APD: Man charged with operating brothel

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police have arrested a man after they discovered he was running a brothel in north Austin.

Rufino Lopez-Ramos, 51, was arrested after police went undercover and learned that he was the operator of the prostitution house which is located in the 1000 block of North Meadows Dr.

According to APD spokesperson Sgt. Bazzle, police received a tip that women were being forced to engage in prostitution while being held against their will in the house.

On July 7, a human trafficking and vice unit followed up on the tip and performed an undercover welfare check. Based on the observations of the unit, it was determined that the women were willingly participating in acts of prostitution.

The undercover unit also determined that Lopez-Ramos was the overseer of the brothel and was knowingly and intentionally managing the prostitutes.

Officers immediately filed for a search warrant and were quickly approved. A short time later the warrant was executed at the north Austin house and four people, including the suspect, were located inside.

Lopez-Ramos was the only individual arrested. Officers did interview the other three, two women and a man.

Sgt. Bazzle says it is unclear at this time why only one arrest was made but said that the investigation remains open and additional charges are possible.

Police detained Lopez-Ramos for his immigration status and aggravated promotion of prostitution.