HONDURAN NATIONALS INDICTED FOR SEX TRAFFICKING AND PROSTITUTION OFFENSES

United States Attorney Kurt Wall announced that a federal grand jury recently returned a five-count indictment charging Jesus Lopez, age 45, Zaira Lopez-Oliva, age 24, Kirsis Castellanos-Kirington, age 30, with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, sex trafficking, and coercing and enticing another to travel interstate for prostitution. Each defendant is a Honduran national that is present in the United States without authorization. They appeared for their arraignments and pled not guilty to the pending charges.

According to the criminal complaint that preceded the indictment, between May 2023 and continuing through October 9, 2025, the defendants used WhatsApp to send photographs of scantily clad women of various nationalities, advertising that they were available for commercial sex acts. They are also alleged to have transported young women from the New Orleans Airport back to the Middle District of Louisiana in furtherance of the sex trafficking operation. The defendants also created a “menu” advertisement on social media to solicit customers for commercial sex acts with those females. The females were allegedly threatened and feared harm if they left the apartments where the commercial sex acts took place. 

If convicted of the sex trafficking charges, each defendant faces a minimum of fifteen years and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. They are also subject to removal or deportation from the United States upon completing any sentences imposed.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security—Homeland Security Investigations, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward H. Warner, who also serves as Deputy Criminal Chief, Assistant United States Attorney Stephen R. Vick, Jr., and Special Assistant United States Attorney Allen Ross. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.