Austin City Council candidate Misael Ramos was arrested Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, and charged with riot participation following a recent protest against a federal immigration officer. Ramos, who is running to represent District 1 in East Austin, was taken into custody by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers and released later that evening on a $1,000 personal bond.
The arrest stems from a Sept. 20 protest against the shooting of Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, a delivery driver from Venezuela, by a federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in North Austin. Garcés Pérez was wounded in the torso and remains in federal custody. Ramos' campaign manager, Jeffrey Clemmons, stated that the candidate was targeted for his participation in activities protected by the First Amendment.
According to DPS, troopers and special agents observed Ramos on the 2400 block of Manor Road on Saturday morning. The agency stated that Ramos had an outstanding warrant for "taking construction barricades, sandbags, and other items and attempting to obstruct traffic" during the Sept. 20 demonstrations. DPS released video footage that the agency described as showing Ramos lifting a barricade and a sandbag.
Ramos and his campaign disputed the circumstances of the arrest. Clemmons said Ramos was detained around 8:50 a.m. while walking his dog by officers in unmarked vehicles who did not initially show a warrant. Ramos stated that an officer asked for his name and if he was the candidate running for City Council before telling him there was a warrant. Ramos alleged he was not allowed to take his dog home and that one of the six or seven responding officers briefly drew a firearm during the interaction.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between local activists and state law enforcement following a federal shooting incident in North Austin. Ramos could face a fine or jail time if convicted of the misdemeanor charge. Over 100 people gathered for a news conference upon his release to voice concerns about police tactics and the use of unmarked vehicles during arrests.
The case involves monitoring of participants in public protests by state law enforcement. The arrest has prompted debate regarding the oversight of state troopers within Austin city limits and the handling of demonstrations related to federal immigration enforcement. Future developments depend on the court schedule for the riot participation charge and the outcome of the investigation into the original Sept. 20 shooting of Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez.