Three people are now facing charges after a human trafficking investigation into massage parlors across North Texas led to coordinated raids in Burleson and Cleburne this week, authorities said. The operation turned up cash, firearms and digital evidence, and prosecutors have filed trafficking-related charges while describing the probe as multi-jurisdictional and still active.
The Johnson and Somervell counties district attorney’s office identified the suspects as Jie Deng, Consepsion Manriquez and Charles Eugene Evans, and said all victims involved were adult women, according to the Fort Worth Star‑Telegram. Deng was arrested and charged with continuous trafficking of persons, while Manriquez and Evans were charged with continuous trafficking of persons and racketeering, the release states. Bond was set at $850,000 for Deng and $1,350,000 each for Manriquez and Evans.
Raids Hit Parlors In Burleson And Cleburne
Investigators executed search warrants on Dec. 16 at East Massage (formerly Best Massage) in Burleson, at Cleburne Massage and at Waterfall Massage, where they seized $3,330 in cash, two handguns, evidence of sex trafficking and numerous electronic and data storage devices. District Attorney Timothy M. Good warned that customers who choose to visit illicit businesses “are a part of the problem” and will face consequences as the investigation moves forward.
The probe has brought together the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, the Johnson County District Attorney's Office, the FBI, the Texas Department of Public Safety and local police. Officials said the inquiry has uncovered ties to other locations in Texas, multiple other states and internationally, and they expect additional arrests and search warrants, according to the Fort Worth Star‑Telegram.
Part Of A Broader Regulatory Crackdown
In recent years, state regulators and local authorities have stepped up efforts to shut down illicit massage businesses, using emergency closure powers when they see potential trafficking red flags. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has issued multiple six-month emergency closure orders after inspections turned up indicators such as employees living on-site and online ads offering sexual services, reporting shows. Local coverage of those regulatory actions is available via KCBD, which documented several closures earlier this year.
What Happens Next
Prosecutors will move forward with the trafficking and racketeering cases while investigators continue to carry out search warrants and follow new leads. Victims in this case are being treated as adults and are eligible for victim-services referrals. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Johnson County Sheriff's Office or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
The district attorney's office said the probe remains active and pledged further updates as the cases work their way through the courts. Local officials urged residents to report suspected trafficking so investigators can respond.
