South-Central El Paso bar closed after county attorney alleges habitual criminal activity
A South-Central El Paso bar, reputedly known for prostitution and as a Barrio Azteca hangout, was temporarily closed after county officials alleged habitual criminal activity was being committed at the establishment, including a murder, various assaults, drugs deals and alcohol being served to minors.
Cantina Cazadores, 3530 Durazno Ave., was temporarily closed after the El Paso County Attorney's Office obtained a temporary restraining order against the bar and its owner, Maria Velazquez, county officials said. Velazquez could not be reached for comment.
"We want to thank TABC, El Paso Police, and the Texas Anti-Gang Center for collaborating with us in our endeavor to curb criminal activity in El Paso's core region," El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal said in a statement. "This is another example of how the County Attorney’s Office Nuisance Abatement Team can collaborate with residents, law enforcement agencies, and business and property owners to reduce criminal behavior in their neighborhoods and solve community concerns using tools not accessible under criminal law."
The temporary restraining order was issued Thursday by 41st District Court Judge Annabel Perez.
According to an affidavit, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission officers alleged there was continuous criminal activity, including a failure to report police activity at the bar as required by the TABC, minors being allowed to drink, the sale of narcotics in the establishment and violent criminal activity.
The affidavit claims the bar was known for having “right now girls,” or women engaged in prostitution.
It also alleges the bar has a "reputation for allowing Barrio Azteca criminal street gang members and/or employees to sell narcotics."
The affidavit lists alleged criminal activities at the bar, including:
Twenty violations for failure to report a breach of the peace.
Four violations for sale of alcohol to an intoxicated person.
One violation for consumption and/or possession of alcohol by a minor.
Three violations for permitting the possession of narcotics.
Three violations for possession or delivery of a controlled substance, including the purchase of narcotics by undercover agents from an employee of Cazadores.
Two violations for unlawful carrying of a weapon.
One violation for murder.
Eight violations for aggravated assault, including a victim being stabbed multiple times.
Fifteen violations for disorderly conduct.
During their investigation, officers found 84 calls for law enforcement, fire or EMS services at Cantina Cazadores between January 2021 through December 2022.
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There were three violent aggravated assaults with deadly weapons reported at the bar in 2019.
In 2021, there were five aggravated assaults committed with deadly weapons and one murder reported at Cantina Cazadores, county officials said.
Cantina Cazadores had its liquor permit suspended for seven days after a fatal Oct. 15, 2021, shooting, the El Paso Times reported.
Daniel Torres, of La Union, New Mexico, was arrested in November 2021 on suspicion of murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Alfredo Morales, 28, El Paso Police Department officials said at the time of the arrest.
The shootings happened at about 12:20 a.m. Oct. 15, 2021, outside of Cazadores Cantina. The shooting happened after an altercation occurred as several men left the bar, police said.
Jorge J. Garcia Reyes, 36, and another person were leaving the bar when Garcia and Morales got into an argument, police said.
Morales allegedly took out a gun and shot Garcia once in the chest. Torres then allegedly shot Morales several times, killing him before leaving the scene, police said.
Last year, law enforcement received reports of six assaults, two crimes involving firearms, one case of a minor consuming alcohol, reports of overserved patrons, and evidence of drug deals, officials said.
Torres' case is pending in district court with a trial date set for April 21, court records show.
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According to the affidavit, the same person involved in the shooting was involved in an aggravated assault at the bar a month prior. The affidavit does not name who the person was.
The affidavit states that, despite the prior assault, Velazquez did not ban the person from coming back to the bar.
It also states security hired by Velazquez refused to provide information to law enforcement about the assault.
County officials alleged in their lawsuit against the bar that "although the habitual criminal conduct and other violations that occur at Cazadores have been brought to the owner’s attention, they have not taken meaningfulaction to stop the criminal activity at Cazadores or follow TABC rules."
The lawsuit also claims bar officials have "shown resistance to assist law enforcement to abate the nuisances and instead have employed staff that sells drugs and failed to provide diligent security."
The temporary restraining order remains in effect until Feb. 21 when a hearing will be held to determine if a temporary injunction will be issued to prevent the bar from opening until legal proceedings in the case are finished.
Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: South-Central bar closed after habitual criminal activity alleged
