Fort Worth bar accused of operating illegally as a ‘sexually oriented’ business
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A joint operation between Fort Worth police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security resulted in two arrests related to a nightclub that was allegedly operating as a sexually oriented business without the proper permits and zoning.
According to city records, Masquerade Cabaret at 8116 Camp Bowie West Blvd. received a certificate of occupancy in October to operate as a bar. But in a letter sent Feb. 18, the City of Fort Worth accused the club’s owners of allowing employees to work “in a state of nudity,” which is not permissible under the location’s current zoning, nor is it allowed under the business’ certificate of occupancy.
In the letter, the Masquerade’s owners, Margerie Franklin, 43, and Trent Craff, 43, were told their employees would have to be “sufficiently clothed” for the establishment to remain open. The city also accused Franklin and Craff of obtaining their certificate of occupancy under false pretenses, with the intention of running it as a strip club.
Franklin and Craff were warned if they didn’t comply with city ordinances, they could be fined and have their certificate of occupancy revoked.
The Star-Telegram was unable to reach Franklin or Craff for comment.
Court records show Franklin and Craff were arrested Feb. 18, the same day the letter from the city went out. Both face misdemeanor charges of violating municipal and county regulations. An arrest warrant affidavit was not immediately available, but a March 3 post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Homeland Security Investigations office in Dallas alleged gang activity, prostitution and illegal alcohol sales at the Masquerade. The post also referenced a shooting that occurred at the club in January.
A message left for Craff’s attorney was not returned. An attorney for Franklin was not listed in court records.
A Fort Worth police source said the department’s vice division worked with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Homeland Security and intelligence resources to investigate the Masquerade. According to the source, the shooting referenced in the Homeland Security post occurred on Jan. 4. A police spokesperson said there was also a fight at the club on Jan. 22 that resulted in an assault.
The investigation is ongoing, and there are still outstanding warrants, the police source said.
A Homeland Security spokesperson said the operation began back in November. She confirmed there was no connection between the Masquerade and any international criminal organization; Homeland Security assisted because one of the Fort Worth officers involved was part of a Homeland Security investigations unit.
Tarrant County court records showed no prior arrests for Franklin. There were 15 charges against Craff in the court records, dating back to 2002. In February, he received a deferred sentence contingent on two years of community supervision for the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
In the X post, Homeland Security Investigations said the Masquerade Cabaret had permanently closed. But a spokesperson for the City of Fort Worth said the club still had its certificate of occupancy as of March 4.
This story was originally published March 4, 2026 at 6:27 PM.