Gang charges dropped against 15 arrested in Phoenix protests

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office filed a motion to dismiss the case against 15 people arrested and charged as gang members during protests in downtown Phoenix on the night of Oct. 17, according to a statement from the office.

In total, 15 adults and three teens were arrested that night, the highest number of people arrested at one time at a Phoenix protest since June, when protests against police in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis drew hundreds of thousands of protesters downtown.

The case was the first time a prosecutor had filed gang charges in connection with the protests.

“The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is re-evaluating the evidence that has been reviewed and continues to be reviewed,” according to a statement tweeted by the office.

Protesters were arrested and charged with various offenses such as felonious rioting, obstructing a public thoroughfare, unlawful assembly, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and assisting a criminal street gang.

“MCAO remains committed to holding those who committed criminal acts in this event responsible,” according to the statement.

These 15 defendants were on the docket for Maricopa County Superior Court case CR 2020-139581:

Jacquelyn Alexiz Alcaraz

Britney Erica Austin

Kalixta Noemi Villasaez

Ryder Collins

Suvarna Ratnam

Riley Morgan Behrens

Brenda Guadalupe Diaz

Jessica Gibson

Nathan Jon Aderholdt, aka Nathan Aderholdt

Nathaniel Benjamin Llanes Dominic Berlage Bonelli

Kaleb Isaiah Martin

Marysa E Leyva, aka Marysa Leyva

Christopher Charles Roberson Amy Beth Kaper