A multi-agency federal operation in Dripping Springs on April 1 led to the arrest of 47 individuals — including nine minors — who federal authorities say have ties to the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA). The raid, led by the FBI with assistance from ICE, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and other agencies, also resulted in the seizure of narcotics. But the aftermath of the operation has focused less on the suspects and more on the response — particularly from Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra and how he publicly framed the role of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.
A Federal Operation, a Local Presence
According to a DPS press release, the operation was the result of more than a year of investigation into TdA. Recent FBI intelligence pointed to a gathering of suspects in Hays County. Federal, state, and local agencies established probable cause for a search warrant, which was executed by DPS’s Special Response Team per a DPS Press Release, April 2, 2025.
ICE later confirmed the number and classification of individuals taken into custody: 25 adult males, 9 single adult females, and 4 female heads of household with nine children. All were determined to be unlawfully present in the United States. ICE also confirmed that narcotics were recovered during the operation per Becerra Facebook Post, April 3, 2025.
The Hays County Sheriff’s Office was listed among the agencies involved in planning, but not in execution. HCSO have since clarified that the Sheriff’s Office provided only a liaison officer — not tactical or enforcement personnel — and played no role in arrests or operational decisions.
Judge Becerra’s Contradictory Messaging
In an April 3 public statement, Judge Becerra confirmed these facts:
“The incident in Dripping Springs is not being investigated by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. This is a federal criminal investigation being handled solely by the FBI… The Sheriff’s Office provided a liaison on scene to assist if needed, but no local law enforcement agency in Hays County is involved in the investigation” Becerra Statement, April 3, 2025.
Despite this admission, Becerra’s tone quickly shifted in public interviews. Speaking with CBS Austin on April 3, 2025, Becerra claimed he had been “blindsided” by the operation and knew “nothing about none of it.” He said the secrecy “caused chaos” and “fear and confusion” in the community he serves.
While it is common for federal agencies to withhold notice of active criminal operations to preserve security, Becerra framed his lack of awareness as a public failure. But as a county judge — an administrative role in Texas — Becerra has no legal authority to oversee law enforcement operations or require advance notice from federal or local agencies. His complaint may have had more political impact than procedural significance.
Clarification from the Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Anthony Hipolito responded swiftly. On April 3, he posted a statement reaffirming that his agency did not participate in the raid, nor did it assist in arrests.
We will work with and assist every law enforcement agency in the country when it pertains to criminal investigations. Especially if the crimes are happening in Hays County.
We have a duty to protect, a duty to keep our citizens safe, and a duty to uphold the Constitution.
If you are ok with Venezuelan gang members committing crimes in Hays County, I can not help you. It will not be tolerated here whether you are a legal resident or not.
The Hays County Sheriff’s Office will do what we can to ensure the safety of everyone in Hays County. I was elected to keep Hays County one of the safest counties in America and that is what we will fight everyday to do.
I am proud that we were able to play a role in this investigation. Many really bad criminals were taken off our streets. Hays County is a safer place.
The role, per a April 4, 2025 press release was a liaison:
On or about April 1st 2025 the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) carried out an investigation in the Dripping Springs area; the Hays County Sheriff’s Office provided a liaison (Point of Contact) to the state and federal agencies that carried out the culmination of that criminal investigation. It is customary, although not required, that when a law enforcement agency conducts a criminal investigation that leads to another agency’s jurisdiction, the local agency is notified. The Hays County liaison would have played a crucial role in providing the Hays County Sheriff’s Office vital information if the operation led to an emergency response. The Hays County Sheriff’s Office liaison was present during the operation. However, the liaison was not involved in the decision-making process for any enforcement action.
It is important to emphasize the fact this was a large-scale multi-jurisdictional criminal investigation, hence the decision for the Hays County Sheriff’s Office to assign a liaison to the criminal enforcement operation.
The Sheriff’s Office had previously stated in a February 3 email to The University Star that it “does not engage in immigration enforcement actions such as raids or mass arrests,” affirming that such activities fall under federal jurisdiction. That position appears consistent with HCSO’s post-raid account.
Political Reactions Across the Spectrum
State and federal officials have responded along party lines. Governor Greg Abbott praised the operation on X:
“Over 40 criminals are now behind bars. Tren de Aragua tried to set up in Texas, but we won’t let this gang take root here.”
Congressman Chip Roy (R-Austin), to CBS Austin, described the home as a stash house and expressed concern over the minors removed from the property. “This should be a wake-up call if you live in Hays County,” Roy said.
By contrast, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin), to CBS Austin, questioned whether the arrests were politically motivated and called for more documentation. “We need to be sure we’re deporting people that pose a danger — not just because President Trump wants to increase the body count of deportations,” Doggett said.
Advocacy Group Fuels Early Criticism
Progressive nonprofit Mano Amiga quickly condemned the raid, raising concerns about “due process, transparency and the human impact of large-scale enforcement operations.” In a statement, the group said:
“These moments don’t just traumatize individual children — they shape an entire generation’s relationship with the institutions around them”
Mano Amiga’s criticism circulated widely before the Sheriff’s Office issued its formal clarification, echoing and amplifying concerns already floated by Judge Becerra.
FBI: Thanks, But No Details
The FBI acknowledged that “more than 40 people were taken into custody” during the operation and publicly thanked “ICE, Texas DPS, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement partners” for their collaboration. But like other agencies, the FBI did not specify which roles each partner played — leaving the public to interpret involvement based on limited information.
No statement from any agency has contradicted the Sheriff’s Office’s account that it provided only a liaison officer.
When the Narrative Becomes the Story
As the dust settles, it’s clear that the federal operation had all the hallmarks of a major criminal takedown: a transnational gang, narcotics, and coordinated multi-agency enforcement. But what followed wasn’t just a debate over public safety — it was a collision of narratives.
While Becerra initially affirmed that the Sheriff’s Office was not involved in enforcement, his subsequent framing — emphasizing secrecy and chaos — helped propel a public backlash, even as he had access to clarifying facts from ICE and HCSO.
This dynamic played out in real time: activists and media outlets filled in gaps before agencies could respond. Some amplified speculation that was later proven inaccurate or overstated. Even Becerra’s own statement, which confirmed HCSO’s limited role, did little to quell the confusion he had helped to ignite.
In the end, the facts became clear — but not before the narrative had already taken hold.
Transparency, it turns out, isn’t just about releasing information. It’s also about how responsibly that information is used.
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