Federal agents swept into a Dallas strip club, arresting 41 people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally and grabbing about $30,000 in cash as part of a human trafficking probe.
The raid hit Chicas Bonitas Cabaret on Friday, led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Dallas with help from other federal, state, and local teams. They carried out a search warrant targeting suspected human trafficking and illegal hiring practices, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Out of those arrested, 29 face charges for working illegally at the club. The ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas office took everyone into custody for immigration violations. Officials are still processing the group, but at least five have prior criminal convictions after entering the U.S. without permission.
Take Julios Cesar Martinez, 47, from Mexico—he’s got three convictions for assault causing bodily injury and driving under the influence. Victor Manuel Manzano-Ramirez, also 47 from Mexico, crossed the border illegally twice and has a DUI on his record. Gustavo Rojas-Garda, 44, from Mexico, was convicted of driving under the influence. Genaro Diaz-Perez, 44, from Mexico, has a prostitution conviction. And Juan Carlos Salas Medina, 30, from Mexico, allegedly entered the U.S. illegally 10 times, with convictions for aggravated assault on a family member, drug possession, and another DUI.
Beyond the arrests, HSI Dallas seized the cash along with business records to fuel their ongoing criminal investigation into the club.
Travis Pickard, the special agent in charge at HSI Dallas, stressed the team’s focus on stopping sex trafficking in local communities. “Working with our federal and local partners and using HSI’s special investigative tools, we disrupted this suspected trafficking ring at the cabaret,” Pickard said in an ICE release. “We’re now working to find any potential victims.”
Local FOX 4 Dallas news reported that nearby business owners hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary before the raid. But they’ve seen foot traffic drop off since the arrests shook up the area.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
