Socorro ISD trustee charged for allegedly choking teenager at party

UPDATE (July 27, 2026): Socorro ISD Board of Trustee member Ryan Woodcraft allegedly choked a teenager and asked for narcotics at a party in June, according to arrest documents obtained by ABC-7.

According to arrest documents, on June 21, El Paso police officers went to a home on Meadow Lake Avenue near Pebble Hills High School for an assault report. There, officers met with a 16-year-old boy who alleged Woodcraft assaulted him.

Woodcraft left the home before officers arrived, documents said. The boy's mother reported the alleged assault to police, and her family friend was also there.

The boy and his mother told police they went to a Father's Day barbeque at the family friend's house. While there, the boy alleged Woodcraft was "acting strange," according to documents.

Documents said Woodcraft allegedly placed a temporary tattoo on his chest and lifted his shirt to show children at the gathering.

The boy said he tried to get away from Woodcraft while he undressed, documents said. Woodcraft allegedly continued following them, according to documents.

Documents said the boy and others at the gathering entered the garage, and Woodcraft allegedly entered after and grabbed a large trash bag roll, which weighed 50-100 pounds, and threw it at the boy and his friends.

The boy told police Woodcraft missed and allegedly charged and tackled him.

Documents said the boy fell backwards and hit his head against the garage door. He alleged Woodcraft grabbed the bottom of the boy's shirt, pulled it over his head and dragged him through the home.

When he stopped dragging him, Woodcraft allegedly started choking the boy, documents said. The boy told police he tried to fight him off by punching him.

The boy told police it was hard to breathe, felt dizzy and had "tunnel vision like sensations," documents said.

A witness had kicked Woodcraft in the head multiple times, which is when he released the boy from the chokehold, documents said.

Woodcraft reportedly started apologizing to the boy when he got up. Documents said Woodcraft was escorted out of the house and left.

According to the witness, the family friend who hosted the barbecue, Woodcraft had already been drinking alcohol when he arrived, documents said.

The witness also told police Woodcraft was "acting odd" because he allegedly asked the witness if he had marijuana, documents said.

At one point, Woodcraft allegedly took the witness' phone, went to an unknown website that sold narcotics and said, "If you order shrooms, tell them in the notes that Woodcraft sent you," according to documents.

The witness told police that 30 minutes after the phone incident, he entered the home and saw Woodcraft allegedly choking the boy, documents said.

Documents said the witness saw the boy had "red and purple in the face, drooling and [had] tears coming out of his eyes."

The witness said he grabbed Woodcraft's hair and yelled at him to stop, which reportedly didn't work. Documents said the witness said he kicked his head until he let go.

According to Woodcraft's description on the SISD website, he's a Network Integration Planner at Fort Bliss. He's also a retired Army Chief warrant Officer and served more than 20 years in the Army.

Woodcraft is also a member of the City of El Paso's Bond Overview Advisory Committee and volunteers with the Pebble Hills High School band & Baseball Booster programs, according to the website.

Woodcraft's term expires in 2029, according to the district.

SISD said it's aware of Woodcraft's arrest.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- According to court records obtained by ABC-7, Socorro Independent School District (SISD) board Trustee Ryan Reid Woodcraft was arrested and is being charged with assault causing bodily injury.

Court records say that Woodcraft was arrested on Saturday, July 25 and was booked into the Downtown Detention Facility.

ABC-7 reached out to SISD for a statement regarding Woodcraft's arrest and released the following statement:

"Socorro ISD is aware of the situation involving Mr. Woodcraft and will follow the appropriate process in reviewing the matter. The District has no additional information to share at this time."

According to a biography on SISD's website, Woodcraft represents District 2 for the district.

This is a developing story and once more information becomes available, we will update you on air and online.