3 arrested in human trafficking case at North Texas massage parlors
Three people were arrested from North Texas massage parlors on Tuesday during a human trafficking investigation, the District Attorney’s Office for Johnson and Somervell Counties said in a news release.
Investigators served search warrants at Cleburne Massage, Waterfall Massage and East Massage in Burleson, formerly Best Massage, on Dec. 16 as part of the human trafficking investigation, a spokesperson for the district attorney’s office told the Star-Telegram.
Consepsion Manriquez and Charles Eugene Evans were each arrested and face charges of continuous trafficking of persons and racketeering, with bond set at $1.35 million each. Jie Deng faces a charge of continuous trafficking of persons, with bond set at $850,000, according to the release.
Investigators also seized two handguns, $3,330 in cash, evidence of sex trafficking, and numerous electronic devices and data storage devices, the release stated.
“This investigation has uncovered established criminal ties to other locations in Texas, multiple other states, and internationally,” according to the release.
All victims involved were adult women, a DA’s office spokesperson said.
“Here in the District Attorney’s Office for Johnson and Somervell Counties, we believe in protecting both the individual rights and personal safety of all who call our counties home, as well as those who visit and work here,” District Attorney Timothy M. Good said in a statement.
“For those who visit the businesses engaged in these illicit activities, this is a warning to you. You are a part of the problem. You are personally victimizing someone who is being exploited. There will be consequences for your actions,” Good said.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional arrests and search warrants are expected, officials said.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson County District Attorney’s Office, FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, Burleson Police Department and the Cleburne Police Department conducted this investigation.