Socorro School Trustee Faces Assault Charge

Socorro Independent School District trustee Ryan Woodcraft is charged following an alleged incident at a party.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Administration

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a concrete monolith against a horizon, representing the gravity of a school board investigation. — Socorro Independent School District trustee Ryan Woodcraft faces a misdemeanor assault charge following an alleged incident at a June party. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Socorro Independent School District trustee Ryan Woodcraft, who represents District 2, faces a misdemeanor charge of assault causing bodily injury. The charge follows allegations that Woodcraft placed a 16-year-old in a chokehold during a party in June.

Why it matters

The school board has initiated a formal review of the allegations to determine the impact on Woodcraft's role as an elected official. A third-party investigator has been appointed to examine the incident and report back to the district.

Ryan Woodcraft currently serves as the elected representative for District 2 within the Socorro Independent School District. The charges involve an alleged assault on a 16-year-old individual.

The players

Ryan Woodcraft

He is an elected trustee representing District 2 of the Socorro Independent School District.

Socorro Independent School District

This is the El Paso-based public school system currently investigating the conduct of one of its board members.

The details

Prosecutors charged Woodcraft after reports surfaced that he acted erratically and questioned guests about drugs during a Father's Day event. The school board is currently awaiting the results of a third-party review to finalize its response to the situation.

The alleged incident occurred at a party in June 2026.
The board president discussed the review process in July 2026.
Ryan Woodcraft was formally charged with assault on October 26, 2026.

Culture Shift

School boards are increasingly adopting rigorous third-party oversight protocols to address misconduct allegations involving elected officials. This shift mirrors a broader trend toward transparency and accountability in local government oversight throughout Texas.

Residents may see continued discussion regarding board oversight and trustee accountability at upcoming public meetings. The final investigator report could lead to formal disciplinary recommendations regarding the District 2 seat.

The takeaway

Maintaining conduct standards for elected officials is essential for public trust in school district operations. Voters and community members should monitor board meeting agendas for updates on the investigative findings.