Executive Summary
- Judge Sergio Enriquez ordered Boss Lady Pub closed for one year following a civil lawsuit.
- TABC undercover operations allegedly found evidence of prostitution and employees soliciting sex for money.
- Investigators reported signs of human trafficking, noting employees were denied permission to leave the premises.
- The property owner has agreed to evict the business operators to ensure the bar does not reopen.
A district judge in El Paso County has ordered the mandatory closure of Boss Lady Pub in Socorro, Texas, following a lawsuit filed by the County Attorney’s Office alleging the establishment facilitated human trafficking and prostitution. Judge Sergio Enriquez of the 448th District Court signed a permanent injunction on February 4, mandating the business remain closed for one year, the maximum duration permitted under state law.
According to El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez, the closure stems from an investigation by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) which reportedly uncovered evidence of organized criminal activity at the venue located at 11400 East Gateway Blvd. Court filings detail that TABC agents conducted two undercover operations in 2025. During visits on June 12 and September 11, agents allegedly solicited sexual acts from employees in exchange for money. The petition filed by the County Attorney’s Office states that employees also illegally solicited drinks from customers and that the bar lacked the necessary municipal permits to operate as a sexually oriented business.
Investigators highlighted potential indicators of human trafficking within the establishment’s operations. The petition notes an incident where an undercover agent and two employees sought to leave the premises, but a bartender allegedly denied the employees permission, citing orders from a superior. Prosecutors argued this restriction on movement suggested “an unusual amount of control or coercion over the dancers,” indicative of trafficking rather than voluntary employment.
In addition to the injunction, the property owner has reached an agreement with authorities to evict the business operators and prevent the bar from reopening. The investigation remains active, and while the civil nuisance abatement was successful, County Attorney Sanchez confirmed that no criminal charges for human trafficking have been filed at this time.
Civil Enforcement and Public Safety
The utilization of nuisance abatement statutes allows local authorities to swiftly dismantle operations deemed a threat to public safety even while complex criminal investigations continue. By targeting the venue’s ability to operate through civil court, law enforcement disrupts the immediate infrastructure of alleged criminal enterprises. It is important to note that while the business has been closed via civil injunction, no criminal charges have been filed against the individuals involved at this stage, and all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a criminal court of law.
