CCREDC
EL PASO, Tx. - A Lower Valley woman accuses an El Paso County Commissioner of getting into a verbal altercation with her near her Fabens home.
Fabens resident Rita Porter says confusion over what the men might have been doing in the canal near her home is what started the situation.
Porter says she saw Commissioner Luis Sarinana and some other men near a culvert in a canal owned by the El Paso County Water Improvement District.
She says she didn't know who they were or what they were up to and that's why she asked them who they were and what they were doing.
According to Porter, Sarinana's response included a few profanities and fewer answers; So she called the Sheriff's Office.
According to the incident report obtained by ABC-7, a Sheriff's Deputy's says Sarinana spoke rudely as soon as he got there. The deputy also reports smelling alcohol on Sarinana's breath and seeing empty beer bottles in the SUV the men were riding in.
Sheriff's deputies issued a ticket to Sarinana for Disorderly Conduct. None of the men were cited for public intoxication.
ABC-7 spoke with Porter Wednesday, who says she was just looking out for her safety and that of her daughter when she asked the men what they were doing. She says gang violence and international drug trafficking in their area has Fabens residents always on guard.
Ms. Porter adds, "I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything illegal going on...like they were tagging the bridge or making a drop-off...I can't afford that -- it's just me and my daughter."
Commissioner Sarinana was not available to talk to ABC-7, as his office said he was in Austin along with other local leaders working to lobby the legislature. Sarinana has denied the allegations in a published reports.
Sarinana's case will be going to go to trial in Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6; however a court date has not been set.
To view the documents, ticket, and Deputies statement in this case, click HERE or on the link provided.
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