Documents reveal new details about McAllen prostitution bust

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The McAllen Police Department charged two people with prostitution last week after customers provided investigators with key information, including text messages and payment records, according to McAllen Municipal Court documents.

Investigators received a tip about Bliss Spa & Wellness, a business located on the 4300 block of North 10th Street, in August.

Officers assigned to the Special Investigations Unit set up cameras and started conducting surveillance.

On Sept. 16, the cameras recorded Ana Rosa Leticia Cabrera Granados, 39, of Pharr park at Bliss.

“Shortly after, a male client, later identified as WITNESS #1, is seen arriving in his personal vehicle,” according to a probable cause statement filed in the case, “and walks to Bliss, attempting to open the locked door until he is allowed inside.”

An hour later, Witness 1 left Bliss.

Cabrera, meanwhile, locked the door and tossed a white trash bag in a garbage bin.

Investigators recovered the trash bag, which contained baby wipes, a condom wrapper and a used condom.

Witness 1 said he paid $300 to Cabrera, who he knew as “Kim Chow,” for massages and “sexual conduct,” according to a probable cause statement filed in the case.

In his interview, Witness 1 said he made the payments via Zelle, a service that allows bank-to-bank transfers. He also provided investigators with text messages, which documented appointments in July, August and September.

Investigators charged Cabrera with six counts of prostitution, a Class B misdemeanor.

Cabrera remained at the Hidalgo County jail Monday and couldn’t be reached for comment.

Along with Cabrera, police arrested Jassel Mercedes Torres Romero, 44, of McAllen.

On Wednesday, investigators watched Torres park at Bliss. A man, who police identified as Witness 2, had been waiting for her.

“Approximately one hour later, WITNESS #2 is seen exiting Bliss” with Torres, according to a probable cause statement filed in the case.

Officers stopped Witness 2 and questioned him.

Witness 2 said he’d known Torres, who he called “Sophia,” for about four years, according to a probable cause statement filed in the case, and paid her $500 for “appointments” that involved sexual activity.

Investigators charged Torres with one count of prostitution, a Class B misdemeanor.

Officers arrested Torres during a traffic stop on Thursday. When they searched her car, police discovered a pistol in the center console.

Torres said “the firearm belonged to her husband,” according to a federal criminal complaint against her, “and he left it in her possession while he was traveling.”

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives charged Torres with unlawful possession of a firearm by a person with no legal status in the United States.

Her attorney couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Monday afternoon.