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A joint operation between Fort Worth police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security resulted in two arrests related to a nightclub that was allegedly operating as a sexually oriented business without the proper permits and zoning.<\/p>\n
According to city records, Masquerade Cabaret at 8116 Camp Bowie West Blvd. received a certificate of occupancy in October to operate as a bar. But in a letter sent Feb. 18, the City of Fort Worth accused the club\u2019s owners of allowing employees to work \u201cin a state of nudity,\u201d which is not permissible under the location\u2019s current zoning, nor is it allowed under the business\u2019 certificate of occupancy.<\/p>\n
In the letter, the Masquerade\u2019s owners, Margerie Franklin, 43, and Trent Craff, 43, were told their employees would have to be \u201csufficiently clothed\u201d for the establishment to remain open. The city also accused Franklin and Craff of obtaining their certificate of occupancy under false pretenses, with the intention of running it as a strip club.<\/p>\n
Franklin and Craff were warned if they didn\u2019t comply with city ordinances<\/a>, they could be fined and have their certificate of occupancy revoked.<\/p>\n The Star-Telegram was unable to reach Franklin or Craff for comment.<\/p>\n Court records show Franklin and Craff were arrested Feb. 18, the same day the letter from the city went out. Both face misdemeanor charges of violating municipal and county regulations. An arrest warrant affidavit was not immediately available, but a March 3 post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Homeland Security Investigations<\/a> office in Dallas alleged gang activity, prostitution and illegal alcohol sales at the Masquerade. The post also referenced a shooting that allegedly occurred at the club in January.<\/p>\n .HSI Dallas, w\/ @fortworthpd<\/a>, arrested 2 individuals for operating a sexually oriented business w\/o a license. \u2014 HSI Dallas (@HSI_Dallas) March 3, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n A message left for Craff\u2019s attorney was not returned. An attorney for Franklin was not listed in court records.<\/p>\n A Fort Worth police spokesperson said a fight broke out at the Masquerade on Jan. 22 and that someone was allegedly assaulted. It\u2019s unclear if there was gunfire, and the police spokesperson did not provide additional information. A Homeland Security spokesperson said she was looking into the case but did not have details.<\/p>\n Tarrant County court records showed no prior arrests for Franklin. There were 15 charges against Craff in the court records, dating back to 2002. In February, he received a deferred sentence contingent on two years of community supervision for the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.<\/p>\n In the X post, Homeland Security Investigations said the Masquerade Cabaret had permanently closed. But a spokesperson for the City of Fort Worth said the club still had its certificate of occupancy as of March 4.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/p>\n
The Masquerade Cabaret, linked to gang activity, prostitution, illegal alcohol sales & a January 2026 shooting, has been permanently shut down. pic.twitter.com\/c0Yh6Ry053<\/a><\/p>\n
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