A Texas Department of Public Safety complaint alleges that owners and staff at Montana Hideaway Gentleman's Club ran an organized prostitution operation out of the East El Paso strip club, with dancers allegedly offering agents sexual intercourse for fees of up to $500 in a VIP room. The complaint followed a months-long investigation by state agents into the alleged scheme.
According to KTSM 9 News, an affidavit filed by DPS says club ownership was aware that dancers were offering sexual intercourse to agents in exchange for money. The affidavit states that agents observed staff collecting, distributing and managing unknown amounts of U.S. currency tied to the alleged prostitution activity, with staff reportedly gathering that cash in the club's front desk area.
How the Alleged Scheme Operated
Per the affidavit, brothel staff allegedly charged entrance fees and condom fees to patrons and provided VIP bracelets granting access to a back room where the alleged prostitution took place. Agents reported that dancers offered intercourse for fees up to $500 inside that VIP room. The station's report notes dancers told agents they gave a portion of their fees to “the house” and would return to the room with a condom provided by staff.
Dancers also allegedly indicated they knew the club's owners were aware of the activity taking place inside, according to the same account. The complaint reportedly listed 15 people in connection with the investigation, though jail records cited by the station showed eight individuals arrested from Montana Hideaway Gentleman's Club on charges related to prostitution and engaging in organized criminal activity. A separate search-result snippet attributed to the same outlet put the arrest total at nine, so the exact number remains unclear pending confirmation.
Who Was Charged
Jose Jesus Lopez was charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution and engaging in organized criminal activity, per the report. Maria Almanza faced a charge of engaging in organized criminal activity, while Berenice Chavira was charged with engaging in organized activity and prostitution, and Sulennis Martinez, Lisa Pamela Garciagodoy, Gretel Yanet Barcenas Cruz, Amy Montes and Melissa Sanchez Licea were each charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and prostitution. Maribel Talamantes was charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution and prostitution.
Part of a Broader Pattern in West Texas
The Montana Hideaway case follows other recent prostitution investigations in the region. A Texas Department of Public Safety news release describes a separate West Texas operation in October in which nine people were arrested on a range of charges including prostitution, aggravated promotion of prostitution and engaging in organized criminal activity, after co-conspirators allegedly advertised victims online and transported them to locations around El Paso. Another DPS investigation months earlier, in August 2025, drew assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the El Paso Police Department, U.S. Army CID and the District Attorney's Office for the 34th Judicial District, according to a DPS search-result summary.
El Paso has seen other strip club prostitution cases in recent years, though under different circumstances. A February 2020 raid of Darlington Hideaway, which had operated for years at a location later occupied by Outskirts Gentlemen's Club, turned up illicit drugs and found the business serving alcohol without a license, KVIA reported. By June 2021, officials accused Outskirts owner Mario Josue Escajeda of human trafficking and said four victims had been rescued; KVIA reported he faced charges including aggravated promotion of prostitution and selling alcohol without a permit or license. That case involved different allegations than the Montana Hideaway complaint and is not evidence of wrongdoing at the East El Paso club.
The evidence reviewed does not include a response from Montana Hideaway's owners, staff or attorneys, nor does it establish the current case status, pleas or court outcomes for those named in the complaint.
