Three indicted in Baton Rouge sex trafficking ring

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Three Honduran citizens were indicted by a grand jury after being accused of operating a sex ring in Baton Rouge, according to federal court documents.

Zaira Lopez-Oliva, 23, Jesus Lopez, 45, and Kirsis Castellanos-Kirington, 30, were identified as the suspects involved in an alleged sex trafficking operation. The trio was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, two counts of sex trafficking, and two counts of coercing and enticing another to travel interstate for prostitution.

Documents state that detectives with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office were notified of possible human trafficking at a home on Aster Street in August 2024. It was believed that women and juveniles were allegedly being forced to engage in commercial sex acts.

Investigators learned that Lopez would reportedly send photos of women, advertising sexual acts via WhatsApp. Further investigation revealed that a second home, located on Nicholson Drive, was used in the alleged crimes. Detectives said the activity was consistent with a human-trafficking operation.

While conducting surveillance, authorities performed traffic stops of individuals who left the Aster Street location. All occupants admitted to engaging in sexual activities in exchange for money.

On Oct. 14, 2025, EBRSO detectives were granted a search warrant for the phone number associated with WhatsApp and discovered the number was tied to a Baton Rouge address. After investigating, detectives found a 2023 police report of sex trafficking tied to the Aster Street home and a phone number used by Lopez.

Detectives obtained a pen trap and a trace warrant to pinpoint the location of the cell phone. The trace led detectives to an apartment on Stan Avenue, which belonged to Lopez, who used the name Pedro Varga as an alias.

In December 2024, detectives learned that Lopez was moving his operation from Aster Street to an unknown location. EBRSO detectives went to the home on Aster Street and saw Lopez dropping off suspects, Castellanos-Kirington and Lopez-Oliva.

According to court documents, Lopez’s vehicle traveled to New Orleans to the Louis Armstrong International Airport, picked up an unidentified woman, and returned to Baton Rouge. The next day, he returned to the airport. Detectives believe that Lopez was picking up and dropping off women who were victims of the alleged human trafficking operation.

On Feb. 21, 2025, detectives saw Lopez and Lopez-Oliva arrive at the Nicholson apartment and shortly after, head to a Chase Bank ATM. On July 2, 2025, detectives also saw Lopez and Lopez-Oliva enter the apartment and stay for no longer than two minutes. Investigators believed they were picking up cash from women inside the apartment.

On Sept. 25, 2025, detectives used a confidential informant to get direct evidence linking the trio to a sex trafficking ring.

By Oct. 9, 2025, after Lopez, Lopez-Oliva, and Castellanos-Kirington were arrested, the three were transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities.

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