The FBI Houston confirmed the arrest of three individuals in the Houston area as part of a multi-state investigation into a suspected sex trafficking network linked to the Tren de Aragua gang. This brings the total number of arrests to eight. The investigation began in Nashville, Tennessee, and later expanded to Texas. Court documents cited by KHOU state that women from Venezuela were brought to the U.S. with false promises and then forced into prostitution.

Federal prosecutors charged several individuals, including Yilibeth Del Carmen Rivero-Del Caldera and her son, Klebier Daniel Mota Rivero, with human trafficking. Authorities say the group lured South American women with false job offers and forced them into prostitution to repay travel debts. Klebier was also charged with illegal possession of a firearm, according to New York Post. Five arrests took place in Tennessee and three in Texas. Evidence includes text messages, travel records, and commercial sex advertisements. Officials report that some victims had their children and immigration documents withheld to prevent them from leaving, as stated by KHOU.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch affirmed law enforcement’s commitment to dismantling criminal organizations, stating, "We will hunt these bad actors down. We will dismantle them, and we will work with every tool that we have under the law to hold these violent criminals absolutely accountable," as mentioned by KHOU. He also warned, "We will not stand by and allow TdA or any criminal organization to get a stronghold in Tennessee." Authorities are urging the public to report any information on trafficking operations as federal and state agencies continue their investigation, as reported by New York Post.