Mission bar closed down after sex trafficking sting
MISSION — State alcohol inspectors have closed down a Mission bar implicated in an alleged sex trafficking operation earlier this year.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission revoked the beer and wine license for El Paraiso Night Club on Wednesday, two months after its owner was accused of pimping three underage undocumented immigrants to his customers.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Beleal Garcia Gonzalez, 34, in January on allegations he arranged for the Honduran minors to be smuggled into the United States then forced them to work in his bar for $20 a day until they paid off their smuggling debts ranging from $4,000 to $4,500.
Garcia’s girlfriend — Maria Luisa Vasquez Garcia, 19 — and a bartender — Elizabeth Mendez Vasquez, 22 — were also arrested for allegedly guarding the girls during their off hours.
All three remain in federal custody on charges of conspiracy and harboring illegal immigrants. Garcia faces three additional counts of sex trafficking.
The bar — located on Bentsen Palm Drive just south of 5 Mile Line — first opened in September 2008, according to commission records.
