A chilling operation unfolded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where federal prosecutors allege a sex trafficking ring preyed on vulnerable women. The scheme, allegedly orchestrated by three individuals, exploited victims and offered them through a disturbing “menu” circulated on WhatsApp.
The investigation began with a crucial tip to the FBI – screenshots revealing explicit images and offers sent by Jesus Lopez, known on the streets as “El Perro.” These messages showcased women available for exploitation, targeting men as young as eighteen years old.
Zaira Lopez-Oliva and Kirsis Castellanos-Kirington are accused of being key accomplices, assisting Lopez in nearly every facet of the operation. Their involvement extended beyond simple support, allegedly encompassing the logistical and operational elements of the trafficking network.
Surveillance footage captured Lopez-Oliva transporting victims to and from the New Orleans Airport, a critical step in bringing individuals into the exploitative situation. This detail highlights the calculated nature of the operation and the deliberate movement of victims.
Court documents reveal the ring’s clients ranged in age from eighteen to sixty, demonstrating a broad targeting of individuals willing to participate in the illicit activity. The alleged financial exploitation was stark, with victims receiving as little as $20 from a $40 transaction, the remainder claimed by Lopez.
The desperation of the victims was palpable. One woman, struggling financially, sought opportunity but instead found herself trapped, informed upon arrival in Louisiana that she would be forced into sexual acts. Two of the victims were themselves undocumented immigrants, compounding their vulnerability.
A terrifying element emerged from victim testimony: the threat of violence. One woman recounted being warned that any attempt to reveal the operation would result in her death, a chilling illustration of the control Lopez exerted over his victims.
The raid on the operation’s base uncovered a network built on coercion and control. Victims were allegedly forbidden from leaving or disclosing their situation, effectively imprisoned by fear and financial dependence.
All three suspects – Lopez, Lopez-Oliva, and Castellanos-Kirington – now face serious charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, along with charges of aiding and abetting this horrific crime.
