Dallas, TX
How did a known pimp walk free in Dallas sex trafficking case?
The family of a girl who disappeared from a Dallas Mavericks game and was later found forced into prostitution rightfully has many questions about why the man she left with that night was cleared by a grand jury.
We have questions, too. And they’re compounded by our discovery that the man, Emanuel Jose Cartagena, 34, has twice before been charged in similar cases. A 2015 Harris County case of compelling prostitution of an underage person was dismissed, records show. But that was only after his conviction in a 2016 case of promotion of prostitution of a person under the age of 18, a second-degree felony.
Records show Cartagena was placed on two years’ probation in 2018 for that case; that was extended for one year at least once. The details weren’t immediately available, but the case was closed in February 2022, just two months before the North Richland Hills girl went missing from American Airlines Center while watching the basketball game with her father.
He reported her disappearance after she went to the bathroom and didn’t return. Surveillance video showed her leaving with Cartagena, and police later said he took her to a Dallas home and sexually assaulted her. She was found 10 days later in an Oklahoma City hotel after illicit photos advertising her for sex were found online.
Others involved in her trafficking have since been convicted on various charges in that state. But only Cartagena was charged locally, and he faced just one charge of sexual assault of a child. He was no-billed on Oct. 30.
Her family’s attorney, Zeke Fortenberry, understandably outraged, makes a compelling point for local justice: “A 15-year-old girl with no phone, wallet, ID or car doesn’t end up in Oklahoma unless she’s trafficked. And the first domino of that event … occurs in Dallas.” He said the family believes both police and prosecutors botched the case.
Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot told us “this office reviewed all of the evidence that was presented to the grand jury, and we are confident that any possible criminal offenses were presented.” But the family and the public deserve a fuller explanation in this high-profile case, which is every parent’s nightmare. More could be said without treading on laws preserving grand jury secrecy.
Creuzot also said that prosecutors followed his general policy of not recommending an indictment to a grand juriy. We can’t help but wonder if that was a mistake.
We know a suspect’s prior offenses typically aren’t admissible before grand juries. But prosecutors surely would have known of Cartagena’s criminal background and could have pushed for an indictment.
The victim by law was too young to consent to sex with Cartagena. How not even a sexual assault case, let alone a trafficking one, moved forward is at once both heartbreaking and troubling — and deserves more explanation.
We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com
Dallas, TX
Dallas weather: Flash flooding strands vehicles near DFW Airport after heavy rain
DALLAS – Slow-moving thunderstorms brought localized flash flooding to parts of North Texas on Tuesday evening, blocking highways near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and dropping several inches of rain in portions of Tarrant and Parker counties.
Flash Flood Warnings
Local perspective:
Flash flood warnings are in effect for Hopkins, Hunt, Rains and Van Zandt counties until 7:45 p.m.
Flooding was reported along Texas 183 near Valley View Lane south of DFW Airport, where stranded vehicles and water-covered roadways created hazardous travel conditions.
A flash flood warning remained in effect near the airport, although rainfall rates had begun to diminish as the storm weakened.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
The National Weather Service also issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northern Hood County, citing the potential for gusty winds and small hail. Forecasters reported hail ranging from pea-sized to marble-sized in parts of Hood, Parker and Denton counties.
Forecasters attributed the weakening storms in Denton County to an outflow boundary, a meteorological feature that can disrupt thunderstorm development.
The warning area was reduced as the storm weakened near sunset.
LIVE RADAR
What they’re saying:
FOX 4’s Kylie Capps said the storms moved unusually slowly from east to west, allowing heavy rain to accumulate over the same areas for several hours.
Rainfall estimates showed some locations in eastern Parker County and western Tarrant County received nearly 5 inches of rain during a six-hour period, while areas near DFW Airport recorded more than 2 inches.
Elsewhere in North Texas, northern Rains County received nearly 5 inches of rain.
7-Day Forecast
What’s next:
Forecasters expect a quieter overnight period, with only isolated showers lingering into the evening. Additional thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon, though coverage and the threat of severe weather are expected to remain limited.
Temperatures are forecast to reach about 90 degrees Wednesday.
Rain chances are expected to continue through the remainder of the workweek and into the weekend as an upper-level low-pressure system sends multiple disturbances across North Texas.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by FOX 4’s Weather Team
Dallas, TX
Dallas Cowboys’ Path To NFC East Crown Gets Easier After June 1 NFL Trade Frenzy
Monday was a wild day for the NFL with two blockbuster trades. First was Myles Garrett, who both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles were rumored to have interest in.
Cowboys fans never bought into these rumors, knowing that Jerry Jones was unlikely to make such an investment. The Eagles, however, have been known to get aggressive. Thankfully for Dallas fans, they didn’t make the move as the Cleveland Browns sent Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse and a package of picks.
Not long after that trade was finalized, the Eagles did wind up making a trade. After months of speculation surrounding A.J. Brown and the New England Patriots, the two sides made it official as Brown was reunited with Mike Vrabel in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder.
Dallas Cowboys could take the NFC East crown in 2026
The writing has been on the wall all offseason regarding Brown, who has been unhappy with the Eagles for a while. His departure seemed confirmed when they traded up with Dallas in the 2026 NFL draft for USC receiver Makai Lemon.
While Lemon has the tools to be a difference-maker, he won’t be able to perform at the same level as Brown during his rookie season. The Eagles do still have DeVonta Smith at receiver as well as running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts.
That said, there’s no denying that they’re weaker this season than they were with Brown. Just as important, however, is the fact that general manager Howie Roseman didn’t pull off a shocking move for Garrett, which would have made them the overwhelming favorites in the division.
Cowboys chances hinge on defensive changes
Another reason the Cowboys are confident they can hang with Philadelphia this season is the presence of Christian Parker, who they hired as their defensive coordinator after he spent the past two seasons as the passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach with the Eagles.
Parker brings in a new scheme and plenty of confidence, but more importantly, he has several new weapons at his disposal. Dallas traded for veterans Rashan Gary and Dee Winters, signed Jalen Thompson and Cobie Durant, and selected Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence in the draft.
Those are just some of the moves they made on defense, and they’re banking on that to be enough to help propel them past the team that has won the division the past two seasons.
— Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter for more free coverage from Dallas Cowboys on SI —
Follow
Dallas, TX
Here’s To You: Class of 2026 grads
FOX 4’s Clarice Tinsley celebrates the following members of the Class of 2026: Zavion Berry, Demi Glenn, Peyton Jankowski, Brynnah Stone, Bailee Swilling and Caroline Woahloe.
-
Kentucky5 minutes ago
UK Healthcare prepares to become Kentucky’s only Level 2 special pathogen treatment center
-
Louisiana8 minutes agoHeart of Louisiana: Civilian Conservation Corps
-
Maine13 minutes agoOpinion: Owen McCarthy offers Maine Republicans real change
-
Maryland20 minutes agoMaryland Dem lawmaker runs taxpayer-funded nonprofit with audit struggles
-
Michigan23 minutes agoResidents in Taylor, Michigan, fight against possible rezoning
-
Massachusetts28 minutes agoMassachusetts high school under investigation after teachers diagnosed with breast cancer
-
Minnesota35 minutes agoMedical services in limbo for thousands of providers amid Minnesota fraud crisis
-
Mississippi38 minutes agoMississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for June 2, 2026