Over 20 Arrests and Four Victims Rescued in January Human Trafficking Operations in Permian Basin
In a series of human trafficking operations conducted throughout the Permian Basin in January 2025, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) made over 20 arrests and rescued four victims. These operations, which took place during Human Trafficking Prevention Month, were the result of collaboration among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies targeting those seeking to exploit trafficking victims.
Assisting DPS in these operations were the FBI, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Midland Police Department, Odessa Police Department, Midland County Sheriff’s Office, and several other local law enforcement agencies.
The following individuals were arrested for solicitation of prostitution, a state jail felony:
- Jacob Urena, 26 (Oklahoma)
- Julian Asbiel Hernandez, 27 (Texas)
- Jason Lutkenhaus, 42 (Texas)
- Kenneth Kuethe, 69 (Texas)
- Gayton Rodriguez, 29 (Mexico)
- Raymond Ford, 61 (Oklahoma)
- Dennis Ruhmann, 53 (Texas)
- John Bishop, 56 (Texas)
- Brandon Lopez, 30 (Texas)
- Miguel Rostro, 34 (Texas)
- Larry Rodriguez, 31 (Texas)
- Jeffrey Wilson, 56 (Texas)
- Jason Flowers, 49 (Texas)
- Evan Palmer, 18 (Texas)
- Fernando Cardosa, 40 (Texas)
In addition to these arrests, DPS Special Agents, working with the FBI and Midland Police, rescued a victim of sex trafficking and arrested Kimberly Rodriguez, 34, and Jayde Guerrero, 21, both of Texas, for sex trafficking.
Further operations included the arrest of Botero Hernandez, 27, of Columbia, for sexual assault of a child, and Leiwin Lara-Hernandez, 23, and Cleyret Pacheco-Peraza, both of Cuba, for aggravated sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography.
DPS’s victim-centered approach to combating human trafficking was critical in rescuing four victims, aged 16 months, 7, 18, and 23. The operation emphasized not only the investigation and prosecution of traffickers but also the safety and stabilization of the victims.
Anyone with information regarding human trafficking is urged to report it to authorities.
