Federal agents busted up a suspected sex trafficking operation at a Dallas-area strip club, resulting in the arrests of 41 illegal aliens, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The raid occurred during a busy Friday night on Sept. 26 at the Chicas Bonitas Cabaret in Dallas. Homeland Security Investigations Dallas, with assistance from federal, state and local law enforcement, executed a search warrant for suspected human trafficking and unlawful employment, ICE said in a news release.
During the raid, agents detained 41 illegal immigrants, including 29 believed to be illegally employed at the club. Five Mexican citizens arrested at the club had prior criminal charges ranging from DUIs, prostitution, and assault, ICE said.
Those arrested were taken into custody by the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office for administrative immigration violations, according to the release.
HSI Dallas also seized approximately $30,000 and various business records as part of their ongoing criminal investigation into the business.
“HSI Dallas is committed to eradicating the vile scourge of sex trafficking from our local communities,” said HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. “Working in conjunction with our federal and local partners and leveraging HSI’s unique investigative authorities, we were able to disrupt the suspected trafficking operation at this cabaret and are working to identify potential victims.”
The agency’s Dallas Field Office is handling immigration violations, while HSI continues its criminal investigation into the business.
ICE continues to process and investigate the background of the illegal aliens who were arrested. At least five have been convicted of criminal offenses after illegally entering the U.S. and one has illegally entered the country at least 10 times.
Those arrested include:
- Juan Carlos Salas Medina, a 30-year-old Mexico national who illegally entered the U.S. 10 times and has previous convictions for aggravated assault of a family member, possession of a controlled substance and DUI.
- Julios Cesar Martinez, a 47-year-old Mexico national convicted three times for assault causing bodily injury and DUI.
- Victor Manuel Manzano-Ramirez, a 47-year-old Mexico national who has illegally entered the U.S. twice and been convicted of DUI.
- Gustavo Rojas-Garda, a 44-year-old Mexico national convicted of DUI.
- Genaro Diaz-Perez, a 44-year-old from Mexico convicted of prostitution.
In a follow up report, WFAA 8 News reported from the scene and said officials said suspected human trafficking is what led them to the club. The warehouse-type building club on Harry Hines Boulevard in Northwest Dallas.
Dallas police confirmed they assisted with the investigation and set a perimeter around the packed club during the operation, a DPD spokesman Jonathan Maner told The Dallas Morning News.
HSI Dallas had assistance from the Dallas Police Department, the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigative Division.
