Children Rescued From Mexican Cartel Human Trafficking Scheme In DeKalb County 

Image Credit: Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office & Google Earth

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

Authorities announced last Thursday that several adults were taken into custody after a months-long human trafficking investigation of a suspected Mexican cartel operation which forced children to work at a local restaurant as payment for being smuggled into the United States from Mexico.

Reportedly, four minors were trafficked illegally into the U.S. by Mexican drug cartel members who brought them through Arizona before sending them to Smithville, TN and forcing them to work at Chabelita’s Restaurant and Market to pay off their smuggling and housing costs. 

The investigation began when one of the children came to the Smithville Police Department (SPD) after running away from the restaurant and telling detectives the owners had forced her into child labor trafficking and mistreated her. SPD then contacted the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department, and together the agencies launched a 3-month investigation.

While the female revealed she was staying with adults at a Bright Hill Road residence, which is outside the Smithville City limits, the juvenile boys were found to be living alone without any adult supervision at a residence on West Broad Street. The children were taken into custody and transported to the Smithville Police Department where they were interviewed and then released to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.

After building their case, including surveillance, authorities executed search warrants at Chabelita’s locations and the two residences where they seized numerous firearms and other evidence, according to a joint release from SPD and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. Several agencies participated in the investigation and subsequent arrests including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, ICE, and DHS.

Two individuals were arrested in direct connection with the human trafficking and labor case while ICE and DHS arrested an additional two unnamed illegal immigrants, one male and one female, during the raid.

Joshua Hernandez-Morales, 18, is charged with trafficking for forced labor or services and has a $75,000 bond with a court appearance set for Jan. 8, 2026. Marcelino Diaz-Decena, 52, is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. His bond is set at $25,000 and is also scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 8.

Former FBI agent Rob Chadwick, who now works as a security and training consultant, commented that cases like these are not uncommon in small communities because they are “so under-resourced from a law enforcement standpoint.” He said, “These cartels are sophisticated business operations. They’re going to use every opportunity they can to maximize profits.”

And while the property owners of the space Chabelita’s occupies did not wish to comment to media about the case, other DeKalb County residents are expressing relief for the children’s rescue. 

“Thank God that girl had the wherewithal to escape when she could. What a blessing,” one resident said. “Four kids were saved; that’s amazing.”

“It’s kind of discouraging, but thank God, again, because our law enforcement is taking the measures that they need to, to keep us safe. If they believe more are involved, then, by all means, get them,” a Smithville resident told WSMV.

“It’s kind of crazy,” a neighbor reflected on the case. “We have a huge population coming in and going out, I can see how it would be easy to kind of slip them in.”

Authorities expect more arrests to come in connection with the case.

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.