Executive Summary
- The Boss Lady Pub in Socorro has been closed for one year following a nuisance abatement lawsuit.
- Undercover TABC agents documented prostitution and restrictions on dancers’ movements, a potential trafficking indicator.
- Business owner Maria Elena Olvera was ordered to post a $9,000 bond; the property owner agreed to eviction.
- The establishment lacked the required city permit to operate as a sexually oriented business.
SOCORRO, Texas — A Socorro establishment has been permanently shuttered following a court order stemming from a multi-agency investigation into alleged human trafficking and prostitution, according to the El Paso County Attorney’s Office.
448th District Judge Sergio Enriquez signed a permanent injunction this week against the Boss Lady Pub, located at 11400 East Gateway Blvd. The court order officially declares the establishment a common nuisance and mandates its closure for one year, the maximum duration permitted under Texas law. Additionally, business owner Maria Elena Olvera has been ordered to post a $9,000 bond and pay court costs within 20 days.
The legal action, initiated by County Attorney Christina Sanchez, was prompted by undercover operations conducted by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). According to investigators, dancers at the venue were restricted from leaving the premises during work hours, a condition authorities identified as a potential indicator of human trafficking. TABC agents also documented five instances of prostitution and four incidents involving employees illegally soliciting drinks from customers.
The investigation further revealed that the bar was operating as a sexually oriented business without the necessary permit from the City of Socorro. In a statement regarding the closure, County Attorney Sanchez credited the result to close collaboration between the TABC’s Special Investigations Unit, the El Paso Sheriff’s Office, and the Paso del Norte Center of Hope.
“Their commitment to uncovering these violations and protecting vulnerable individuals sends a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated in El Paso County,” Sanchez stated. The closure follows a settlement agreement reached in December 2025 with the property owner, Carolina Gonzalez, who agreed to evict the business owners and prevent the bar from reopening on the premises.
Civil Enforcement Strategy
This case illustrates the strategic use of civil nuisance abatement statutes to dismantle infrastructure facilitating vice crimes when criminal prosecution may be complex or ongoing. By securing a temporary or permanent injunction, authorities can immediately cease operations at venues suspected of harboring trafficking rings, effectively removing the immediate public threat while criminal investigations proceed. It is important to note that while the business has been sanctioned through civil court, all individuals named in connection with the investigation are presumed innocent of any criminal charges until proven guilty in a court of law.
