Executive Summary
- Hays County prosecutors have dropped the only two criminal cases stemming from a multi-agency raid initially targeting an alleged gang gathering.
- The district attorney’s office cited a complete lack of cooperation and evidence from federal agencies, including ICE, as the reason for the dismissal.
- No individuals were ever charged with gang-related crimes, and the two men who faced drug charges have since been deported.
- Advocates argue the raid lacked evidence and unfairly targeted individuals based on their national origin.
Prosecutors in Hays County, Texas, have dropped the only two state criminal cases that resulted from a multi-agency raid on an Airbnb in April, citing a lack of cooperation and evidence from federal law enforcement partners. The raid, initially described by authorities as an operation against the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, ultimately led to no gang-related charges being prosecuted.
Lack of Federal Cooperation
Hays County Assistant Criminal District Attorney Marc Ranc stated that the two felony drug possession cases were dismissed because Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) failed to respond to requests for evidence. “I didn’t get any of what I thought should have been given to me by the feds,” Ranc told the Texas Observer. “They never communicated with me. Nothing.” Ranc explained that without potential evidence like video footage or incident reports, he could not proceed with the prosecution while complying with Texas discovery laws.
Details of the Raid
The early morning raid on April 1 involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), ICE, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. While authorities arrested nearly 50 people, including 35 taken into custody by ICE for immigration violations, no evidence was publicly offered to substantiate the initial claims of a gang gathering. Federal court records indicate the immigration charges were not criminally prosecuted; instead, individuals were placed in civil detention and, in many cases, subsequently deported.
Charges and Accusations
The dropped state charges were against two Venezuelan nationals, Antonio Vizcaino González and Jeankey Jhonayker Castro Bravo, who were arrested during traffic stops near the Airbnb before the raid. Both men denied any gang affiliation. Advocacy groups have criticized the operation, with Andrew Case of LatinoJustice stating, “All the evidence we have seen suggests that this had nothing to do with gang enforcement.” The source material noted that advocates view the raid as an example of police accusing Venezuelans of gang ties under the Trump administration.
Case Outcome
With the dismissal of the only criminal charges, the multi-agency operation has concluded without any successful state prosecutions. Both defendants, Vizcaino González and Castro Bravo, have been deported. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.