Teen arrested for role in Trump demonstration

17-year-old detained on suspicion of throwing rocks at officers, horses

A teenager was arrested Thursday on suspicion of multiple crimes for his behavior at a Donald Trump rally last month, according to police.

Steven Renteria, 17, is now one of about six people who have been arrested on suspicion of throwing rocks or other debris at police officers and police horses during a demonstration against the presumptive Republican nominee for president.

Trump made a campaign stop in Albuquerque on May 24, a little over two weeks before he got about 75,000 votes and won the state’s Republican primary. Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders received about 110,000 and 104,000 votes, respectively.

Renteria is facing 10 charges, including aggravated bat-

tery upon a police officer, extreme cruelty to animals and criminal damage to property. The victims are officers Jeremy Bassett, Timothy Wolffbrandt, Charles Breeden, Chris Luthi and a New Mexico State Police vehicle, according to a petition filed in Children’s Court in Bernalillo County.

City officials said there was about $10,000 worth of damage to public and private property during the protest.

State Police officers arrested Renteria on Thursday in Albuquerque on a warrant for his arrest written by Albuquerque police, said State Police Sgt. Chad Pierce. The 17-year-old was booked into a juvenile detention facility, according to court documents.

Pierce directed questions about why he was facing charges to Albuquerque police.

Albuquerque police refused to discuss the investigation that led to Renteria’s charges on Friday.

Mayor Richard Berry had said that a team of investigators is reviewing hours of footage of the protest so police can bring charges against the people who threw rocks and other debris at city officials. He said additional charges may be filed in the case. Several teens and a couple of adult men have been arrested.