Ruben Salazar : “Five Individuals Charged in Assault on Paisas Gang Members”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Gang assault charges
2. Paisas gang members assault

The FBI’s six-month investigation led to the indictment of five men for assaulting new inmates at a federal processing center in Laredo, Texas. The men allegedly welcomed members of the Paisas gang with punches, kicks, and stabbings. Four victims were hospitalized with stab wounds and liver lacerations, while the others suffered bruises and bleeding. The facility is operated by a private contractor housing U.S. Marshals Service detainees. The accused face charges of conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon, and aiding and abetting. A U.S. Magistrate judge has scheduled a hearing for May 20 and arraignment for May 23, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000.

Assault at Laredo Detention Facility

Five men have been indicted by a federal grand jury following a six-month investigation by the FBI into an assault on newly arrived inmates at the Rio Grande Detention Center in Laredo, Texas. The men, identified as Ruben Salazar, Jose Regalado Solis, Javier Contreras, Ronaldo Otoniel Pena, and Jesus Guadalupe Ortega, are facing charges of conspiracy, aiding and abetting, assault with an improvised stabbing implement, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Details of the Assault

The incident occurred last August when eight self-professed members of the Paisas gang were welcomed to the facility by the accused. The victims were reportedly punched, kicked, and stabbed upon their arrival. Four of the victims sustained serious injuries, including stab wounds and liver lacerations, while the other four suffered bruises and bleeding.

The Rio Grande Detention Center is operated by a private contractor and houses detainees for the U.S. Marshals Service. The assault took place in the H1 block of the facility, where the new arrivals were reportedly attacked almost immediately after entering the building.

Alleged Perpetrators and Victims

According to court documents, the assailants identified one of the new arrivals as a member of the Paisas gang and instructed him to stay back while the other eight were taken to the showers. The victims were then attacked with an improvised stabbing tool, fists, and kicks, resulting in severe injuries for some of them.

It is not disclosed in the court documents whether the accused belonged to a rival gang or if the attack was premeditated. However, the seriousness of the charges indicates the gravity of the alleged offense.

Legal Proceedings

A U.S. Magistrate judge in Laredo has scheduled a hearing for May 20 to call material witnesses in the case. The accused will be arraigned on May 23 and face penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 if convicted. The investigation into the assault is ongoing, and more details may emerge as the case progresses.

Overall, the indictment of these five men highlights the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining order and safety in detention facilities. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks and dangers faced by both inmates and staff in such environments.