(The Center Square) – Law enforcement officers arrested 41 illegal foreign nationals, including 29 suspected of illegally working at a Dallas strip club, as part of a human trafficking and illegal employment scheme investigation.
They did so as the names of two victims of a recent ICE Dallas shooting were announced; both men had extensive criminal histories.
U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Dallas led an investigation into human trafficking and illegal employment at a local Dallas strip club with the support of federal, state and local law enforcement officers.
After criminal search warrants were executed at Chicas Bonitas Cabaret in Dallas, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’ Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office agents took 41 illegal foreign nationals into custody. Half, 21, were arrested for illegally working at the club and on administrative immigration violations, ICE said.
Authorities also seized $30,000 in U.S. currency and various business records as part of HSI Dallas’ ongoing criminal investigation into the business.
“HSI Dallas is committed to eradicating the vile scourge of sex trafficking from our local communities,” HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard said. “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.”
While ICE officers continue to process those who were arrested, at least five of them, all Mexican citizens in the U.S. illegally, have multiple criminal convictions, ICE said.
They include Mexican nationals Juan Carlos Salas Medina, who illegally entered the U.S. at least 10 times. His convictions include aggravated assault of a family member, possession of a controlled substance, and DUI; Julios Cesar Martinez, who was convicted three times for assault causing bodily injury and DUI; Victor Manuel Manzano-Ramirez, who illegally entered the U.S. twice and was convicted of a DUI; Gustavo Rojas-Garda, who was convicted of a DUI; Genaro Diaz-Perez, who was convicted of prostitution.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest operation include the Dallas Police Department, Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission, U.S. Marshals Service, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigative Division.
The arrests were made as Dallas ICE announced the names and criminal histories of two victims of the recent shooting at its field office. Both were killed while in ICE custody despite efforts by emergency medical personnel to save them.
One victim, Norlan Guzman-Fuentes, a Salvadoran national, was illegally in the country with a criminal history dating to 2012. He was first arrested in Palm Beach County, Florida, on charges for battery, improper exhibit of a firearm or dangerous weapon and criminal mischief, according to ICE records. In 2020, he was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated by Arlington police. In August, he was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and an outstanding warrant for driving while intoxicated.
Another victim, Miguel Angel Garcia-Hernandez, was a Mexican national who illegally entered the country as a gotaway – those who illegally enter and evade capture. His criminal history dates to 2011 when he was arrested by Arlington City Police and charged with failing to identify/giving fictitious information and evading arrest for which he was convicted. In 2017, he was again arrested, charged and convicted of failure to identify/giving fictitious information. ICE attempted to take him into custody but was unable to because Arlington City Jail released him, ICE said.
In August, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated, evading arrest with vehicle and fleeing police. This time, ICE ERO was able to take him into custody.
On Sept. 24, ICE ERO Dallas reported an active shooter incident; both Guzman-Fuentes and Garcia-Hernandez were shot and succumbed to their injuries.
ICE has extended condolences to the family members stating, “this tragedy underscores the terrible cost of dangerous rhetoric and violence against the men and women of ICE who are simply carrying out their sworn law enforcement mission.”
