EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez announced Friday, Sept. 20 that her office is seeking to shut down Chicas Locas, formerly known as Jaguars Gold Club, alleging violations of a previous settlement agreement with the business.
The County Attorney’s Office filed a “notice of violation” against RCI Holdings, the company that owns Chicas Locas formerly known as Jaguars, just a day after the grand opening of the new establishment, according to a news release.
In the lawsuit, which was included in the news release, the State and the County Attorney’s Office are asking that the owners forfeit a $5,000 bond and close their business for a year.
The County Attorney’s Office also alleges that eight violations of the City’s fire code were recently found on the premesis and that the business has violated the previous agreement by advertising itself as a “strip club” and branding their new establishment as the “No. 1 rated Latin Strip Club.”
As we previously reported, the County Attorney’s Office initially filed a suit against Jaguars in February for violations of the state liquor laws and other alleged misconduct.
The lawsuit alleged that the establishment was a common nuisance due to habitual criminal activity occurring at the club, including the “sale of alcohol without a permit or license, prostitution, narcotics trafficking and disorderly conduct.”
Law enforcement received over 750 calls for service at the establishment from January 2018 to December 2023, according to the news release.
The County Attorney’s Office said the lawsuit resulted in a settlement on March 19 that ultimately forced the establishment to close down.
However, the agreement did allow the owners to open a new establishment at the same location under a different name with the requirement to apply for a liquor license and under the condition that they do not operate as a sexually oriented business (SOB).
“The order sets out reasonable requirements for any new business to operate at the 11377 Gateway Blvd. property, and some requirements were to be met prior to a business operating on the property. The County’s pleading sets out what it believes to be violations of the court’s order, and the County will ask for a hearing on the matter,” read the news release.
The County Attorney’s Office said they requested a hearing date, but a date for the hearing has not been set yet.
“The County Attorney’s Office believes it is important to ensure that businesses are operating in compliance with the law and with the safety of the community in mind,” Sanchez said. “Our office is committed to ensuring that businesses operate lawfully and do not contribute to activities that could jeopardize public safety.”
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