In April 2025, a multi-agency raid of a 5-year-old’s birthday party in Dripping Springs led to the detainment of more than 40 individuals who authorities alleged were involved with the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. One year later, county officials and authorities are asking for the proof.
At a press conference held by county officials and the Caldwell Hays Education Fund, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said that if someone commits a crime, they should be held accountable, and if someone is accused of a crime, there should be transparency for the public.
“We were told gang members were selling drugs, and for our safety, were taken off the streets,” Becerra said. “But, a year later, the facts tell a different story. Nearly 50 people were detained that day, including children. The claims by ICE agents that there were ties to international gangs was not mentioned in any warrants. The drug charges all cited in the press conference were all dropped, and, today, there is still no evidence that those claims were ever true.”
On April 2, 2025, The Texas Department of Public Safety stated in a press release that DPS, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and “several other federal, state and local partners” had been “investigating members and associates believed to be part of the Venezuelan transnational gang, Tren de Aragua” for over a year.
“In recent days, the FBI developed intelligence regarding a possible gathering of suspected TdA members or TdA associates in Hays Co,” DPS wrote in its statement issued last year.
“Early Tuesday morning, the Hays Co. Sheriff’s Office and DPS, working with the FBI, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement Removal Operations, established sufficient cause to obtain a search warrant for a residence in Hays Co., which was executed by DPS’ Special Response Team. As a result of this operation, more than 40 individuals, including minors, were taken into custody at or near the residence, and narcotics were seized.”
The press release stated that state and federal prosecutors would evaluate potential charges based on evidence obtained during the search warrant and subsequent investigation. The Daily Record reached out to DPS for any updates in the case but did not receive anything as of time of press.
Sam Benavides, with the Caldwell Hays Education Fund, talked about how news headlines and even Governor Gregg Abbott were claiming that there was a Tren de Aragua gang affiliation among those detained at the time of the raid.
“Governor Abbott also chimed in saying over 40 TdA vicious criminals are now behind bars and off our streets,” Benavides said. “This follows a pattern of Venezuelan immigrants being accused of gang membership … in fact, the only two felony charges that were brought against two individuals in this case were dismissed by the District Attorney’s office.”
Angie Unger, Democratic candidate for Hays County Pct. 4 Commissioner, questioned whether the detainments were done justly, saying that “transparency is not optional.”
