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.