Terrazas Sister's From Los Horoscopos de Durango Plead Not Guilty To Inciting A Riot

Virginia and Marisol Terrazas

The Terrazas sisters entered a not guilty plea in absence to multiple felony charges stemming from an incident at a dance in Florida resulting in their arrest.

By H. Nelson Goodson

December 12, 2012

Okeechobee, FL - Both Virginia "Vicky" Terrazas, 32, of Palos Park, IL and Marisol Terrazas, 36, of Lemont, IL,  the lead singers for Los Horóscopos de Durango entered a not guilty plea in absence to multiple felony counts. They submitted their pleas and statements of not guilty to the court several days ago through their lawyer. They also requested a jury trial, according to court records.

Okeechobee County Circuit Judge Robert E. Belanger will determine, if the Terrazas sisters will be bound over for trial. They remain free on bonf.

On November 11, they were arrested and then freed the next day from the Okeechobee County jail after spending the night in jail and posting bail. The Terrazas' sisters were taken into custody for inciting a riot during a Mexican rodeo dance and event, according to the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office (OCSO). Virginia was charged with three felonies counts for battery to a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and inciting a riot. Marisol was charged with two felony counts for inciting a riot and resisting arrest without violence. Marisol's bail was set at $31,000 and Virginia's bail was set at $90,000 and both were expected appear in court on December 12.

Virginia's boyfriend, Antonio Medina, 20, of Chicago, IL was also arrested and charged with one felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer.

The Terrazas sisters were taken into custody after a scuffle broke out between a private security officer and a fan at the Agi-Civic Center when they were performing their first song. 

Marisol was arrested for shouting vulgarities to Deputies during a dance scuffle and Virginia for kicking a Deputy in the groin after he grabbed her while she attempted to keep Marisol from being detained. Medina was arrested for grabbing a Deputy, "at which the officer was sruck in the head with a can full of beer," Michele Bell, the Okeechobee County Sheriff Office Public Information Officer wrote in press release in November.

There were 1,600 people in attendance when a fight between hired private security personnel and a patron erupted. Sheriff Deputies stepped in to help security to break up the scuffle, according to the criminal complaint.

Marisol stopped singing and began to curse the officers over a loud speakers, which showed an immediate effect of aggressive behavior from the crowd. She was ordered to stop or she would be arrested. She dared the officers to come up on stage and arrest her.

Marisol from the stage told the Deputies and security to stop pushing and roughing up people (Mexicans) at the dance floor. A fan was tased by a security officer, triggering Marisol to insult the officers in both Spanish and English language vulgarities prompting Deputies to go up on stage and attempt to arrest Marisol, including her sister. 

Fans then began to throw cans of beer and debris at Deputies on stage. The scuffle was video taped by fan.

Both Marisol and Virginia fled from the stage and were later apprehended in a vehicle while attempting to leave the area. The crowd exited the arena area and began to follow officers escorting the Terrazas' to a patrol car. The crowd also began to throw cans of beer, water bottles and drinks. At no time did either of the Terrazas sisters say or do anything to help stop or resolve the violent situation. A security officer was able to identify Luis Maldonado, as the suspect that hit an officer in the head with a can of beer, according to Bell. Maldonado, 25, of Port St. Lucie, FL was charged with aggravated battery to a law enforcement officer.