Detectives began the investigation into Chicas Locas in August, dubbing it Operation Safe Stage, after tips that employees were performing sex acts for money, according to police. That money was paid to the club\u2019s managers, not the employees performing the sex acts.<\/p>\n
Sgt. Tarik Muslimovic with the department\u2019s human exploitation and trafficking unit, said the investigation involved undercover detectives and agents who gathered enough evidence to obtain a search warrant and multiple arrest warrants.<\/p>\n
KERA News has filed open records requests for those warrants.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a very well-organized criminal enterprise,\u201d Muslimovic said. \u201cNot going into very specifics on what mechanisms they used to control the women, but they\u2019re effective at doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the search of the club, police found around $13,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia.<\/p>\n
Jones said at the news conference that multiple victims of the sex trafficking ring have been connected with resources including Rescue Hill and Rescue Her.<\/p>\n
\u201cHuman trafficking is one of the true evils of our society,\u201d Jones said. \u201cIt has no place in our communities, and we want to assure our residents, visitors, stakeholders that we\u2019re doing something about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two other men were arrested during the operation. Oscar Escobar was taken into custody for multiple outstanding warrants related to misdemeanors. The other man, 50-year-old Alejandro Hernandez, was arrested for unlawful carrying of a weapon and multiple drug charges.<\/p>\n
The charges do not yet show up in Tarrant County court records and\u00a0Tarrant County Jail records\u00a0<\/a>do not show the men currently in custody.<\/p>\n In addition to charges against Ramos and Tapia, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Lt. Wes Boyer said the TABC is conducting its own investigation and could assess fines or terminate Chicas Locas\u2019 licenses to serve alcohol.<\/p>\n A concern for the World Cup<\/p>\n Local police have been working with each other, federal agencies and FIFA in preparation to counter potential\u00a0human trafficking at the 2026 World Cup<\/a>, which will see Arlington host nine matches at AT&T Stadium.<\/p>\n FIFA and the Arlington City Council have both emphasized on multiple occasions that preventing or stopping human trafficking and human rights violations around the world\u2019s largest sporting tournament are top priorities.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have robust planning already started around the World Cup to ensure it\u2019s safe for our community, ensure we have the resources to tackle big operations like that,\u201d Muslimovic said at the news conference. \u201cThere will be engagements like this and in different capacities as well, so we\u2019re ready to ensure a safe entertainment space for those visiting the city.\u201d<\/p>\n Jones told reporters Arlington is already well-equipped to investigate and shut down human trafficking organizations.<\/p>\n Operation Safe Stage isn\u2019t the first such investigation the department has run, but he said it\u2019s still something they\u2019re learning from to better prepare for the World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to be able to do what we do very well, and I think this is the first step of learning,\u201d Jones said.\u201cWe are ahead of the game and I think that this right here just shows how dedicated we are to saving our victims and making sure that we can get them the help that they need and so they can change their life.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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