HSI-led operation targeting criminal sex trafficking at Dallas-area strip club results in 41 arrests

DALLAS - Homeland Security Investigations Dallas, with assistance from federal, state and local law enforcement, executed a criminal search warrant for suspected human trafficking and unlawful employment at the Chicas Bonitas Cabaret in Dallas Sept. 26.

Forty-one illegal aliens, including 29 suspected of illegally working at the club, were taken into custody by the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office for administrative immigration violations. Approximately $30,000 in U.S. currency and various business records were seized by HSI Dallas 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."

ICE continues to process aliens who were arrested during the operation, but 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 including:

• Juan Carlos Salas Medina, a 30-year-old criminal alien from Mexico, who has illegally entered the U.S. 10 times and been convicted of aggravated assault of a family member, possession of a controlled substance, and DUI.
• Julios Cesar Martinez, a 47-year-old criminal alien from Mexico, who has been convicted three times for assault causing bodily injury and DUI.
• Victor Manuel Manzano-Ramirez, a 47-year-old criminal alien from Mexico, who has illegally entered the U.S. twice and been convicted of DUI.
• Gustavo Rojas-Garda, a 44-year-old criminal alien from Mexico, who has been convicted of DUI.
• Genaro Diaz-Perez, a 44-year-old criminal alien from Mexico, who has been convicted of prostitution.

Law enforcement agencies that supported the operation included 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.