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Houston Texas, major Federal bust up

HOUSTON - A modern day international sex slavery ring has been broken up right under our noses. Since 1999, federal investigators say young Mexican women and girls have been smuggled into an east Houston compound, then forced to work as prostitutes.

Horrible acts are mentioned in the indictment returned this week and unsealed on Thursday. The feds allege the east Houston ring has been in operation for a dozen years, though Houston's Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance didn't begin their investigation until three years ago following a 911 call.

The ladies, the youngest just 14, are believed to have been smuggled to Houston under false promises.

"Once they get here, instead of having nice jobs at restaurants, they use that (smuggling) debt to control them," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruben Perez.

The 30-page indictment alleges Maria Rojas and her brother, Jose Rojas, forced the women into prostitution at the bar and restaurant they operated. It's alleged the suspects changed their tactics in 2003 by relying on pimps to supply the ladies, control them and prevent their escape.

"Psychological coercion is worse than a beating. It is because if they're saying, 'I know your family, if you don't do what I say bad things are going to happen to your family.' That's worse than a beating," said Perez.

On Wednesday night, an army of federal and local investigators raided El Club Restaurant and La Costenita Night Club on Clinton Drive. They arrested all ten of the men and women named in the indictment, rescued nine young ladies including three minors, and detained 14 other women for questioning to determine whether they are victims or witnesses.

"Even if they can get out, they don't really know what else is out there. They don't have the resources. They don't know who to call," said Ashley Leprine, Houston Rescue and Restore Coaltion.

According to the indictment, the Rojas operation would double the amout of the smuggling fee from $2,000 to $4,000. In 2003, when they allegedly began using pimps, the operation is accused of collecting $15 from the women for the use of a room adjacent to the La Costenita. The women would receive $50 for 15 minutes of sex, but that money ultimately went to the pimp, according to the indictment. Prosecutors say the suspects earned $5,000 a day on the weekends through the alleged sex trade alone.

"We know this case is just the tip of the iceberg. We would like to know more about what's occurring and be ready to respond with information that comes forward," said Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia.