PECOS, Texas — The Reeves County Sheriff's Office has shared with NewsWest 9 new details in the recent raid of a Pecos strip club that led to dozens of arrests and a human trafficking investigation.
Captain Isaiah Porras says law enforcement had already been following El Ranchito Gentlemen's Club for months due to possibly violating the county's sexually oriented business regulations. He claims the club knowingly provided topless dances despite being near a residential area.
"Then, there was a point in time where we think there might be a nexus for human trafficking," said Cpt. Porras. "We may think some of the people there may not be there willing."
Upon being granted the search warrant, the operation, with the help of the FBI, ICE, and the Department of Homeland Security, went down during business hours on Saturday, June 13. Captain Porras says deputies ordered everyone, from patrons to employees, out of the building to allow for the clearing.
However, he says it didn't take long for investigators to make a shocking discovery: a small, padlocked room hidden behind storage lockers. Once inside, he says they found seven female entertainers, later identified as non-U.S. citizens believed to have been working against their will.
"I have a daughter," said Cpt. Porras. "I have a mom. It pulls you out of your work mode. Basic human compassion, where did it go?"
The club's owner, 56-year-old Alonso Salazar, turned himself in the next day. He's since bonded out on a misdemeanor for failing the aforementioned ordinance.
However, the captain says a federal human trafficking case is open against Salazar.
"I think that one of the greater messages that needs to be sent out is these types of actions against people have no place in a community like this and in any community going forward," said Cpt. Porras.
We've reached out to El Ranchito Gentlemen's Club for comment and have yet to hear back.
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