Share and Follow
Three individuals believed to be in the United States illegally have been accused of orchestrating a sex trafficking network in Louisiana, where they allegedly used WhatsApp to present a “menu” of women to potential clients, some as young as 18, according to federal prosecutors.
Zaira Lopez-Oliva, Kirsis Castellanos-Kirington, and Jesus Lopez, who is also referred to as “El Perro,” were apprehended in October. They are accused of running the illicit operation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The FBI was alerted when a source provided them with screenshots from WhatsApp conversations with El Perro. These messages reportedly included images of women in revealing clothing being offered for sexual services, as detailed in court filings. Prosecutors claim that the victims were coerced into performing sexual acts for payments ranging from $40 to $60.
Castellanos-Kirington and Lopez-Oliva are said to have assisted Lopez in various aspects of the trafficking scheme.
Authorities observed Lopez-Oliva and Lopez traveling in a pickup truck near the New Orleans Airport. (DOJ)
Prosecutors said Lopez-Oliva helped Lopez transport victims to and from the New Orleans Airport. In one surveillance video screenshot shared by the Department of Justice, prosecutors said Lopez-Oliva was seen inside a pickup truck with Lopez near the New Orleans Airport.
Castellanos-Kirington and Lopez-Oliva both helped Lopez “maintain the operation” at the two locations in Baton Rouge when he was unable to, the documents state.
The complaint detailed that clients of the sex trafficking ring were anywhere from 18 to 60 years old.
Zaira Lopez-Oliva and Kirsis Castellanos-Kirington allegedly entering an apartment. (DOJ)
When federal agents raided the house where the operation was based, one of the victims said she was in financial trouble and got Lopez’s contact information from a friend, prosecutors said. She was allegedly informed when she arrived in Louisiana that she’d be performing sex acts for male clients. Two of the victims interviewed were also illegal immigrants.
The female victim allegedly told prosecutors that she wouldn’t be paid at all on Mondays and Tuesdays, and would only get to keep $20 if a client paid $40, with the rest going to Lopez.
Zaira Lopez-Oliva as seen at a gas station. (DOJ)
One of the victims also told investigators that she “was not allowed to leave or tell anyone what she was doing,” and if she told anyone, Lopez would “kill her.”
All three suspects are charged with sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion as well as aiding and abetting.