A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operation targeting suspected sex trafficking and unlawful employment at a Dallas-area strip club has resulted in 41 arrests, federal officials announced.
DALLAS — A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operation targeting suspected sex trafficking and unlawful employment at a Dallas-area strip club has resulted in 41 arrests, federal officials announced.
On Sept. 26, HSI Dallas agents, working alongside federal, state, and local law enforcement, executed a search warrant at Chicas Bonitas Cabaret. The raid uncovered what investigators believe to be a criminal trafficking and illegal employment scheme.
According to officials, 41 undocumented individuals were taken into custody by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Dallas field office on immigration violations. Of those, 29 are suspected of working illegally at the club. Investigators also seized approximately $30,000 in cash and business records as part of the ongoing probe.
“HSI Dallas is committed to eradicating the vile scourge of sex trafficking from our local communities,” said Travis Pickard, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Dallas. “By working with our federal and local partners and leveraging HSI’s unique authorities, we were able to disrupt this suspected trafficking operation and are identifying potential victims.”
Repeat Offenders Identified
Among those detained were at least five individuals with criminal histories in the United States:
- Juan Carlos Salas Medina, 30, from Mexico — illegally entered the U.S. 10 times; convicted of aggravated assault of a family member, drug possession, and DUI.
- Julios Cesar Martinez, 47, from Mexico — convicted three times for assault causing bodily injury and DUI.
- Victor Manuel Manzano-Ramirez, 47, from Mexico — twice entered the U.S. illegally; convicted of DUI.
- Gustavo Rojas-Garda, 44, from Mexico — convicted of DUI.
- Genaro Diaz-Perez, 44, from Mexico — convicted of prostitution.
Multi-Agency Effort
The operation was carried out with the support of the Dallas Police Department, the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the IRS Criminal Investigations Division.
Officials say the case remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the extent of trafficking and to identify any victims exploited through the club’s operations.
