a.m. Thursday. The injunction allows Fire Department and City code inspectors to inspect the property that same day, and law enforcement has been authorized to cut power and utilities to the building.
The hotel’s owners have been ordered to pay approximately $380 in court costs and a $10,000 bond within 45 days. They must also pay a $5,000 fine before being allowed to resume operations, pending resolution of the violations and passing inspections.