Merlo has been charged with sexual assault of a child and exploitation of a child, and was given bonds totaling $200,000.
SAN ANTONIO — The owner of an east-side nightclub has been arrested and charged with sexual assault of a child and child exploitation.
41-year-old Oscar Melo Jr. was arrested after police say a 14-year-old girl, listed as a runaway, made an outcry about the abuse during an interview with authorities.
According to a police affidavid, Merlo hired the girl to work at his Eastside nightclub, Chateau Chanel on East Commerce, near 1-10.
The victim says Merlo knew she was underage, and told investigators he gave her a fake Identification card, showing she was 19.
The victim told police she was paid $300 to $400 a night to provide bottle service and entertainment in the VIP section of the club.
Police say they were able to connect the girl to the nightclub through the club’s social media accounts, which they say showed the victim as being friends with both Merlo and the social media page for, Chateau Chanel, other post police say showed the victim at the club.
During the interview the victim told investigators, she had a “sexually based relationship,” with Merlo at both the nightclub and his home.
Police were working in an ongoing investigation with U.S. Marshal’s in the recovery of missing or runaway juveniles.
Merlo has been charged with sexual assault of a child, and exploitation of a child.
He was given bonds totaling $200,000 and as of Saturday night, he was still in the Bexar County Jail.