Boston, MA, United States
Vanessa Cristina Guedes Lopes, of Miami, Florida, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for bringing aliens to the U.S. illegally, bringing individuals in interstate commerce for prostitution, sex trafficking, and conspiracy. In addition, she has been convicted for making false statements in immigration documents—she will be deported after serving her sentence. Lopes recruited women, advertised them online, and sent them to various cities in Massachusetts. She coerced the women into staying through the use of threats, such as the deportation.
Location
United States · Boston, MA · 2007 (location generalized to protect survivors)
Response & intervention
ICE investigated the case with police departments in Andover, Boston, Burlington, Fall River, Framingham, Hanson, Lowell, Malden, Medford, Somerville, Tewksbury and Woburn as well as the Nashua police department in New Hampshire.
Four of the victims who cooperated with officials were able to apply for T visas.
ICE
Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don't have a verifiable source on file yet — use “Report a problem” below to add one.