Organized Prostitution in Houston Thwarted; 13 Arrested

A mafia-like prostitution ring in Houston was shut down by authorities and resulted in the arrest of 13 people including the 66-year-old alleged mastermind of the whole operation.

This sex-trafficking ring in Texas was reported to make a profit of at least $12.6 million each year by forcing underage girls and women who are living in the U.S. illegally, reportedly, into prostitution.

Federal, state and local officials undertook a coordinated sweep of various locations in Houston including several bars last Thursday and arrested the people but one person indicted remains at large.

Authorities named 66-year-old Hortencia Medeles-Arguello as the ringleader of the organized sex-trafficking in Houston. She owned four bars in east and southeast Houston where the authorities claimed that the girls were forced into prostitution.

Officers also said that the ring was operated by Medeles-Arguello's family as her three daughters, brother, sister and niece also played a part in the prostitution ring. They were also indicted by the authorities. The authorities also claimed that they are still looking for Alfonso Diaz-Juarez, 45, from Mexico.

"This ring victimized women and young girls who were brought here from Mexico and forced into the sex trade through violence and intimidation. Nowhere in the world, especially right here in Houston should any human being trafficked for profit or used as a reusable commodity," said FBI special agent Stephen L. Morris.

According to the indictment cited by the Houston Chronicle, Medeles-Arguello would charge patrons from $65 to $500 to have sex with the girls either in the rooms upstairs at the bar or at a nearby hotel. Some of the girls were as young as 14 to 17 years old. The girls were smuggled from Mexico.

The indictment also said that the girls were sometimes beaten by Medeles-Arguello if they did not keep the clients happy.

Suspects may face charges including sex trafficking conspiracy, conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.