Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot announced today that Karen Gaona Villegas, 33, has been convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison for Compelling Prostitution of a Child Under 18 Years old. This marks the first successful trafficking prosecution by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office's newly created Human Trafficking Unit.
“This conviction is a powerful example of why we created the Human Trafficking Unit,” said District Attorney John Creuzot. “These cases are complex and deeply traumatic, and they demand focused, specialized attention. I’m incredibly proud of the work our team has done to hold this defendant accountable and to support the survivor throughout this process.”
For several years, Ms. Gaona Villegas trafficked and prostituted her 14-year-old stepdaughter with adult men. Capitalizing on her close maternal connection with the child, Gaona Villegas emotionally coerced and manipulated the victim, employing tactics commonly seen in familial trafficking such as burdening the child with family finances to ensure obedience. She drove the victim to the homes of multiple men, who would then pay Gaona Villegas in money and drugs to sexually assault the child. The defendant also made her own home available for men to sexually assault the victim. This horrific abuse came to light when the victim's younger brother bravely reported it to a school counselor.
The case relied heavily on expert testimony from Dallas Police Department's trafficking expert, Detective Jeff Grandy, and expert therapy testimony from Holly Dotson with the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center. Both experts provided crucial insight into the dark realm of familial trafficking, where exploiters often use close relationships to control victims.
Traffick911 also played a vital role, serving as vigorous advocates for the victim, her brother, and her mother. Genesis Pathak, the victim's Traffick911 advocate, provided unshakeable support throughout the lengthy trial process. The entire Traffick911 team was present daily during the trial to demonstrate their steadfast support to the victim and her family during the stressful proceedings.
The prosecution team included Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Aryanna Bradford, Soni Lewis (Chief of the Human Trafficking Unit), and Summer Elmazi (Chief of the Crimes Against Children Division). They were supported by Investigators Raphael Vela, Walter Clifton Jr., Natarsha Price, and Victim Advocates Nathaly Mendez and Roquel Mayhorn. The Dallas Police Department, the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Traffick911 Team worked cohesively to seek justice for the victim.
“This case shows the impact of having experienced prosecutors, investigators, and victim advocates working together. I commend our entire team for their commitment and professionalism in pursuing justice in such a difficult case,” remarked DA Creuzot.
About the Human Trafficking Unit
The dedicated Human Trafficking Unit of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office was launched in January 2025 under the leadership DA John Creuzot. This effort is made possible through a $207,520 grant from the Office of the Governor that funds a specialized prosecutor who focuses solely on adult and child human trafficking cases. The team consists of a prosecutor, an investigator, and a victim advocate, creating a multidisciplinary approach designed to improve the prosecution of human trafficking crimes and provide critical support for survivors.
