Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
The FBI is investigating whether middle school and high school students throughout El Paso are part of an underage prostitution ring, the El Paso Times reports.
The probe focuses on Ysleta Independent School District, which was notified of the probe beginning in December 2012.
“Due to student confidentiality laws, the Ysleta Independent School District is prohibited from disclosing specific details of the alleged underage prostitution ring currently under investigation by the FBI,” YISD officials said in a statement. “However, officials at Ysleta High School were notified in December 2012 that an investigation into underage prostitution was under way at local middle and high schools.”
The news comes just days after claims that a 16-year-old Ysleta High School student was used as a prostitute on the website Backpage.
“At that time, the FBI requested that Ysleta High School officials not discuss the matter with anyone, including district administration,” the YISD statement said. “After this meeting with the FBI, Ysleta High School officials were approached by the student for assistance with issues outside of the investigation that cannot be disclosed. No other details are available at this time, YISD will continue to cooperate fully with local law enforcement agencies in their investigation.”
