Arlington police bust alleged sex trafficking ring at strip club, seize cash and drugs
Four men are in jail after police busted what authorities said was an organized sex trafficking ring being run out of an Arlington strip club.
The Arlington Police Department said that in August, it received information about illegal sex acts being performed by employees at Chicas Locas in exchange for money, with proceeds going to the club's managers. APD also said in a press release shared Wednesday that there were reports that narcotics sales were taking place at the club.
On Oct. 23, APD arrested two club managers, 25-year-old Oziel Ramos and 40-year-old Ariel Tapia, and charged them with aggravated promotion of prostitution. APD also arrested 28-year-old Oscar Escobar on multiple outstanding misdemeanor warrants and 50-year-old Alejandro Hernandez for unlawful carrying of a weapon and multiple drug-related charges.
Arlington Police Department Human Exploitation Trafficking Unit Sgt. Tarik Muslimovic said the victims at Chicas Locas are women in their 20s.
"This is a very well-organized criminal enterprise. I'm not going into very specifics on what their mechanisms they used to control the women, but they're effective at doing that," Muslimovic said.
The human trafficking non-profit organization Rescue Hill is helping the victims.
"We had a larger number of women to meet with, and a lot of times the women are not going to make what we would consider an outcry in that moment," Rescue Hill executive director Amanda Pettit said.
"Human trafficking is a grim reality that lurks far too close to home. It's estimated 300,000 victims are affected in Texas alone," Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Lt. Wes Boyer said.
Officers said multiple pieces of digital and physical evidence were seized from the club, as well as drug paraphernalia and nearly $13,000 in cash.
"This is a community issue. This is happening every day within our community, and it's only together that we can address this heinous crime," Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Commander Kevin Turner said.
APD said additional arrests and charges are pending and it is working with the City of Arlington to explore possible civil enforcement against Chicas Locas.
"Operation Safe Stage was a success and I am extremely proud of the work that went into it," said APD Chief Al Jones. "We and our partner agencies sent a strong message that human trafficking has no place in Tarrant County and we will use every resource available to go after those who commit this heinous crime. I want to personally thank our partner agencies for their efforts and collaboration. No single agency can tackle this issue alone. It takes all of us working together."