A Houston family has been charged with sex trafficking after forcing waitresses working at a bar to engage in commercial sex acts for more than a decade.
Maria Botello, 54, her two children — Edgar Botello and Yudy Lucatero, 28 and 31, respectfully — and her nephew — Arian Botello, 23 — are accused of coordinating a sex trafficking operation from 2007 to 2020 at Houston bar Puerto Allegre, according to the U.S. attorney's office. The victims allegedly include adults and a minor.
Maria Botello coordinated with clients, who paid $70 for every 15 minutes with the girls, according to the criminal complaint, while Edgar Botello and Arian Botello were the enforcers who used weapons and intimidation to keep the victims compliant.