A comprehensive monthlong operation targeting human trafficking in Lubbock has successfully rescued 10 victims and led to the arrest of 20 individuals on various felony charges. The initiative, which culminated in a significant law enforcement effort, was announced by local authorities on Sunday.
The crackdown, conducted throughout January, coincided with National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. It was spearheaded by the Lubbock Police Department’s Special Operations Human Trafficking Unit in collaboration with several agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office.
Victims of trafficking received immediate assistance through Voice of Hope, a local organization dedicated to providing resources and support for survivors. The arrested individuals face a range of serious charges, including aggravated promotion of prostitution, solicitation, resisting arrest, and drug possession. Among those apprehended were two individuals with outstanding warrants for aggravated promotion of prostitution, as well as several others detained on federal immigration holds.
The Lubbock Police Department expressed its ongoing commitment to combat human trafficking in the region, stating, “While the operation has concluded, the Lubbock Police Department, in conjunction with its area law enforcement partners, remains committed in its fight against human trafficking here in the Hub City and beyond.”
The names of those arrested during the operation have been released, detailing various charges for each individual:
- Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution (Warrants):
- Gao, Fu, 66
- Liu, Biwu, 32
- Promotion of Prostitution (Warrant):
- Willis, Jamil, 43
- Solicitation of Prostitution:
- Arrendondo, Diego, 37 (also held on ICE Hold)
- Contreras-Fuentes, Angel Anthony, 24
- Forgione, Daniel John, 63
- Herrera, Ray Anthony, 59
- Mathis, Justin, 44
- McClanahan, Jeffrey, 43
- Oyetade, Oluwaseye Peter, 35
- Plosz, Gabor, 34 (also held on ICE Hold)
- Romero, Francisco Manuel, 26
- Ryan, Tsamarte, 27
- Tran, Son Hoang, 54
- Walker, Wesley Adam, 46 (also charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon, Manufacture/Delivery of a Substance, and Possession of Marijuana)
- Wing, Samuel Logan, 28 (also charged with Resisting Arrest/Search/Transport)
- Rachels, Jason, 44 (Warrant for Attempted Solicitation)
- Prostitution:
- Chavira, Griselda Alexandra, 26
- Other Related Charges & Warrants:
- Chavez, Veronica Marie, 35 (LPD Misdemeanor Warrant)
- Terrell, William Bryan, 49 (Interference with Public Duties and Resisting Arrest/Search/Transport)
For individuals who are victims of human trafficking or know someone who is, various resources are available:
- Voice of Hope: 806-763-7273 | voiceofhopetexas.org
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 | humantraffickinghotline.org
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: 1-800-THE-LOST | missingkids.org
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 (text “BEGIN” to 88788)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (text HOME to 741-741)
- Crisis hotline: Call 988
