Andrew Hanen Courtroom

Criminal Justice

Woman who ran former Houston bar Puerto Alegre pleads guilty to sex trafficking crimes

Posted on · Maria Dolores Botello-Morales, 56, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, sex trafficking of minors and sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, according to federal court records. Some of her relatives face similar charges.

Town Square

A conversation on human and sex trafficking – What are the signs? Why is Houston a main hub?

Posted on · Today, in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we focus on human and sex trafficking, where we talk with local experts and one survivor-turned author and advocate.

Houston Matters

The Value Of Presidential Visits After A Disaster (Feb. 26, 2021)

Posted on · On Friday's show: Pres. Joe Biden is visiting Houston today in the wake of last week’s massive power and water outages. We discuss the value of post-disaster presidential visits. Plus: Providing trauma counseling for victims of sex trafficking, and celebrating 50 years of The Rothko Chapel.

Houston Matters

Sold Out: Texas Tribune Investigates Sex Trafficking in Texas

Posted on · A new project from The Texas Tribune is the result of a months-long investigation looking at sex trafficking across Texas. The project is called Sold Out: How the crusade against sex trafficking in Texas has left child victims behind. We learn more about the report’s findings — and how Houston plays into the larger network […]

Full Show

Sex Trafficking Across Texas, and Political Roundup: Wednesday’s Show (February 15, 2017)

Posted on · A new project from The Texas Tribune is the result of several months of investigation looking at sex trafficking across Texas. The project is called Sold Out: How the crusade against sex trafficking in Texas has left child victims behind. On this edition of Houston Matters, we learn more about the report’s findings — and […]

Houston Matters

Houston Hosts National Conference on Sexual Exploitation

Posted on · Beginning Thursday (Sept. 29, 2016), the National Center on Sexual Exploitation is holding a three-day summit in Houston covering efforts to combat sexual exploitation in several forms: pornography, sex trafficking, sexual violence, child abuse and objectification. We learn more about the summit – and efforts to combat sexual exploitation in Greater Houston and beyond – […]