Stafford, Va. The Stafford County Sheriff's Office reports the shut down of Ranchito El Paraiso Restaurant located at 386 Warrenton Road in Stafford County. The owners of the restaurant, Victor Manuel Villalta, age 32 of 1604 Fort Fisher Court, Dumfries, Va. and Ana Esther Villalta, age 42 of 1808 Stoney Creek, Fredericksburg, Va. have each been charged with One Count of Prohibited Acts By a Mixed Beverage License, One Count of Maintaing a Common Nuisance and One Count of Keeping or Frequenting a Bawdy Place. Victor Villalta and Ana Villalta, brother and sister, have been incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
Detective J.C. Wright along with members of the Stafford County Sheriff's Office Special Problems Unit initiated an investigation in December 2009 of the Ranchito El Paraiso after receiving information from the Rappahannock Regional Gang and Drug Task Force that numerous illegal activities were alleged to be taking place in the restaurant. The Sheriff's Office had also responded to complaints in the area of the restaurant of intoxicated individuals in the past. Wright's investigation indicated that the owners of Ranchito El Paraiso were selling alcohol after hours, had women coming into the restaurant to perform a dancing act while partially nude. The investigation also indicated that the owners of the restaurant were allowing other illegal activities to go on in the restaurant. In addition, known gang members were frequenting the establishment as well.
Members of the Stafford County Sheriff's Office along with agents from the Virginia Alcohol, Beverage & Control Board, agents from the Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency and an agent from the FBI raided the restaurant on Friday evening, February 25 at 11:30 pm. During the raid numerous customers were also taken into custody. 18 individuals were charged with being drunk in public and one person was charged with possession of cocaine. Evidence seized at the scene supported the all of the charges.
"We want to make it perfectly clear to individuals displaying this type of behavior that these crimes will not be tolerated in Stafford County," said Sheriff Charles Jett.
This is an ongoing investigation and additional charges are pending.
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Contact Info
Stafford County Sheriff's Office Physical Address: 1225 Courthouse Road Mailing Address: P.O. Box 189
Stafford, Virginia 22555
