El Paso, TX — Authorities in Texas have arrested nine people, including an El Paso attorney, after a year-long investigation exposed an international human trafficking ring that allegedly forced Cuban women into prostitution across the border region.
The joint operation, led by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), revealed a sophisticated network exploiting vulnerable women under the guise of debt repayment.
Trafficking Network Exploited Cuban Migrants
Investigators say the organization smuggled women from Cuba through Central America and into West Texas, where they were forced into prostitution to pay off alleged “transportation debts.”
“These arrests underscore how criminal networks exploit vulnerable migrants, trapping them in cycles of debt bondage and sexual exploitation,” said a DPS spokesperson.
According to The Dallas Express, traffickers used online platforms to advertise victims and moved women between various locations in El Paso to avoid detection.
Attorney Accused of Exploiting Victims
One of the individuals arrested, Mario Ortiz Saroldi, 38, is a licensed attorney in El Paso who had previously represented trafficking victims in court. Authorities allege he solicited sex from women he was supposed to help.
“Saroldi represented some victims in legal proceedings while allegedly soliciting them for prostitution,” investigators stated in the criminal report.
Saroldi now faces solicitation of prostitution charges, and the case has drawn attention for its disturbing overlap between legal advocacy and criminal exploitation.
Additional Suspects and Charges
Investigators also arrested Yasiel Rodriguez-Amaro, 31, and Katherine Ventura-Amaro, 37, both of El Paso. The pair face charges including:
- Aggravated promotion of prostitution
- Online promotion of prostitution
- Drug possession
Authorities say the Amaro pair were key figures in coordinating advertisements and managing the movement of victims across city lines.
“Different members of the trafficking ring handled specific roles,” officials noted. “Some advertised victims online, while others transported women to hotels and apartments across El Paso for prostitution.”
All nine suspects face a combination of prostitution, aggravated promotion of prostitution, and organized criminal activity charges. Some also face immigration and narcotics violations.
Ongoing Investigation and Broader Impact
The arrests are part of a broader crackdown on international trafficking routes targeting Cuban and Central American women. Authorities believe the network may be linked to larger transnational crime organizations operating throughout the Southwest.
“This is not just a local issue — it’s an international crime with far-reaching victims,” said an HSI investigator familiar with the case.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not released the names of the remaining six suspects as they continue to gather evidence on the full scope of the operation.
Human Trafficking Awareness
Officials are reminding the public that human trafficking often hides in plain sight, particularly within service industries and illicit online markets.
To report suspected human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “HELP” to 233733 (BEFREE).
What are your thoughts on this case and how Texas can strengthen efforts to combat trafficking? Share your views in the comments below.
