Sex Trafficking Survivor Sues Lubbock, Amarillo Red Roof Inn Motels

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A sex trafficking survivor has filed a federal lawsuit against the Lubbock and Amarillo Red Roof Inn motels, alleging that the hotels and their owners knowingly benefited from and ignored clear signs of sex trafficking occurring on their premises between 2013 and 2018.

Why it matters

This lawsuit highlights the growing problem of sex trafficking in the hotel industry and the responsibility of hotel operators to train staff and take action when they encounter suspicious activity. It also underscores the trauma experienced by victims of human trafficking and the need for greater awareness and action to combat this issue.

The details

According to the lawsuit, the victim, identified as Jane Doe, was trafficked by two men between 2013 and 2018, with the traffickers repeatedly using the Red Roof Inn locations in Lubbock (now the Regency Inn) and Amarillo. The lawsuit claims the hotels were chosen because staff regularly ignored 'obvious and pervasive' signs of ongoing trafficking, such as paying with cash or prepaid cards, high volumes of men at rooms at unusual times, and guests arriving with few possessions for extended stays. The lawsuit alleges that staff even acknowledged the illicit behavior but took no action, with one Amarillo motel employee believed to be a manager telling the traffickers that he 'knew what was going on and should call the police' but failing to do so.

• The alleged trafficking incidents occurred between 2013 and 2018.
• The lawsuit was filed in Lubbock's federal court in February 2026.

What’s next

The defendants have not yet responded to the lawsuit in federal court, and the case is ongoing. The judge will determine whether the case will proceed to a jury trial.