Massive Human Trafficking Ring Shut Down in West Texas by DPS

After spending a year investigating what authorities believed to be a massive human trafficking ring in West Texas, the efforts of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) have finally paid off.

Human Trafficking Ring in West Texas Busted

According to the recent news release from DPS, investigators discovered a massive network of human traffickers with an influence reaching from Cuba through Central America and into El Paso—a distance of over 1,600 miles.

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Investigators then learned the tragic truth: women smuggled into the U.S. were forced into prostitution in order to pay their smugglers. These victims were advertised by people online selling these women and transporting them to their “buyers.”

Nine People Arrested in Human Trafficking Bust

DPS agents arrested a total of nine people who were involved in a long list of criminal charges, including the following:

ProstitutionAggravated promotion of prostitutionOnline promotion of prostitutionPossession of a controlled substanceAlien inadmissibilitySolicitation of prostitutionEngaging in organized criminal activity

In a shocking turn of events, one person who was arrested was actually an attorney who was accused of soliciting women for sexual acts with clients.

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The attorney was booked into the El Paso County Jail, along with two others who were charged with promotion of prostitution and possession of a controlled substance.

As of October 31, the investigation remains ongoing from Texas DPS.

7 Texas Most Wanted Fugitives Captured in October 2025These 7 Texas Most Wanted fugitives were apprehended in October 2025. Here are the details of each fugitive’s capture and why they were wanted. Gallery Credit: Danny Merrell Texas DPSDerrick FlowersDerrick Van Flowers, a Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender, was captured on October 1, 2025, in Houston. Working off investigative information, Texas DPS Special Agents assigned to the Houston TAG Violent Crimes Squad coordinated with THP Troopers assigned to the Violent Crimes Unit to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Flowers. Following the traffic stop, he was taken into custody without incident. In 2008, Flowers was convicted of Sexual Assault of a Child following an incident with a 15-year-old girl. In 2010, he was convicted of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Requirements. He had been wanted since April 2025, when a warrant was issued out of Harris County for his arrest for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Requirements. Texas DPSSpencer GironSpencer Mandell Giron, a Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender, was captured on October 8, 2025, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Working off investigative information, Texas DPS Special Agents from Beaumont coordinated with the Lake Charles Police Department regarding his possible whereabouts, ultimately resulting in the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducting a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Giron. Following the traffic stop, he was taken into custody without incident In 1998, Giron was convicted of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child following an incident with a 13-year-old girl. He was subsequently sentenced to 11 years confinement. In 2017, Giron was convicted federally of Dangerous Drugs and subsequently sentenced to 4 years federal confinement. He had been wanted since June 2025, when a warrant was issued for his arrest out of Jefferson County for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Requirements. Texas DPSKendrick TaylorKendrick Kevon Taylor, a documented Crips gang member and Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive, was captured on October 22, 2025, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by the U.S. Marshals Service Northern Oklahoma Violent Crimes Task Force. Taylor had been wanted since August 23, 2025, when a warrant was issued out of Lubbock County for his arrest for Murder following his alleged involvement in a shooting incident that occurred on August 18, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. At the time of the shooting, he was on parole from a prior Aggravated Robbery conviction. On August 26, 2025, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles issued a warrant for Taylor’s arrest for Parole Violation (Original Offense: Aggravated Robbery). Texas DPSDante OdomDante Dewayne Odom, a Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender, was captured on October 9, 2025, in Houston. Following up on tip information received, DPS Special Agents, along with THP Troopers and the Texas Attorney General’s Office, located and arrested Odom at his place of employment. In 1992, Odom was convicted of Burglary of Habitation with the Intent to Violate/Abuse the Victim Sexually following an incident with a 30-year-old female. He was subsequently sentenced to 12 years confinement. He has also been convicted multiple times in the past for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Requirements and Assault Causes Bodily Injury to a Family Member. Odom had been wanted since June 2025, when a warrant was issued out of Harris County for his arrest for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Requirements.His arrest WAS the result of tip information received through Texas Crime Stoppers, so a reward will be paid. Texas DPSTyler PalmerTyler Lee Palmer, a Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive, was captured on October 23, 2025, in Wichita Falls, Texas. Working off investigative information, DPS Special Agents located and arrested Palmer at a motel. In 2021, he was convicted of four counts of Aggravated Assault Causes Serious Bodily Injury and subsequently sentenced to 5 years’ probation for each offense. In 2022, he was convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance and subsequently sentenced to 3 years’ probation. Palmer had been wanted since May 2025, when a warrant was issued out of Wichita County for his arrest for Probation Violation (Original Offenses: Aggravated Assault Causes Serious Bodily Injury (x4) and Possession of a Controlled Substance). Texas DPSRyan LewisRyan Cade Lewis, a Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive, was captured on October 15, 2025, in Milano, Texas, located in Milam County. Working off investigative information, DPS Special Agents from Bryan, in coordination with the Milam County Sheriff’s Office, located and arrested Lewis in a parking lot in Milano In 2022, he was convicted in Freestone County of two counts of Theft of a Firearm and subsequently sentenced to 5 years’ probation. In January 2025, he was arrested in Freestone County for Sexual Assault of a Child and subsequently released on bond on a later date. Lewis had been wanted since April 2025, when a warrant was issued out of Leon County for his arrest for two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.. Texas DPSTommie KellyTommie Delamont Kelly, a Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender, was captured on October 22, 2025, in Houston. Working off investigative information, DPS Special Agents, along with THP and the Texas Attorney General’s Office, located and arrested Kelly working at a car wash business. In 2011, Kelly was convicted of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child following an incident with a 12-year-old girl. He was subsequently sentenced to 11 years confinement. He had been wanted since May 2025, when a warrant was issued out of Harris County for his arrest for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Requirements. Texas Police Codes with DescriptionsEver wondered what police officers were saying to each other in their secret language? Well, not anymore! Here is the full list of all police codes used by Texas DPS, according to The RadioReference Wiki. Gallery Credit: Nick Canva10-1Canva10-2Canva10-3Canva10-4Canva10-5Canva10-6Canva10-7Canva10-8Canva10-9Canva10-10Canva10-1110-1210-13Canva10-14Canva10-1510-16Canva10-17Canva10-1810-1910-2010-2110-2210-23Canva10-24Canva10-2510-26Canva10-2710-2810-3010-3110-32Canva10-3310-3410-3510-3610-3710-38Canva10-3910-4010-4110-4210-4310-4410-4510-4610-4710-4810-4910-5010-5110-5210-5410-5510-5610-5910-6010-66Canva10-70Canva10-71Canva10-7210-73Canva10-7410-7510-7710-7910-8010-81Canva10-8510-8610-8910-9010-9110-9210-9310-9410-9510-9610-9710-9810-995 Best Horror Movies Filmed In TexasMovies Filmed In And/Or Set In Texas Gallery Credit: Dubba G AmazonThe Texas Chainsaw MassacreSaid to be somewhat based on the crimes of Ed Gein, it didn’t really happen but was filmed around Austin, Bastrop and Round Rock. AmazonRace With The DevilFrom 1975, 2 Texas couples go on vacation from San Antonio and stumble on a Satanic cult. Filmed all around San Antonio. AmazonThe Town That Dreaded SundownBased on a true story about mysterious murders in the mid 1940’s in Texarkana. The murderer was never caught. AmazonThe SwarmKiller bees killing Texans in Houston. Some scenes filmed in H Town. AmazonGrindhouse: Planet Terror/Death ProofThe 70’s vibe is fake, otherwise, I don’t know how to sum this one up. It’s 2 different movies featuring lunatics, radio DJ’s, zombies and a chick with a machine gun for a leg.