Adriana M. Chavez
El Paso Times
A public intoxication charge against world champion boxer Austin Trout of Las Cruces is still pending despite claims by Trout's trainer that the charge was dropped.
Channel 7-KVIA reported Thursday that Trout's trainer said the public intoxication charge stemming from Trout's arrest early Tuesday at a West El Paso Taco Cabana restaurant was dropped. Trout, the world junior middleweight champion, also told the El Paso Times this week officers told him the charge would be dropped.But city spokeswoman Juli Lozano said Friday the case is still pending.
"It hasn't been dismissed. Nothing has happened," Lozano said.
El Paso police spokesman Detective Mike Baranyay also said Friday that the case "is still technically active."
Trout said late Friday afternoon, "I don't have any further comment. I'm not worried because I know I didn't do anything wrong."
Baranyay said Trout can request a court hearing if he wants to dispute the case, and if a municipal court judge decides to dismiss the case, Trout's bond money will be refunded.
Baranyay also said an officer doesn't have the authority to dismiss a charge.
"That's up to the city prosecutor or the judge," Baranyay said. "The officer has no authority or ability to drop a charge."
Hours after he was released from the El Paso County Jail after posting a $105 bond, Trout told the El Paso Times his arrest was "a mistake" and denied being intoxicated.
According to a police report, several officers from the Westside Regional Command Center responded to a fight call at Taco Cabana, 7800 N. Mesa, about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.
When the officers arrived, they saw several people yelling inside the restaurant. Officers also reported seeing chairs, tables, food and drinks "strewn about the floor" at the restaurant.
The report states Taco Cabana employees pointed out those allegedly involved in the fight, including Trout and three others, and that officers arrested the group after allegedly noticing the smell of alcohol on them.
Article courtesy of Adriana M. Chávez of the El Paso Times. Adriana may be reached at achavez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6117. Follow her on Twitter @AChavezEPTimes.