Country
Modern slavery in United States
880 documented cases recorded in United States, 1981–2024. Locations are deliberately generalized to protect survivors.
Ottumwa, Iowa, United States
A Micronesian couple recruited two young men from Micronesia with promises of legal US work, then withheld their passports to coerce their labor at a meat processing plant. Accused: Micronesian couple (Federated States of Micronesia citizens) operating in Ottumwa, Iowa.
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Forced child labor case resulting in landmark life sentence. Minors compelled to work under threat of serious harm Accused: Individual perpetrator.
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Family smuggled Brazilian migrants into the US for $18,000-22,000 fees, then forced them to work off the debt at two Woburn restaurants under threats of violence and deportation. Accused: Jesse James Moraes, Hugo Giovanni Moraes, and Chelbe Willams Moraes.
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Online sex trafficking operation advertised victims on commercial sex websites. Victims moved between cities Accused: Multi-person trafficking organization.
Houston, Texas, United States
Three individuals held immigrant women against their will at a Houston residence, forcing labor while also running a pirated CD/DVD distribution operation from the same property. Accused: Estela Aguilar-Lopez, Blanca Estela Lopez-Aguilar, and Francisco Ivan Rodriguez-Garcia.
Southlake, Texas, United States
Couple brought a Guinean girl to their Texas home at age of a minor child and forced her to labor unpaid in their household for over 16 years until neighbors helped her escape. Accused: Mohamed Toure and Denise Cros-Toure.
San Francisco, California, United States
Federal agents broke up cyber-enabled trafficking using social media recruitment encrypted messaging and cryptocurrency Accused: Multi-state digital network.
Highlands Ranch, Colorado, United States
A Denver-area man brought foreign nurses to the US under false pretenses via visa fraud, then collected much of their pay while threatening deportation if they complained. Accused: Kizzy Kalu of Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
Seattle, Washington, United States
Micronesian couple brought an 18-year-old relative to the US with promises of education, then forced her into domestic servitude and hard labor while withholding her documents. Accused: Edk Kenit and Choimina Lukas of Longview, Washington.
Beaverton, Oregon, United States
A married couple ran a scheme bringing Thai nationals to work at their Portland-area restaurants under fraudulent visas, then compelled their labor under the resulting debt. Accused: Tanya Jumroon and Paul Jumroon of Beaverton, Oregon.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Motel manager manipulated young woman's homelessness addiction and custody issues to compel hotel housekeeping labor and sexual compliance Accused: Georgia motel manager.
Fall River, Massachusetts, United States
Sex trafficking ring used beatings threats starvation and manufactured debts to coerce adult and minor victims into commercial sex Accused: Ringleader and five accomplices.
Stockton, California, United States
A couple hired workers from India through false job ads promising good wages, then forced them into unpaid domestic labor in their home, physically abusing them and threatening consequences if they tried to leave. Accused: Satish Kartan and Sharmistha Barai of Stockton, California.
West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Farm labor contractor ran criminal enterprise compelling Mexican H-2A workers into forced labor across five states Accused: Owner of farm labor contracting company.
New York, New York, United States
Nail salon workers earning as little as $3/hour. Immigration documents held threatened with deportation Accused: Salon owners operating chain.
Mt. Prospect, Illinois, USA, United States
On January 30, 2012 a federal jury convicted Alex Campbell, a suburban massage parlor owner of various federal crimes including sex-trafficking, forced labor, harboring illegal aliens, confiscating passports to further forced labor, and extortion involving four foreign women whom he mentally and physically abused while forcing them to work for him between July 2008 and January 2010. Campbell was found guilty of three counts each of forced labor, harboring illegal aliens for financial gain, and confiscating passports and other immigration documents to force the victims to work, and one count each of sex trafficking by force, and extortion. The jury deliberated approximately two to three hours following a three-week trial in U.S. District Court. The trial showed that Campbell, who formerly operated the Day and Night Spa on Northwest Highway in Mt. Prospect, Illinois used violence and threats of violence to force three women from the Ukraine and one from Belarus to work for him without pay and, at times, little to no subsistence. The testimony and evidence showed that Campbell recruited and groomed foreign women without legal status in the United States to become part of his “Family,” which he claimed was an international organization that would provide them with support. He offered them jobs in his massage parlor, a place to live, assistance with immigration, and lured each of them to enter into a romantic relationship with him. After gaining their trust, he forced the victims to get tattooed with his moniker, which he said made them his property and allowed him to stop paying them. At the same time, he acquired the women’s passports and visas. The women were forced to work long hours every day and do as Campbell instructed them, and they were beaten and punished if they disobeyed him. Trial testimony established that Campbell confiscated passports and identity documents from three of the victims, as well as harbored and transported them to ensure their continued labor. Campbell forced one victim to engage in commercial sex acts with customers at various other massage parlors, but not at the Day and Night Spa, which testimony showed he operated “cleanly” to avoid problems with law enforcement. All four victims testified as government witnesses at trial, as well as co-defendant, Danielle John, 25, who pleaded guilty before trial to two counts of harboring illegal aliens for financial gain and is also awaiting sentencing. Campbell extorted another victim to pay him more than $25,000 to leave the “Family” by threatening to send a sexually-explicit video recording to her parents in Belarus.
Los Angeles, California, USA, United States
Maximino Morales, 46, and his wife, Melinda Morales, 48, formerly of Paso Robles, admitted harboring illegal aliens after they were smuggled into the United States and forcing them to work in sub-standard conditions at the couple’s elder care facilities. The Morales were each sentenced on February 13, 2012 to 18 months in federal prison. “The Filipino victims in this case were lured to the United States with false promises and were essentially performing slave labor,” said United States Attorney André Birotte Jr. The Morales, both natives of the Philippines, pleaded guilty last May to conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. The Morales, who operated four elder care facilities under the umbrella of “Four M’s, Inc.,” admitted that they recruited Filipino nationals to come to the United States with promises of work as live-in caregivers. A co-conspirator in the Philippines helped the aliens obtain fraudulent visas that allowed them to travel to the United States. After they arrived, “some of the aliens worked alone in 24-hour shifts...as caregivers at one of the Four M’s elder care residential facilities for less than minimum wage,” according to plea agreements filed in this case. “All of the aliens lived in the care facilities, and some of the aliens slept in a closet, on a sofa, and in a walled-off portion of an unheated, attached garage.” The aliens’ pay was credited against the “debt” they purportedly owed, and the aliens were told that police or immigration authorities would be summoned if they attempted to leave.
Tacoma, Washington, USA, United States
Lashad Alexander, 24, of Tacoma, Washington, was sentenced September 29, 2011 in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to nine years in prison, three years of supervised release and $130,000 in restitution for human trafficking. Alexander pleaded guilty in February 2011, admitting he forced a young woman to work as a prostitute in the Tacoma area, and financially benefitted from the prostitution acts. At sentencing U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan said, “this is just terrible… It amounts to slavery. Society cannot allow it.” The court documents establish that Alexander had recruited a juvenile female in 2005 to engage in acts of prostitution, and that this girl worked as a prostitute for him until his arrest March 29, 2010. The female victim is now an adult. Alexander assisted the victim’s prostitution activities by purchasing clothing, condoms, and cellular telephones for her to use while working. Alexander also bought debit cards for the victim to use to post sex advertisements on the internet. Alexander rented motel rooms for prostitution. The victim had to provide Alexander with her earnings from her work as a prostitute. On some occasions, Alexander struck the victim and caused her to believe that she would suffer serious harm if she did not earn money for him as a prostitute. Today Alexander was ordered to pay $130,000 in restitution to the victim.
Miami, Florida, USA, United States
Lavont Flanders, Jr.. a former Miami police officer, and Emerson Callum were found guilty December 7, 2011 by a federal jury of luring women to Florida, raping them, and filming it for profit. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for February 16, 2011 before the U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore. The jury found defendant Lavont Flanders, Jr., 40,of Miami Gardens, guilty of all eighteen counts in the indictment, including enticing and conspiring to entice women to South Florida, knowing that fraud would be used to cause the women to engage in commercial sex acts. Flanders was also convicted of five counts of distributing benzodiazepines, a date rape drug, to the women. The jury also convicted defendant Emerson Callum, 45, of Miami, of the fourteen counts in which he was charged, which included enticing and conspiring to entice the women to South Florida, knowing that fraud would be used to cause the women to engage in commercial sex acts. Callum was not charged with distributing the benzodiazepines. At the trial, seven different women victims, all aspiring models from around the country, testified that they had been contacted online by a female model. In fact, however, the purported female model was actually defendant Flanders pretending to be a woman. In this way, Flanders contacted the victims about purported modeling auditions in Miami. After the victims provided their phone numbers, they would receive a call from a purported modeling scout - again, defendant Flanders - who claimed to represent large, multi-national companies, like Bacardi, Sony, or Paramount Pictures. Flanders told the victims that he liked their "look" and offered them a supposed role in an audition in Miami. According to the trial evidence, when the victims flew to Miami, Flanders instructed them to do an audition for a commercial. During this purported audition, the victims were asked to promote and drink different brands of alcohol while he filmed. Unbeknownst to the victims, the alcoholic beverages Flanders provided them was laced with benzodiazepines, a common date rape drug. Once the drugs had taken effect, Flanders drove the victims to Callum, who had sex with the victims while Flanders filmed them. Flanders and Callum then edited, produced, and sold the footage of the sex acts over the Internet and to pornography stores and businesses across the country.
Pocatello, Idaho, USA, United States
Wayne Allen Ginnis, 28, of Seattle, Washington, was arraigned January 11, 2012 in United States District Court in Pocatello, Idaho on a charge of transporting a minor in interstate commerce with intent to have sexual activity with the minor, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Ginnis entered a not guilty plea. Ginnis and co-defendant James Russell Ashley were indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2011. Ashley, 47, of Augusta, Georgia, was arraigned on August 24, 2011. The indictment alleges that on or about May 2, 2011, Ashley and Ginnis purchased bus tickets for two girls, ages 12 and 13, both from Pocatello, Idaho to travel to Hollywood, California, with the intent to engage in sexual activity with the girls. The girls and the men met on an Internet game site and later talked by cell phone. The girls were intercepted by police in St. George, Utah, and returned to their home.
Washington, DC, USA, United States
Robert Brathwaite, 37, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced December 2011 to a prison term of 10 years on federal charges of sex trafficking of children, transportation of a minor for the purpose of prostitution, and possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). A co-defendant, Tavia Crudup, 23, of Suitland, Md., was sentenced to a year and a day in prison for tampering with evidence and obstructing the sex trafficking prosecution. Both defendants pled guilty in September 2011 and were sentenced by the Honorable John D. Bates in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia. Upon completion of his prison term, Brathwaite will be placed on 10 years of supervised release. He also must register as a sex offender. Crudup will be placed on three years of supervised release once she completes serving her prison term. According to evidence presented at the plea hearing, Brathwaite first encountered the victim, a 14-year-old girl, in May 2011. The victim, who had run away from her home in another state, was living in an apartment in the District of Columbia. Brathwaite, also known as “Smoke,” transported the victim to various places in the District and Maryland to prostitute for him. Crudup, a prostitute who identified herself as “Rain” or “Cupcake,” schooled the teenager about how much money to charge for sex and how to conduct herself as a prostitute. She assisted Brathwaite in transporting the victim. On May 31, 2011, the victim was picked up by the Metropolitan Police Department for truancy. An investigation then led police to Brathwaite, who was located, along with Crudup, in a Lexus sport utility vehicle. Law enforcement officers later executed a search warrant and found a fully loaded semi-automatic firearm in the vehicle. Brathwaite was arrested. In the weeks that followed, Crudup destroyed evidence and talked with Brathwaite about ways to obstruct evidence in the case. Among other things, she instructed another person to throw away the victim’s clothes. Crudup subsequently was charged for her role in the case.
Denver, Colorado, USA, United States
Patrick Lloyd McGowan, 22; Chad Armand Gow, 20; Roy Manuel Ibarra-Gonzales, 20; and Bryan Steven Burns, 20, allegedly oversaw a human trafficking ring that involved the prostitution of children as well as the sale of methamphetamine and cocaine, according to a 70-count indictment. The indictment names 14 individuals suspected of running and patronizing a human-trafficking ring that used children for sex at locations ranging from Denver to Grand Junction, Colorado. McGowan, Gow, Ibarra-Gonzales and Burns are suspected of arranging "out calls" for the child victims through the Internet and coercing their victims through the use of drugs and threats of violence, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said. The three are suspected of transporting children to locations in Denver, Boulder, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction and Lakewood for sex, he said. The indictments also accuse McGowan of selling methamphetamine to an undercover officer at Casa Bonita in Lakewood on Dec. 21, 2011. Nearly 2 grams of meth was recovered from McGowan, according to the indictment. In addition, another 15 grams of meth was recovered when McGowan was booked into the Jefferson County Jail, the indictment stated. On one occasion, one girl was held down on a hotel bed in Boulder and "subjected ... to sexual contact without her consent," the indictment alleged. The ring advertised the girls as prostitutes on the Internet, according to the indictment.
New York City, New York, USA, United States
Federal officials charged 20 people November 30, 2011in a scheme to recruit illegal immigrants from Russia and Eastern European countries to work as exotic dancers in New York strip clubs, according to Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Charges against the 20 individuals include racketeering, extortion, visa and marriage fraud, and transporting and harboring illegal immigrants. The accused are alleged to be members of the Gambino and Bonanno organized crime families, according to federal authorities. "The defendants themselves had one thing in common -- the desire to turn the women they allegedly helped enter this country illegally into their personal profit centers,"Bharara said. "Today's arrests have brought an end to their illicit activities." Several of the accused are alleged to have run the "Strip Club Enterprise," which controlled a series of strip clubs throughout Queens and Long Island. Through these clubs, the accused are alleged to have recruited Eastern European women to enter the United States on student J1 visas to perform as strippers in their enterprises. Prosecutors also charge the defendants threatened physical violence and economic harm if the owners and operators of New York strip clubs as part of a broad extortion scheme. "The defendants controlled their business and protected their turf through intimidation and threats of physical and economic harm," said James T. Hayes, Jr., special agent in charge with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Some of the exotic dancers brought illegally into the United States were also matched with U.S. citizens in fraudulent marriages to resolve their immigrations status, prosecutors said in the indictment.
Seattle, Washington, USA, United States
A federal grand jury has indicted the owner and seven other individuals linked to a local Korean nightclub for allegedly operating an interstate prostitution scheme involving Asian women, many recruited overseas, who worked as "hostesses" at the club to repay their travel and living expenses, announced U. S Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. According to court documents filed in the case, the defendants sought Korean females to work as "bar girls" at The Blue Moon, a Korean "room salon" in Federal Way, Wash., where the women were expected to entertain male clients and set up subsequent meetings for paid sex. The 12-count indictment charges the defendants with a variety of violations, including conspiracy to commit money laundering, visa fraud, harboring illegal aliens, bribery and transportation in furtherance of prostitution. The charges are the result of a two-year multi-agency probe spearheaded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). "The organizers of this criminal scheme exploited vulnerable young women to satisfy their greed," said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. "They also sought to protect their business by offering bribes to law enforcement." Six of the individuals charged in the investigation were taken into custody Thursday morning by ICE HSI agents in the Seattle area. They made their initial appearances in federal court Thursday afternoon. They are: • Chang Young Kim, 58, of Milton, Wash., the owner of The Blue Moon; • Yeun Jeong Mun, 35, of Milton, Wash., Kim's wife, who allegedly served as a former madam at The Blue Moon; • Miyoung Roberts, 40, of Federal Way, Wash., allegedly serves as the current madam at The Blue Moon; • Jung San So, 55, of Seattle, current manager of The Blue Moon; • Raymond Jung, 51, of Federal Way, Wash., leased apartments where hostesses were allegedly housed; and • Kwang Frank Lee, 57, of Federal Way, Wash., allegedly provided money to finance a fraudulent marriage tied to the scheme. In addition to the other charges, defendant Kim is also facing five criminal counts involving $15,000 in bribes he allegedly paid an undercover officer in the case. In exchange, The Blue Moon's owner allegedly wanted advance notice of law enforcement inspections at the nightclub and cooperation from immigration authorities to allow the undocumented Korean women to enter the country.
Toledo, Ohio, USA, United States
Anthony C. Willoughby, Jr., age 38, of Toledo, Ohio. was found guilty on December 16, 2011 of juvenile sex trafficking by fraud, force, and coercion following a four-day trial in U.S. District Court. Willoughby was indicted on Sept. 29, 2010, on the charge on which he went to trial. At trial, the evidence established that Willoughby moved a 16-year-old, identified in the indictment as S.W., into his home, and began to have sex with her on a daily basis. He soon thereafter began to have S.W. prostitute for him, soliciting customers off a list provided by Willoughby. Willoughby drove S.W. to prostitution appointments, also made S.W. solicit on a street noted for prostitution and sold her for sex to a visitor. Over several weeks, he got more threatening and violent toward her, culminating in several beatings.
Peace Bridge Plaza, Buffalo, New York, USA, United States
Johnny Ray Davis, most recently a resident of Ohio, pleaded guilty on January 4, 2012 before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to making a false statement to officers of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. In September 2011 David attempted to enter Canada at the Peace Bridge port of entry with two female passengers. Canadian officials refused him entry because he was the subject of outstanding arrest warrants in the U.S. Davis and his two passengers were escorted back to the U.S. and turned over to U.S. ICE officers. During questioning, Davis lied about his whereabouts before the attempted border crossing. Subsequent investigation determined Davis was seeking to transport one of the women for the purpose of prostituting her.
Camden, New Jersey, USA, United States
Three of six members of an international scheme responsible for allegedly smuggling into the United States hundreds of illegal aliens from Brazil, India, and elsewhere pleaded guilty to conspiracy on December 21, 2011, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. Nacip Teotonio Pires, a/k/a “Ze Maria,” a/k/a “Baraso,” 47, of Newark, N.J.,; Rubens Da Silva, a/k/a “Diogo Oliveira,” 39, of Haverhill, Mass.; and Claudinei Pereira Mota, 34, of Newark, each pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden federal court to Informations charging one count of participating in a conspiracy to bring aliens into the United States illegally. A fourth member of the smuggling ring, Francismar Da Conceicao, a/k/a “Alex,” 36, of Hillside, N.J., also pleaded guilty to a similar charge before Judge Rodriguez in Camden federal court. A sixth defendant, Priscilla (last name unknown), a/k/a “Clema Aparacida Lopes,” of Long Branch, N.J., remains at large. According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From January 2008 through June 2011, Pires, Da Silva, and Mota conspired with others to bring aliens into the United States illegally from Brazil, India, and elsewhere as part of an elaborate, for-profit alien smuggling scheme that involved co-conspirators in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas, and elsewhere. They arranged, facilitated, and monitored the travel of customers along two primary smuggling routes, the first of which included travel through Central America and across the international border between Mexico and the United States. The second route included travel to St. Maarten, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and to destinations in the United States. Pires, Da Silva, and Mota charged customers of the alien smuggling scheme from $13,000 to more than $25,000, depending on the route the customer used and whether the customer paid in advance or paid in installments after arriving in the United States. Many of the customers of the scheme were young women from Brazil, most of whom agreed to repay their smuggling debt after arriving in the United States by working as dancers in strip clubs in Newark and elsewhere. In certain instances, women who fell behind on their debt repayment were urged to consider engaging in prostitution to earn extra money. The defendants induced customers to pay their smuggling debts by threatening to harm family members in their home countries and by obtaining title to property the customers owned in their home countries. Pires, Da Silva, and Mota also instructed customers who were caught crossing the border illegally to concoct false asylum claims and falsely report that they would be abused or face other danger if immediately deported. They then paid attorneys to assert those false asylum claims, which often resulted in the rapid release of their customers.
Boston, Massachusetts, USA, United States
On November 30, 2011, Don Kai Chen, 43, Quincy, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to engaging in a conspiracy to transport women in interstate travel for the purpose of prostitution. On November 16, 2011, Jin Liang Chen 31, pleaded guilty to engaging in a conspiracy to transport women in interstate travel for the purpose of prostitution, forced labor, and harboring aliens. As alleged in the Indictment, from August of 2004 through February of 2010, defendants Hong Wei, a/k/a “Ms. Chen,” 37, of Flushing, N.Y.; Jing Liang Chen, a/k/a “Mike,” 30, of Quincy, Mass.; Xiang Hua Zhang, a/k/a “Darren,” 27, of Flushing, N.Y.; Yu En Jin, a/k/a “Eric,” 26, of Quincy, Mass.; and Don Kai Chen, engaged in a conspiracy to entice Asian women to travel to Mass. for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. Jin Liang Chen faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for conspiracy and inducing travel for prostitution, 20 years on each of the two forced labor charges and 10 years on each of the two charges of harboring aliens. Jin Liang Chen will be sentenced by Judge George O’Toole on Mar. 7, 2012, at 2 p.m. At the plea hearing, Chen admitted that from August of 2004 through March of 2010, he conspired with co-defendant Hong Wei to entice Asian women to travel to Massachusetts for purposes of engaging in prostitution. Darren Liu previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy, and was sentenced last week to 21 months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release. At the plea hearing, Don Kai Chen admitted that from August of 2004 through February of 2010, he conspired with defendant Hong Wei, a/k/a “Ms. Chen”, to transport women to Mass. from out of state for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. Judge George A. O’Toole, Jr. scheduled Don Kai Chen’s sentencing for February 2, 2012. Don Kai Chen faces up to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release on the conspiracy charge. The Indictment charges defendants Wei and Jing Liang Chen with sex trafficking and harboring illegal aliens and using force, fraud and coercion to cause the women to engage in a commercial sex act which the defendants benefitted from financially. All of the defendants are charged with engaging in a conspiracy to coerce and entice women to travel to Mass. for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. The conspiracy involved the use of advertising in various newspapers in N.Y., Calif., Mass. and elsewhere, seeking the services of Asian women to work in the defendants’ brothels. The women generally arrived at South Street Bus Station in Boston from N.Y. and elsewhere around the country, and were thereafter transported to various apartments throughout Mass. where they then engaged in prostitution. Some of the women were not legally in the U.S. when they were harbored in the brothels. Some of the women were forced to work in the brothels.
Fort Dodge, Iowa, USA, United States
Michael Malcom, age 55, from Humboldt, Iowa, Ashley Prince, age 21, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Nikki Fawcett, age 23, from Fort Dodge, Iowa charged with child sexual exploitation and other charges. The charges are contained in an Indictment unsealed December 19, 2011, in United States District Court in Sioux City. The Indictment alleges that, between 2007 and 2010, Malcom, Prince, and Fawcett employed, used, persuaded, induced, and enticed one or more minors under the age of 18 to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of this conduct. The Indictment alleges that Malcom and Prince conspired to sexually exploit children, and it alleges that Malcom and Fawcett transported persons across a state line, including a person under 18, with the intent that these persons engage in prostitution. If convicted, Malcom faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to life in prison, $1,250,000 in fines, $500 in special assessments, and at least 5 years and up to life on supervised release following any imprisonment. If convicted, Prince faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 60 years’ imprisonment, $500,000 in fines, $200 in special assessments, and at least 5 years and up to life on supervised release following any imprisonment. If convicted, Fawcett faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to life in prison, $750,000 in fines, $300 in special assessments, and at least 5 years and up to life on supervised release following any imprisonment. Malcom, Prince, and Fawcett appeared December 19, 2011, in federal court in Sioux City and were released on bond. Their next appearance for trial is set for February 6, 2012.
Sacramento County, United States
Mahendar "Mike" Singh, 40, and his wife, Helen Jean Singh, 22. Both are natives of Sacramento. Mahendar admitted to recruiting teenage females to provide sex services in exchange for money and drugs and to knowing that at least one of the teenagers was a juvenile. Mahendar Singh also admitted that he and his co-defendant(his wife) were able to maintain their victims’ services by providing them with money, clothing, and drugs, promising them a family-like environment, and using and threatening the use of physical force. An affidavit filed in connection with this case alleged that the defendants used an Internet website to advertise their victims and employed cell phones and text messaging to make arrangements with customers.
Orlando, Florida, USA, United States
On December 6 , 2011, a federal jury found six members of an Eastern European prostitution ring guilty of various federal crimes, including conspiracy, traveling in interstate and foreign commerce to promote a prostitution business, and using facilities of interstate commerce to promote a prostitution business. In total, the jury convicted these individuals on eighteen of nineteen charges against them. Those convicted were Tatiana Belinschi (26, Moldova), Alexandr Postica (25, Moldova), Saida Babaeva (29, Russia), Aleksandra Liubina (24, Russia), Natalia Fedorova (24, Russia), and Alina Priadko (25, Ukraine). According to the indictment and evidence presented at trial, a number of aliens worked together in a commercial sex business that sought to make money by providing sexual services and other services for money in Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, and Massachusetts. The above-named individuals were in the country illegally and were not authorized to work during the time periods alleged in the indictment. The sole remaining fugitive on the indictment, Roman Caraiman (24, Moldova), has fled the country and is being sought through an international arrest warrant. Any information about his whereabouts should be communicated to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Houston, Texas, USA, United States
Maria Rojas aka “Nancy” and Jose Luis Rojas entered their pleas to both conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens as well as the sex trafficking conspiracy before U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes on November 28, 2011. The two were charged with a conspiracy involving the recruitment of Mexican women and girls to travel to the United States with the false expectation of legitimate jobs in bars and restaurants. The indictment, returned Feb. 15, 2011, alleged that the conspirators further relied on the services of pimps to supply the women for use as prostitutes to maintain control of the women. Maria Rojas, 46, was the owner of La Costenita, formerly Playa Sola, as well as El Club Restaurante, formerly La Cueva Restaurante Bar, both located on Clinton Drive in Houston. Jose Luis Rojas, 38, operated La Costenita. Eight others were also charged in the indictment with conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. Javier Guevara Belmontes, 46, also owned, controlled and operated La Costenita and El Club Restaurante. Maday Martinez, 34, and Evelin Carolina Aguera, 37, worked as managers, while Claudia Perez Ramirez, Silvano Santos aka “Chivas,” Francisco Maradiaga Jimenez aka “Pancho,” and Olvan Ramirez Caceres worked at La Costenita as lookouts alerting police presence. The final defendant, Aleyda Juarez, passed out condoms and charged the females $15 for the condom as well as use of the rooms. Aguera, Santos, Perez Ramirez, Maradiaga Jimenez, Ramirez Caceres and Juarez have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced. Their sentences for their roles in conspiracy to harboring illegal aliens has ranged from eight to 11 months and all will be deported upon completion of their sentences. Martinez has also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. The remaining defendant, Belmontes, is scheduled for trial Feb. 27, 2012..
Carter Lake, Iowa, USA, United States
Janna Wasko, 39, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 1, 2011 by Chief United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon, in Omaha, Nebraska to a term of six months in the Bureau of Prisons and six months of home confinement. Ms. Wasko previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit various prostitution offenses during 1997 to 2009. Ms. Wasko cooperated with authorities in the prosecution. She testified at a sentencing hearing in October 2011 regarding one of her co-defendants, Richard Costanzo. Following that hearing, Judge Bataillon found that Mr. Costanzo had knowingly caused a minor to engage in prostitution. Mr. Costanzo was later sentenced to 96 months in prison.
Ellenwood, Georgia, USA, United States
Juna Gwedolyn Babb, 56, and Michael J. Babb, 55, both of Ellenwood, Ga., pleaded guilty in federal court to felony offenses related to a scheme to compel the labor of a young woman from the Kingdom of Swaziland in southern Africa, announced the Department of Justice. “Schemes like this one target the most vulnerable in our society,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The department is committed to prosecuting individuals who engage in acts that exploit individuals who wish to work in our country.” “This case reminds us that modern day slavery is occurring in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “This young woman believed that she was only traveling to the United States for a brief visit to help with a wedding. Instead, she was compelled to labor for the defendants for more than two years. It is especially disturbing that the victim was exploited by a minister and his wife.” According to the indictment and information presented in court, in or about March 2005, Juna Babb, while visiting the Kingdom of Swaziland, invited the victim, then a 29 year-old cook, to travel to the United States to cater for a family wedding. In fact, there was no wedding, and Juna Babb instead intended to harbor the woman in the United States and compel her to work as a housekeeper in her home for little or no pay. Subsequently, upon the victim’s arrival at the defendant’s home in Ellenwood, Juna Babb concealed her from detection by law enforcement while compelling her housekeeping services from in or about June 2005, through in or about February 2007. During this time, Juna Babb also threatened the victim over the debt she owed for her travel to the United States, and with arrest and deportation because she was in the United States illegally. Michael Babb, a minister, knew of his wife’s harboring of the victim, as well as the fact that Juna Babb was compelling the victim’s labor. However, Michael Babb failed to notify an authority of the United States as soon as possible of the alien harboring, and affirmatively concealed his wife’s crime by denying that the victim worked as the defendants’ housekeeper to special agents of the FBI. Juna Babb pleaded guilty to the offense of harboring an alien for financial gain, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Michael Babb pleaded guilty to the offense of misprision of a felony for concealing his wife’s criminal conduct and for lying to federal agents. This offense carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison.
Memphis, Tennessee, USA, United States
Kala Bray, 18, pleaded guilty in federal court on November 4, 2011for her role in a conspiracy to engage in child sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. According to the Indictment, in July and August of 2011, Bray and her co-defendant, Vincent Jones, recruited two Memphis-area juveniles and lured them to Houston, Texas with false promises of atrip to a water park. Bray and Jones plied the teens with drugs including Oxycontin and Xanax and made the juveniles engage in commercial sex acts both in Memphis and Houston for the financial benefit of Bray and Jones. Bray faces up to a life sentence for the conspiracy charge. As part of the plea, the United States agreed to dismiss other charges related to the conspiracy. Bray is set to be sentenced on February 10, 2012.
Houston, Texas, USA, United States
30-year-old Jerald Bland, aka “Moe Betta,” was charged by a federal grand jury with sex trafficking of two minors and one adult, as well as transporting one adult and one minor for the purposes of prostitution, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced on October 2, 2011 The five-count indictment returned by the grand jury today, alleges that beginning in March 2010 through June 2010, Bland used force, fraud, or coercion to cause two minors and one adult female to engage in commercial sex acts. Bland is also accused of transporting one minor and one adult female from Texas to Louisiana to engage in prostitution in violation of federal statutes.
Sacramento, California, USA, United States
This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Innocence Lost Task Force, a task force comprised of the FBI, the Sacramento Police Department and the Sacramento County Sheriff. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Reardon is prosecuting the case. Docket #: :11-CR-477 JAM The maximum statutory penalty for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1591 is no less than 10 years in prison, and up to life, a $250,000 fine, and a lifetime period of supervised release. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Springfield, Virginia, USA, United States
Rances Ulices Amaya, a/k/a “Blue” or “Murder,” 23, of Springfield, VA, was indicted November 23, 2011, on charges of conspiracy and three counts of sex trafficking of a minor. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for each sex trafficking count and a maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiracy. According to court documents, Amaya is a leader of the Guanacos Lokotes Salvatrucha (GLS) clique of MS-13. In June 2009 and throughout the fall of that year, Amaya is accused of conspiring with others to recruit multiple juvenile females to work as a prostitutes and transporting them throughout Northern Virginia for appointments that Amaya had arranged with clients. He is accused of providing the juveniles with alcohol and narcotics to facilitate the prostitution scheme, along with remaining with the juveniles during prostitution appointments to ensure the clients did not violate the rules he had set for the sexual encounter.
Carter Lake, Iowa, USA, United States
Richard Costanzo, 45, of Carter Lake, Iowa, was sentenced on November 4, 2011, to 96 months in prison by Chief United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon, in Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Costanzo previously pled guilty to Conspiracy to commit various prostitution offenses during 1997 to 2009; three counts of Using a facility of interstate commerce to promote prostitution; one count of Transportation with intent to promote prostitution; and two counts of Money laundering. Following a hearing on October 12 and 13, 2011, Judge Bataillon had found that Mr. Costanzo knowingly caused a minor to engage in prostitution. Evidence presented at that hearing also indicated that Mr. Costanzo had operated his escort business for over 10 years. Mr. Costanzo also pled guilty to witness tampering in a related case. He received a sentence of 96 months for that conviction, to run concurrently. Richard Costanzo is the President of Dream Girls, Inc. a Nebraska corporation. Theresa Costanzo, (the sister of Richard Costanzo), Janna Wasko, (Richard Costanzo’s ex-wife), and Michael Wasko, (the husband of Janna Wasko), are all alleged in an April 2010 indictment to have worked at the business in various capacities. The indictment alleges that Dream Girls, Inc., advertised itself under many different names and held itself out as an escort service but was a front for prostitution. The indictment also alleges at least one of the escorts who worked at the business was under 18 years of age.
Austell, Georgia, USA, United States
Chesire Martinez Robinson, a/k/a “Candyman,” 30, of Austell, Georgia, was sentenced December 5, 2011 by United States District Judge J. Owen Forrester for conspiracy to engage in, and the commission of, sex trafficking of a minor and transporting a minor in interstate commerce for prostitution. Robinson was convicted of the charges on September 14, 2011, after a jury trial which lasted three days. According to United States Attorney Yates, the indictment and information presented in court: In or about July 2009, and continuing through on or about October 2, 2009, Robinson, a convicted felon, caused the victim, a 16-year-old girl, to engage in prostitution at various hotels and at a truck stop in the Atlanta area. Robinson brought the victim, who he knew to be a minor, from her home in South Carolina to the Atlanta area. He placed photographs of the victim in escort and erotic services sections of various Internet websites, and used those ads to recruit men to engage in commercial sex acts with the victim. The victim worked for Robinson six nights per week for numerous hours each night, giving all of her money to Robinson. During a mere eight weeks, Robinson earned more than $14,000 from the victim’s commercial sex acts.
Manchester, New Hampshire, USA, United States
The young girl's mom called authorities on October 27, 2011 to report her daughter was missing. She told police that she found her daughter's photo on an adult entertainment website. Jensen, who went by the alias Remy, had made a deal on behalf of the teen to have sex with the man, who called himself Mad Mike, for $150. When the man asked for a location for the duo to meet, Jensen gave her address and was arrested -- after a brief struggle -- in her home. The teen, who has not been identified, was also discovered in the apartment. According to police, Jensen was going to start training the teen to become a prostitute.
Denver, Colorado, USA, United States
Timothy Wayne Lee, age 45, formerly of Denver, Colorado was sentenced late today to serve 180 months (15 years) in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn for sex trafficking of a child and aiding and abetting. Lee was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on September 30, 2010. He pled guilty before Judge Blackburn to charges from both the District of Colorado and the Eastern District of California on July 12, 2011. He was sentenced December 2, 2011. According to court documents, beginning in 2003 and ending in 2009, Lee was responsible for the sex trafficking of minors who had not yet attained the age of 18. Lee did knowingly transport minors who had not attained the age of 18 across state lines. Timothy Wayne Lee pleaded guilty in July to two counts of sex trafficking of a child stemming from cases in Colorado and California. According to the plea deal, Lee coerced girls as young as 16 to come work for him as prostitutes and provided them with drugs.Both girls were runaways when Lee met them. Lee, 45, has had a string of prostitution-related arrests, according to his plea agreement. In 2002, he was fined for soliciting prostitution in Denver. In 2003, he was sentenced to 90 days in jail on a prostitution charge. In 2010, he was sentenced to three years in prison in Tennessee in a prostitution case. And his federal plea bargain will result in the dismissal of state prostitution charges in New Mexico. As part of his plea agreement, Lee admitted to advertising the girls on the internet and charging $200 an hour. All of the money went back to Lee.Authorities said Lee also used at least five adult women as prostitutes.
Oakland Park, Florida, USA, United States
James Mozie, 34, was found guilty by a federal jury on December 20, 2011 of all charges against him in United States v. James Mozie. After a 5-day trial, the jury found defendant Mozie guilty of all ten counts in the indictment, including sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. Mozie was also convicted of production of child pornography. At trial, seven different victims, many them runaways at the time they met Mozie, testified that they worked or were recruited to work as prostitutes at Mozie’s residence, which he advertised as “The Boom Boom Room.” According to the trial evidence, The Boom Boom Room, also known as Lot 29, operated for more than a year as a house of prostitution. Mozie advertised the business through the use of mass text messages to his contacts letting people know about the activities at the house each night. When customers arrived, they paid a cover charge to the security guard working the front door. The victims, many of them minors, worked in the house dancing for tips and engaging in sexual activity with male customers for money. Seven victims, all minors when the offenses occurred, testified that when they first arrived at the residence, Mozie had them complete an application asking for information such as name and stage name, date of birth, and specifying what sexual acts they were willing to perform. All of the minor victims testified that they provided their correct dates of birth to Mozie, who advised them not to tell customers that they were underage. Several of the minor victims testified that before working as a prostitute for Mozie, he required them to have sex with him as part of their “orientation," which he explained was his way of “testing the merchandise.” They also testified that Mozie would take sexually explicit images of them, which he attached to the text messages advertising the brothel. Co-defendant Laschell “Shelly” Harris pled guilty to one count of sex trafficking of a minor and was sentenced on November 16, 2011 to 13 years in prison. Co-defendant Willie David Rice pled guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to four years in prison.
Needville, Texas, USA, United States
Albaro Estrada Dominguez and Mario-Beltran Torres are facing charges of conspiracy to commit hostage taking. Following their arrest, 14 people were discovered inside Needville home, according to ICE. All were held against their will. Thirteen were from Guatemala and one was from El Salvador. Dominguez and Torres are two of five suspects believed to be involved in this operation. In this case, investigators say the undocumented immigrants were being held for ransom. Investigators say the suspects had guns and threatened to kill those they were allegedly holding against their will. It's not surprising neighbors were not suspicious. "They didn't let the people they were detaining there mingle around outside," said Chief Craig Brady with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office. "They'd bring them in under the cover of darkness, keep them inside the house, so no one knew they were there." Investigators say the coyotes contacted their loved ones and were attempting to extort more money than they'd already paid, in exchange for their safe release. Chief Brady explained, "The initial charge was supposed to have been $1,000, and they were wanting an additional $2,500."
Seatac, Washington, USA, United States
Tramble first came to the attention of law enforcement in or about August 2010, when Kent Police Department officers encountered a juvenile female working as a prostitute. This victim told police how Tramble beat and coerced her, and how he advertised her as a prostitute on Backpage.com. Further investigation by law enforcement revealed that Tramble forced numerous women to work for him as prostitutes. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Innocence Lost Task Force, which is composed of local, state and federal law enforcement officers who investigate juvenile prostitution. Key assistance was provided by the Kent Police Department.
Columbia, Tennessee, USA, United States
Nathaniel Roberts, 35, known as Nay Nay, was sentenced to 70 months in prison while Tavoris Roberts, 27, known as Sug, and Shermaine Aiden, 31, known as Tink, were each sentenced to 41 months, according to the release issued Monday. The men were sentenced December 2, 2011. Each of the men were indicted on Nov. 17, on one count of conspiracy to commit human trafficking involving force or coercion, and all pleaded guilty to the charge, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Patrick Bullock, 34, also of Columbia, was previously sentenced in September to 63 months in prison for the same offense. Johnny Turrentine, aka T-Tine, 37, also of Columbia, will be sentenced on Jan. 23, 2012 for his role in the conspiracy, according to the release. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that Nathaniel Roberts was the self-proclaimed “mastermind” of the prostitution operation, and that the group was known as the Wolf Pack. Nathaniel Roberts called regular meetings of the organization, during which he discussed police activity, gave recommendations on avoiding law enforcement, and discussed money. Between Sept. 2008 and Oct. 2010, several female victims of the organization’s human trafficking enterprise suffered violent assaults by the men for, among other reasons, keeping extra money charged to clients and not reporting it to Roberts. One victim was kicked in the torso, causing her lung to collapse, and during another assault, Roberts choked her to the point of unconsciousness, according to the press release. Another victim was hospitalized in June, 2010, after Roberts assaulted her and fractured bones in her face, according to the release.
Oakland, California, USA, United States
Mahendar "Mike" Singh, 40, and his wife, Helen Jean Singh (née Kearney), 22, are accused in an indictment, filed Dec. 1, 2011 of conspiring to traffic teenage females to provide sex acts to customers in exchange for money and other things of value. Mahendar Singh was arraigned Tuesday and pleaded not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler in Oakland. Helen Jean Singh's arraignment is set for Dec. 8., 2011 According to the indictment, the defendants recruited teenagers by promising them money, drugs and a "family-like environment." Instead, the couple allegedly maintained control over the victims by using physical force and threats of physical force, and fostering a climate of fear. According to court documents, the defendants advertised their prostitution enterprise, which operated in Sacramento County and multiple Bay Area counties, over the Internet. An affidavit filed in the case alleges the defendants used an Internet website to advertise their victims and employed cell phones and text-messaging to make arrangements with customers. That affidavit states the defendants were arrested Aug. 20, 2011 after the South San Francisco Police Department responded to a motel near the San Francisco airport and found Mahendar Singh with a 19-year-old and two 16-year-olds.
Overland Park, Kansas, USA, United States
Hsien-Hsien “Jacqueline” Liu, 64, of Taiwan, residing in Overland Park, Kan., waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty on November 18, 2011 before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to the charge of fraud in foreign labor contracting for fraudulently obtaining two Filipino servants for her residence. By pleading guilty, Liu admitted that she fraudulently entered into employment contracts with two Filipino housekeepers, whom Liu then brought to the United States to work for her on B-1 visas. Liu paid them significantly less than the contractual amount and forced them to work excessive hours. In November 2010, Liu recruited and solicited a female citizen of Manila, Phillippines (identified in the plea agreement as Female Victim #1) to come to the United States to work as a housekeeper for her residence. Liu sent a signed contract via both Federal Express and fax from Kansas City, Mo., to Manila, which contained fraudulent terms of employment. The employment contract, which was used to obtain a B-1 visa for the victim, required that she be paid $1,240 per month to work 40 hours a week, eight hours a day. It only required her to be present in the residence during work hours. Liu admitted that she did not intend to comply with these terms. From March 6, 2011 to August 2011, contrary to the terms of the contract, Liu only paid the victim $450 a month, increased her work hours to 16-18 hours per day, and required that she work on the weekends and holidays. Liu had surveillance cameras installed inside the residence to monitor the victim and did not allow her to leave the residence without supervision or permission. The government’s investigation uncovered evidence that Liu had earlier engaged in the same conduct with another employee. Although the original federal criminal complaint charged Liu with conduct related to Female Victim #1, the affidavit filed in support of that complaint referred to a second victim. As part of the plea agreement, Liu is required to accept responsibility for the prior victim (identified in the plea agreement as Female Victim #2), also a woman from the Philippines, whom Liu employed in 2009-2010. Liu is the Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office located in Kansas City, Mo. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) is one of 13 offices responsible for maintaining close unofficial relations between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan. They are generally the equivalent of a consulate of a foreign government, but the United States does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state.
Elyria, Ohio, United States
Davis was arrested earlier this year after the FBI launched an investigation when they saw a photo of a girl they knew to be under the age of 18 on the website Backpage.com.
Pulaski Road and Augusta Blvd., Chicago, Illinois, USA, United States
Datqunn Sawyer, 32, was convicted November 21, 2011 of running a sex trafficking ring in which nine victims were forced into prostitution. The conviction came after a federal jury deliberated for several hours beginning November 18, 2011, according to a press release issued by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. Sawyer was convicted after a two-week trial of 10 counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors by force. During the trial, officials said that Sawyer acted as a pimp who preyed on vulnerable victims including girls who were young, homeless, or runaways, officials said. Officials said eight of the victims were between 13 and 17. Sawyer used violence and threats of violence to exploit them sexually, knowing they were minors, officials said. Six victims testified during the trial that Sawyer recruited and groomed the victims by initially concealed that he was a pimp but promised riches and glamour if they stayed with him, officials said. He ran the ring between 2006 and 2010, officials said. He convinced the victims that he loved them and wanted to be in a long-term romantic relationship, according to officials. Sawyer also used threats and beatings to enforce a rigid set of rules that left him in control of the victims, officials said.To maintain control he had sex with the victims and impregnated three of them, officials said. Sawyer even gave the victims nicknames beginning with "P" including Precious, Paradise, Pooh, Peaches, because his own nickname was "P-Child". He also had them call him "Daddy" and had his nickname tattooed on their arms. If they spoke back to him or disrespected him he threatened them or beat them, officials said. He also forbade them from speaking with or even looking at other men except for clients, officials said. “Pooh”, whose real name is Angelique, was soon put on the streets to prostitute herself, and even given a quota – she had to have sex with five to 15 men every day, she testified. Sometimes, when she had a “good day,” she said she was rewarded with McDonald’s. As the months wore on, there was one day, after Sawyer dropped her off at the so-called “track” along Cicero Avenue that she testified she just couldn’t do it. She took off her high heels, sat down on the concrete and wept, she said. That’s when she said Sawyer appeared from the alley. “You stupid bitch, you’re supposed to be making my money!” she said he snapped at her. He grabbed her discarded heel and beat her head with it until she started bleeding, she said. She ran off to her grandmother’s house. But like many of the girls who lived in an apartment with Sawyer at Augusta Boulevard and Pulaski Road on the city’s West Side, Angelique returned to Sawyer. Two other men, Kevin Sharp, 53, and Waymond Orr, 33, who worked as drivers and security guards for Sawyer pleaded guilty before Sawyer's trial. Sawyer paid Sharp and Orr in cash and gave them clothes, food, and housing, in exchange for driving victims to and from sexual encounters on the street, referred to as “working the track,” including various locations on and around Cicero Avenue. Other locations were arranged through online advertisements, such as on Craigslist and similar web sites. Sharp and Orr watched victims to make sure they were not arrested or “stolen” by another pimp. On occasion, Sawyer told Sharp and Orr to watch victims and make sure they did not leave while Sawyer was away from the house. Both Sharp and Orr knew about Sawyer’s rules and were present when Sawyer beat his victims.
Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA, United States
Mi Sun Cho was convicted November 8, 2011 for her role in an international sex trafficking conspiracy. After a one-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Wood, Cho was found guilty of conspiring with others to induce or entice women to travel across state lines for the purpose of engaging in prostitution, and for personally transporting individuals across state lines for the same purpose. Cho is the last of 17 defendants to be convicted as part of this wide-ranging, international conspiracy. Two other defendants charged in the conspiracy remain fugitives. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “The conviction of Mi Sun Cho closes a chapter in the prosecution of those responsible for a vast, international sex trafficking ring that exploited countless women. This guilty verdict also sends a clear message to others engaging in similar conduct that they will be punished.” According to the superseding indictment and the evidence presented at trial: A network of brothels in the Koreatown section of Manhattan masqueraded as massage parlors and used various brokers and taxi drivers to provide a steady supply of women to engage in prostitution. Cho was a broker who supplied prostitutes from New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Korea to these brothels, which were operated by other defendants in the case. Brokers like Cho received anywhere from $200 to $500 each from both the brothel owners and the prostitutes for facilitating connections between them.
San Diego, California, USA, United States
The charges are the result of "Operation Vice Grip," an 18-month investigation spearheaded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oceanside Police Department and the Escondido Police Department. Operation Vice Grip focused on prostitution activities orchestrated by members and associates of the Oceanside Crips street gang. According to court documents, in recent years this street gang has focused its for-profit criminal activity on promoting and managing prostitution in San Diego County and throughout the United States. The gang-controlled prostitution spawned a "pimping" subculture that enforced strict rules with consequences for individuals who violated them. In addition, the following agencies provided substantial assistance with the investigation - the U.S. Marshals Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Carlsbad Police Department; the North County Gang Task Force; the Riverside County Sheriff's Department - Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Team; and the San Diego County Jurisdictions United for Drug and Gang Enforcement (JUDGE) Task Force.
San Mateo County, United States
Police entered a hotel room to find a 19-year-old girl in only a bra and underwear. The girl claimed that Armstrong was forcing her to prostitute herself. Armstrong was arrested.
Bellingham, Washington, USA, United States
On August 22, 2011 Cherry Valera, 44, and Bernard Salvatierra, 46, a married couple from Bellingham, Washington were sentenced by U.S. District Judge James L. Robart in connection with their May 10, 2011 guilty pleas. Valera pleaded guilty to harboring an alien for financial gain and Salvatierra pleaded guilty to unlawful employment of an alien. Valera was sentenced to four months in prison and 100 hours of community service during two years of supervised release. Salvatierra was sentenced to 6 months of home detention with electronic monitoring. According to court filings, Valera recruited an impoverished, young woman from the Philippines to be her family’s live-in domestic servant. Valera and Salvatierra employed the victim from August 2006 until September 2009, when she escaped. During her employment, the victim was required to work seven days a week, providing full-time childcare, cleaning, cooking and other domestic services. The victim endured verbal abuse and threats during her stay with the defendants, who paid the victim $200 to $240 per month.
Mission, Texas, USA, United States
Beleal Garcia-Gonzalez, 35, of Mission, Texas was convicted Sept. 23, 2010 after a three-day jury trial. He was charged with three counts of sex trafficking, one count of conspiracy to harbor aliens and six counts of harboring aliens. During his September 2010 trial, the jury heard testimony that underage illegal aliens were being forced to work and being prostituted at the El Paraiso Bar in Mission, Texas. Ultimately, agents rescued three girls, ages 14, 15 and 17, working at the bar and being prostituted by Garcia-Gonzalez, the bar's owner. The jury learned that the three minors had been living with their family in Honduras when they were promised a job working at a restaurant making $700 a week in the United States. In court, the girls testified that the defendant spoke to their mother on the phone to make the arrangements. The girls were illegally smuggled into the United States expecting jobs. Instead, they worked at Garcia-Gonzalez' bar making only $120 a week which was deducted from the $4,500 fees they each “owed” Garcia-Gonzalez for being smuggled into the country. Garcia-Gonzalez told the girls that they could make $3 for every beer that a customer bought them and that they could keep any money they made having sex with customers, minus $50 they would have to pay him. The girls began working by selling and drinking beer with the customers. However, they soon realized they were not making any money because Garcia-Gonzalez never paid them. Needing money, the girls turned to the only other option Garcia-Gonzalez had given them - prostitution. Garcia-Gonzalez was charged along with several other co-defendants and who were also sentenced on Tuesday. Cesar Enrique Sarmiento-Mendoza, 33, of Honduras, worked at the bar and was left in charge of the bar when Garcia-Gonzalez was not there. Jenny Beatris Parada-Ponce, 27, of El Salvador, who was a prostitute herself, explained to the girls about prostitution among other things. Sarmeinto-Mendoza and Parada-Ponce each pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking prior to Garcia-Gonzalez's trial. Judge Crane sentenced Sarmiento-Mendoza to seven years of imprisonment; Parada-Ponce was sentenced to six years. Two others were also charged as a result of this ICE HSI investigation. Elizabeth Mendez-Vasquez, 23, of Mexico, and Maria Luisa Vasquez-Garcia, 21, of Mexico, were also charged and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to harbor aliens on Aug. 27, 2010. Mendez-Vasquez was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment
Spring Street, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, United States
Prontiss Houseworth, 18, of Conyers, Georgia was arrrested Friday August 26, 2011 at the Knights Inn on Spring Street in Nashville, TN and charged with four counts of trafficking for sexual servitude, one count of promoting prostitution and a weapon charge for allegedly carrying brass knuckles. Police found four young women — two 18-year-olds, a 23-year-old and a 24-year-old — with Houseworth but consider them victims in Houseworth’s alleged crimes. According to police, the man forced the women to travel with him from Atlanta to Nashville where an undercover officer, responding to the online ad, met two of the women at the motel and made a deal to have sex with them for $180 plus a $20 tip. One of the alleged victims told police Houseworth threatened to kill the women and their families if the women didn’t cooperate with him, calling them “slaves” and saying “the only way that they could leave was in a body bag,” according to a police affidavit. One of the women also allegedly told police Houseworth punched her in the head and duct-taped her hands together and her mouth shut.
San Mateo County, United States
The couple was charged with child sex trafficking after officers discovered them at the Travelodge on Airport Boulevard in August with three teenage girls who said they were being held by force as prostitutes, according to police.
Annapolis, Maryland, USA, United States
Jose Antonio Reyes-Maradiaga, a 28-year-old El Salvadoran national, residing in Annapolis, Maryland, pleaded guilty on November 1, 2011 to transporting individuals to engage in prostitution in Annapolis and Easton, Md. According to Jose Antonio Reyes-Maradiaga's plea agreement, he assisted a codefendant who operated prostitutions near Annapolis and Easton, Md. On numerous occasions between June and November 2010, he was observed operating or riding in vehicles used to transport prostitutes between the brothels. Reyes-Maradiaga used cell phones to support the prostitution business. On June 28, 2010, police stopped the vehicle Reyes-Maradiaga was operating. He was transported to the police station for processing due to driving without a license. Law enforcement searched his property which resulted in the recovery of two picture identification cards – one from El Salvador in the name of Jose Antonio Reyes-Maradiago and a Mexican license in the name of Luis Alberto Reyes – and a store receipt dated that same day for paper towels, condoms and other supplies for the brothel. Law enforcement also recovered $723.76 in cash and two cell phones containing the phone number for the Annapolis brothel.
Denver, CO, United States
The victim had been contacted approximately 3 weeks prior to the date of the investigation by a male known to her as “Big Red,” asking if she wanted to make money as a prostitute. She joined “Big Red” at his houset in Denver, where she was placed under the authority of “Carmell,” held down on a bed, and tattooed with “Carmell” on her chest. While she was at the house, “Carmell” and the suspect used a website and telephone service called “LiveLinks” to arrange sexual dates. “Carmell” also forced the victim to wear lingerie and a wig and pose for pictures, which were posted online. The victim relates that she was expected to earn at least $100 per day. While at the house, the victim had four separate “dates” in which she performed sex acts for money. All sex acts took place in the “sex room,” which was right across from the suspect’s room. The suspect handled all the money, and the victim received no monetary compensation. Until June 14, 2011, the victim was a minor (only 17 years old). Her age was known to the other residents of the house, as they held an 18th birthday party for her. On June 15, 2011, the victim attempted to leave the house after a verbal dispute broke out, in which the victim was accused of not cleaning the house. As she was attempting to leave, was assaulted by the suspects. The victim was able to walk to another house on the street, where she was able to call police.
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
"All 10 defendants were arrested by the SWAT team of the Baltimore police on October 12." --The Associated Press http://www.statesman.com/news/texas/el-paso-prostitution-ring-defendant-denied-bail-1946210.html "When Child Protective Services started an investigation into the reported abuse and neglect of at least five children living in the household, the 10 defendants fled altogether taking their victims with them, added the FBI agent. Angell also testified that Reemer drove one of the vehicles in which the victims were taken to Colorado during their flight." --The Baltimore Sun
Orange, California, USA, United States
Samuel Martinez Gonzalez, 26, of Santa Ana, Calif., was charged in a criminal complaint filed August 15, 2011 in U.S. District Court with transporting minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, one of the teens told investigators that Martinez invited them to go to California to "go to the beach." After arriving in California, the affidavit describes how the defendant took the girls shopping for “hoochie” dresses and high heels for their "job." The affidavit alleges that, in addition to the three Texas teens, Martinez had a fourth minor in his custody who was already working for him as a prostitute. At the time of his arrest, Martinez was accompanied by three females, including one of the teenage girls from Texas. The affidavit states that approximately one hour later, HSI agents and officers from the Orange Police Department located the two other missing teens in a motel room in Orange, California. According to the court document, the girls - who are 15 and 16 years old - told agents they were relieved they had been rescued and looked forward to being reunited with their families. During the probe, investigators found receipts in Gonzalez’s wallet for condoms and empty boxes of condoms in the motel room. Investigators also picked up a call to his cell phone from someone who wanted to arrange sexual services.
Norwalk, Connecticut, USA, United States
Harry Franklin, also known as “Streets” and “Uncle Stacks,” 27, of the Bronx, N.Y., pleaded guilty on October 26, 2011 before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport, CT to one count of transportation of an individual with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The charge stems from Franklin’s involvement in an interstate prostitution enterprise that included the sex trafficking of two minor victims. According to court documents and statements made in court, Franklin facilitated the transportation of a woman and also a girl, who was 14-years-old at the time, from New York to Connecticut so that they could work in a prostitution business that Theodore Briggs was running out of an apartment in Norwalk, Conn. In pleading guilty, Franklin admitted that, in November and December 2010, he and others transported the woman from Connecticut to New York to engage in prostitution. He also admitted that he facilitated the transportation of the minor victim across state lines to engage in commercial sex acts. On October 25, 2011, Theodore Briggs, also known as “PeeJaye,” pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of an individual under the age of 18 with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
Pocatello, Idaho, USA, United States
James Russell Ashley, 46, of Augusta, Georgia, and Wayne Allen Ginnis, 28, of Seattle, Washington, were indicted August 24, 2011 by a federal grand jury in Pocatello, Idaho, for transporting a minor in interstate commerce with intent to have sexual activity with the minor, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Ashley was arraigned August 24, 2011 in United States District Court in Pocatello. He entered a not guilty plea to the indictment. The case is set for trial on October 18, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge. As of August 2011, Ginnis was in state custody in Texas and had not yet appeared on the indictment. The indictment alleges that on or about May 2, 2011, Ashley and Ginnis purchased bus tickets for two girls, ages 12 and 13, both from Pocatello, Idaho to travel to Hollywood, California, with the intent to engage in sexual activity with the girls. The girls and the men met on an Internet game site and later talked by cell phone.
Evans, Georgia, USA, United States
A Georgia couple accused of harboring illegal aliens for commercial advantage and then laundering the proceeds was arrested November 2011 following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Criminal Investigations Division and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. An alleged scheme involving more than $400,000 earned by an Evans couple through the use of illegal immigrants brought the husband and wife before a federal judge Monday. Hugo Diaz, 43, and Blanca Miranda de Diaz, 42, of Evans, Ga., appeared in federal court after being indicted by a federal grand jury. The indictment also charges four of the illegal aliens with unlawful entry into the United States. The indictment charges Hugo and Blanca Diaz with four counts of harboring illegal aliens and one count of money laundering conspiracy. Hugo is also charged with 10 counts of money laundering. Each of these crimes carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of proceeds from Diaz's crimes, including multiple parcels of real estate in Georgia and South Carolina, as well as 10 vehicles. The indictment says the couple sheltered the immigrants, then used five Suntrust bank accounts to spend the illegally gained money. That earned them one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and nine counts of money laundering. Authorities did not say if the illegal imigrants worked for Diaz, who owns De La Fuente construction in Grovetown, according to the Better Business Bureau. One of the transactions listed in the indictment include a wire transfer to someone in Mexico with the last name Diaz De La Fuente. Other transactions include a $173,380 over-the-counter withdrawal to an Augusta law firm handling a real estate transaction and a $50,000 over-the-counter withdrawal for a pool company. The indictment includes a forfeiture list of property the U.S. government intends to seize as alleged gains from the conspiracy. Those properties listed are one on Grace Avenue, two Augusta homes on the 2900 block of Aylesbury Drive and 100 block of Clark Street, and several lots in the Green Acres subdivision on Metz Drive in North Augusta. Ten vehicles, including a 2008 Lexus sedan, several pickup trucks and 15-passenger van, are also on the forfiture list. The defendants went before U.S. Magistrate Leon Barfield, who explained through an interpreter their legal rights and the charges they faced. All the defendants pled not guilty; they will remain in federal custody pending a case resolution. The Diaz couple face up to 10 years in prison for each count of the indictment.
Tampa, Florida, USA, United States
The cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. The ICE investigation is part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to identify, investigate and arrest those who prey on children, including human traffickers, international sex tourists, Internet pornographers, and foreign-national predators whose crimes make them deportable. ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com. The Innocence Lost national initiative of the FBI addresses domestic child prostitution through 39 task forces and working groups around the nation. To date, the 39 Innocence Lost Task Forces and Working Groups have recovered 1,250 children. Both cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel Moore Lee for the Middle District of Florida.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
The trafficker is Sean Patrick, a 37-year-old pimp from Milwaukee. Patrick was charged with child sex trafficking on 10/26/2011 in federal court in Milwaukee. The charges pertain to the trafficking of three girls, whom he forced to work as prostitutes between 2006 and 2010. They were trafficked to Chicago and other locations not specified in the sources. Patrick often transported the girls in a van on which he had painted "Ho Hauler" and forced the girls to pose nude outside the van for his friends. The victims were forced to sell sex 5-7 nights per week and turn the money over to Patrick. The victims were subjected to physical violence if they failed to make enough money. Information regarding how the victims were recruited, their ages, or the length of time each was in bondage is not available from the sources.
El Paso, Texas, USA, United States
Alarcon Allen Wiggins, 43, was arrested on October 12, 2011, along with nine other Baltimore residents, who are charged with one count of transportation for prostitution and one count of coercion and enticement. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in El Paso on October 5, 2011 alleges that since December 2009, the defendants, aided and abetted by one another, knowingly transported individuals in interstate commerce, as well as enticed individuals to travel in interstate commerce, to engage in prostitution. Information provided during the detention hearings in federal court in Baltimore revealed that the defendants, as directed by Wiggins, recruited and transported several females to El Paso and other locations in order to engage in prostitution. In addition, the defendants confiscated all of the proceeds from the prostitution activities as well all identification documents and personal communication devices, namely cell phones and laptop computers, in order to keep their victims from fleeing or seeking help. Other defendants arrested include: 20-year-old DeAngelo Perry Smith (aka “D-Lo“); 23-year-old Deyonta Thompson (aka “Wezz Fresh“); 18-year-old Marc Corey Williams (aka “DJ Yung Rock,” and “J-Rock“); 28-year-old Martes Milton Jackson (aka “Tuesday“); 25-year-old Shelby Nicole Smith (aka “Bebe“); 30-year-old Roxanne Michelle Mitchell (aka “Nakira,” “Foxy,” “Roxy,” “Mama,” and “Cherish“); 26-year-old Amanda Gayle Darbonne (aka “Kristale,” and “Kristal“); 24-year-old Holly N. Reemer (aka “Amira“); and, 22-year-old Brandi L. Minnich (aka “Natasha“). Wiggins has an extensive arrest record in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, records show. He's been convicted three times since 1994 of misdemeanor theft and twice of drug possession, including marijuana. His longest stint in jail was 90 days, court records show. As of November 17, 2011, seven of 10 members of the El Paso ring that authorities say forced women into prostitution will be re-arraigned after a grand jury returned a superseding indictment in the case. The accused ringleader, Alarcon Wiggins, 43, and nine others are charged with sex trafficking induced by force, fraud or coercion and conspiracy to transport for prostitution. One of them has already been re-arraigned and two others remain in Baltimore. Authorities say Wiggins, a self-proclaimed recording artist, used his ties to the music industry to entice women to move to El Paso and then forced them into prostitution. The indictment alleges the defendants took the women's earnings, documents and cell phones so they couldn't seek help.
Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C, United States
Investigation by (ICE) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Convicted of conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation of a minor for prostitution. He faced a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Miami, Florida, USA, United States
ICE special agents in Miami identified Jorge Velasquez and Jaime Velazquez-Zompantzi, 26 as responsible for forcing the two females in Florida into prostitution. ICE special agents also determined that the Velazquez brothers had held the female victim’s children captive in Mexico and prohibited the victims from contacting their children. In May 2010, ICE HSI special agents in Miami requested assistance from the ICE Attaché Mexico City special agents regarding this ongoing human trafficking investigation after the two female human trafficking victims from Mexico were identified in Florida. On May 12, 2010, ICE special agents presented the investigation to Secretary of Public Safety (SSP) Border Enforcement Security Task Force officers in Mexico for enforcement action, and ICE special agents assisted those officers with locating and identifying the organization’s leaders in Mexico. Subsequently, on June 6, 2010, Assistant Attorney General for Special Investigations (SIEDO) and SSP officers executed search warrants on a business and residence belonging to the Zompantzi family, an alleged human trafficking organization operating in Tenancingo, Tlaxcala, Mexico. SSP officers arrested Jaime Velazquez-Zompantzi, Jorge Velazquez-Zompantzi, Fausto Velazquez-Zompantzi, and Severina Zompantzi, all Mexican nationals, indicted in Mexico on federal charges to include trafficking of persons and organized crime. During the search of the Mexican business, SSP officers found four minors suspected of being the children of trafficked victims currently in the United States. Two of the minors were identified as the children of the two female human trafficking victims in Florida. In 2011, Mexican authorities successfully prosecuted Jorge Velasquez for his role in this commercial sex trafficking ring. Velasquez was sentenced in Mexico to 18 years and 3 months in prison. Mexico prosecuted Velasquez along with three other Mexican traffickers.
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, United States
According to the facts filed with the court at the time of the plea, Jane Doe met Maurice Alexander and Latoshia Norris in the Minneapolis area around May 2010. Doe told them that she was 17 years old, when she was actually 16 years old. Alexander invited Doe to live with them after she was abandoned on the street by a third party. Alexander and Norris bought food and clothing for her and quickly trained her to work as a prostitute. Alexander also gave her marijuana and alcohol. Doe told investigators that Alexander was her pimp, who kept the proceeds of the commercial sex. Alexander also drove Doe and Norris to other cities, including Des Moines, Indianapolis and the Kansas City area for commercial sex after he and Norris posted her advertisement on Backpage.com. Doe eventually left Alexander and Norris and moved to St. Louis without them. Prior to moving she left a letter for them revealing her true age of 16. Alexander continued to travel the circuit with Norris, eventually returning to St. Louis. Sometime between August and September 2010, Doe met Alexander and Norris in St. Louis and they all shared alcohol and marijuana. The trio decided to post advertisements in Indianapolis for Norris and Doe to solicit for commercial sex. Alexander drove the females to an Indiana hotel, but they did not meet any potential customers, so he drove Doe back to St. Louis and they parted ways again.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, United States
Omelyan Botsvynyuk, 52, and Stepan Botsvynyuk, 36, were convicted October 12, 2011 of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in connection with a human trafficking scheme. Omelyan was also convicted of one count of extortion. From the fall of 2000 through the spring of 2007, the brothers conspired to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity by operating a human trafficking organization which smuggled young Ukrainian immigrants into the United States and then forced them to work for the brothers with little or no pay. The defendants promised the victims they would earn $500 per month with free room and board by working for the Botsvynyuk organization. Once the workers were smuggled into the United States, the brothers confiscated the immigration documents, then put the victims to work on cleaning crews in retail stores, private homes, and office buildings without paying them. The brothers used physical force, threats of force, sexual assault, and debt bondage to keep the victims in involuntary servitude. The brothers also threatened violence to the workers’ families who still residing in Ukraine. One female worker was brutally raped on several occasions by Omelyan. Prosecutors described the defendants as the "enforcers" of the enterprise in America, while brothers in the Ukraine served as recruiters. The recruiting was easy, given the lack of economic opportunity, they said. Omelyan Botsvynyuk was acquitted of similar charges at a trial in the Ukraine. The Botsvynyuks housed the victims in deplorable conditions and insisted they work for years until they pay off smuggling debts of $10,000 to $50,000, according to the indictment filed last year. The workers were moved frequently throughout the mid-Atlantic, where they said they often spent 16-hour days cleaning stores, offices and supermarkets. Some escaped despite the threats, prosecutors said. Authorities have said the retail stores were unaware of the situation, because they hired cleaning crews through contractors."I think every business should know who's working for them, but this is a common practice in all large businesses, they use subcontractors to hire workers," said Asst. U.S. Atty General Daniel A. Velez. Velez said he hoped the verdict would lead to more prosecutions of human-trafficking cases in the United States. The Botsvynyuk crews cleaned WalMart, Target, Kmart, Safeway, and other retail stores, along with homes and offices in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New York and New Jersey. Juror Joe Higgins, a Teamsters Union trucker from Northeast Philadelphia, said: "They (stores) should check into what kind of contractors they're using to clean their stores. Do a little bit of digging, and make sure they're not using illegal aliens," said Higgins, 53. "Just because it's cheapest, it's not (always) right." The two defendants were indicted with three other brothers: Mykhaylo and Dmytro Botsvynyuk are awaiting extradition from Canada; Yaroslav Botsvynyuk is reportedly dead.
Reno, Nevada, USA, United States
On November 9, 2011, Kemp Shiffer, 58, of Reno, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben to one count of transporting an individual in interstate commerce for purposes of prostitution. The plea agreement filed in the case states that on about July 25, 2011, Shiffer transported an individual identified as “C.M.,” from California to Nevada with the intent that “C.M.” would engage in prostitution when she arrived in Nevada. Shiffer engaged in coercive conduct in order to compel “C.M.” to engage in prostitution, and Shiffer was the organizer, leader, manager, and supervisor of the criminal activity, which included another participant, identified in the plea agreement as “E.H.”, who helped Shiffer recruit and transport “C.M.” from California to Nevada. As the investigation into Shiffer's dealings continued, Reno PD says that Shiffer retired from the United States Internal Revenue Service years ago but believe he may have been using his IRS badge to further his recruitment efforts into prostitution. His recruiting may go back as far as 10 years. Aside from his stint as an IRS agent, Shiffer was also an accounting instructor at the University of Nevada, Reno. According to Lahontan Valley News Shiffer along with David Houston and John Kirsch applied for a brothel license in 2006 but were denied.
Tampa, Florida, USA, United States
Eric Antwan Bell (37,Tampa) was indicted September 29, 2011 by a grand jury. The indictment charges Bell with four counts of conspiracy to entice a minor to engage in a commercial sex act, four counts of enticing a minor to engage in a commercial sex act, three counts of production of child pornography, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the indictment, Bell, along with a co-conspirator, enticed four minor victims to engage in prostitution. Bell and his co-conspirator lived off of the prostitution proceeds. Bell produced child pornography of the four minors and possessed multiple firearms after being convicted of a felony offense. One of his victims, a 15 year old, told Bell, who identified himself as “Santana”, she was 15. Bell raped her as soon as he got her to his home in the Highland Pines neighborhood near U.S. 41 and Interstate 4, court documents say. He also made her undress, took pictures of her and uploaded them onto Internet sites, advertising her as an escort, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Tampa in January. For the next three weeks, "Santana" raped her daily, videotaped her sexual encounters with adult men and threatened to kill her if she told anyone, the girl told detectives. According to the complaint, she charged about $150 per "date," performed 15 to 20 "tricks" a day and estimated that she handed over $40,000 to $50,000 to the man during the time she lived with him. The girl who told investigators that Bell often wore a gun in his waistband. She said Bell sold oxycodone and marijuana from the home. Authorities did not provide details about how the girl eventually got away from Bell. Investigators serving a search warrant at Bell's home found firearms, ammunition, body armor, and cameras and computers containing pornographic images of the victims, the complaint said.
minneapolis, United States
MAURICE DONTAE ALEXANDER - Male - 24 And LATOSHIA NORRIS - Female. Both of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Maurice Alexander has been sentenced to 72 months in prison, followed by supervised release for life. His female associate is scheduled to be sentenced.
Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA, United States
GIOVANNI VAZQUEZ, also known as “Screech,” 24, of Norwalk, pleaded guilty on September 29, 2011 before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport to one count of transportation of an individual with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The charge stems from VAZQUEZ’ involvement in an interstate prostitution enterprise that included the sex trafficking of two minor victims. According to court documents and statements made in court, VAZQUEZ and others were involved in a prostitution business. In pleading guilty, VAZQUEZ admitted that, in November 2010, he and a co-defendant transported a victim from Connecticut to New York to engage in prostitution. VAZQUEZ also admitted that he and others trafficked other victims, including two minors who were 14-years-old and 17-years-old, across state lines to engage in prostitution.
Sacramento, CA, United States
22-year-old Tynisha Marie Hornbuckle, 25-year-old Tamrell Rena Hornbuckle, 23-year-old Latrelle Alicia Hornbuckle, 24-year-old Cherrelle Elizabeth Hornbuckle, 43-year-old Tammy Rena Brown, and 24-year-old Jacquelin Lanoise Radisha Wade
College Park, Georgia, USA, United States
On February 20, 2009, the Metro Atlanta Child Exploitation Task Force (“MATCH,”)established an undercover operation at a hotel in the Northern District of Georgia, for the purpose of rescuing minors being caused to engage in prostitution. An undercover task force officer made a date for sex with a girl based upon her advertisement found in the erotic services section of Craigslist. The girl, advertised as “Mya” and 19, who appeared naked in the advertisement, looked underage. Upon arriving at the hotel, “Mya” met with the undercover agent, made an offer of prostitution services, and was arrested. Investigators subsequently identified “Mya” as a 16-year-old child. The advertisement of “Mya” had been placed on the Internet website by another individual at the direction of Pressley. Pressleyknew that “Mya” was a minor, having known the child since she was 15 years old. In September 2008, Atlanta Police were called to Grady Hospital regarding a 17-year-old female who had come to the hospital for treatment. Investigation into the erotic services section of Craigslist.com revealed that beginning in April 2009, a photograph of this minor was located posting sexual services in Atlanta by Pressley. At the time of the postings, the girl was 17 years old.
Sand Spings, South Carolina, United States
Two Tulsa women say Vincent Broussard, a man from Texas offered them a ride to an east side bar. When they got in the car with him, he did not go to the bar, but instead kept driving, threatening to take the women all the way to Texas. Then he stopped at an RV park and attempted to sell the two women to another man. They were able to flee.
San Diego, California, USA, United States
Hamilton was sentenced August 22, 2011 in federal court in San Diego by the Honorable William Q. Hayes to serve 141 months in custody and 10 years of supervised release following his release from prison based on Hamilton’s conviction for one count of sex trafficking of a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591. Hamilton entered his guilty plea on November 9, 2010.
Dorchester, MA, United States
The trafficker compelled two girls, a 15 year-old and a 16 year-old, into prostitution – and he collected the profits that resulted. The trafficker allegedly used his cellphone to take pictures of the two girls and then posted the images on the website, backpage.com, in an advertisement offering sex with the girls in return for a fee. The Trafficker allegedly drove the girls to hotels and motels in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk counties where they engaged in sex with johns who had arranged a meeting through the trafficker using the telephone or email. The trafficker also allegedly had sex with the 15-year-old girl several times, prosecutors alleged.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, United States
Police said Kendel Morrel, 22, not only coerced a 17-year-old girl to sell herself for sex, but he also tried to sell her for a three-day period as a sex slave. Action 7 News spoke with the undercover agent who exposed the crime. “I believe whole-heartedly that this girl initially started out thinking there would be a job -- a connection possibly turning into a relationship,” said the undercover agent. The teen met Morrell over Facebook, police said. When the teen posted a notification asking for a job, Morrell jumped at the opportunity, according to the agent. “Conversation went over for a period of time, where he was really grooming her for the act of prostitution,” said the undercover agent. Morrell told the girl she'd be selling hip-hop magazines and CDs, but soon the story changed, according to police. Police said he coaxed the underage girl to have sex, then gave her a phone and instructions. “(He said) whenever you answer it, you need to say that it's X amount of dollars for 15 min. X amount for 30 min. X amount for an hour's time -- you're going to treat these guys fair,” said the undercover agent. Police said Morrell posted racy photos of the girl on Backpage.com to find clients. The girl told police that he made her have sex with at least one man who knew she was underage. Police also said that Morrell took the 17-year-old to a meeting with several other people and agreed to sell [her] for $3,000 for three days.
Minnesota, USA, United States
28-year-old Minnesota pimp, Byronte Juwann Reed. Trafficked individual in Minnesota and Chicago. Lived with trafficked person.
Atlanta, Georgia, USA, United States
On November 23, 2010, a federal jury convicted Amador Cortes-Meza, 36, of Tlaxcala, Mexico, of multiple charges of sex trafficking and human smuggling offenses related to a scheme to force women and juveniles into prostitution. The jury found Cortes-Meza guilty on all 19 counts after a trial lasting approximately two weeks. According to U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates, “This defendant preyed on the most vulnerable of victims--girls and young women hoping for a better life-- through promises of jobs or marriage. He then physically abused them, enslaved them, and forced them into prostitution. According to the evidence presented in court, from Spring 2006 through June 2008, Amador Cortes-Meza and others charged in the conspiracy recruited and enticed approximately 10 victims to enter the United States illegally from Mexico and come to the Atlanta area. Amador Cortes-Meza then forced them into prostitution for the financial benefit of the members of the conspiracy. He lured the young women and girls to the U.S. by promising better lives, legitimate employment or romantic relationships with him. A brother and two nephews of Amador Cortes-Meza were previously convicted after pleading guilty to sex trafficking charges related to this scheme. Nine of the victims addressed the court about what they suffered at the hands of this sex trafficking ring, telling of physical threats, beatings, and intimidation which caused them to work as prostitutes against their will. Evidence at trial showed that after smuggling the victims into the United States, Amador Cortes-Meza forced them to engage in prostitution by isolating them from their families, brutally beating them, and threatening to harm them and their loved ones. One victim testified that he told her that “he was going to hit her where it hurt the most” and she took that to mean he was going to go after her family. Another victim testified that the defendant told her he would kill her parents in Mexico if he was ever arrested. On a nightly basis, Amador Cortes-Meza provided the victims to drivers who drove them to apartments and homes in Duluth, Ga.; Chamblee, Ga.; Canton, Ga.; Marietta, Ga.; Forrest Park, Ga.; and as far away as Alabama and North Carolina to provide commercial sex to as many as 40 customers a night. The victims testified that the clients were charged $25-30 for 10 to 15 minutes of time with them from which the drivers were given $10.
Saco, Maine, USA, United States
Three suspects were arrested and charged with kidnapping. During the investigation, police obtained a search warrant for “the room and a 2001 BMW sport utility vehicle, seizing records, cellular telephones, computers and cash. Police impounded the car.” After the arrest, the suspects were held in York County jail on a bail of $100,000. That bail was later lowered to $2500 for the two women and $1000 for the man. “Police say they are exploring charges of aggravated promotion of prostitution.”
Gershwin Avenue, Oakdale, CA, United States
An Oakdale woman has been charged with soliciting or inducing an individual to practice prostitution and engaging in the sex trafficking of an individual. The trafficker met the victim while substitute teaching at a program for young adults with disabilities and offered the victim the opportunity to earn extra money by giving messages at the traffickers’ home. She made arrangements to pick up the victim in the school’s parking lot and on April 22 drove the victim to her apartment. Once there the victim was told she could make money by giving massages and if she wanted to earn extra money she could provide sexual services. The trafficker then asked the victim to pose for photos which the trafficker later posted on a website along with the victim’s website. The trafficker would take the call and make the appointments. When a customer came to the apartment the trafficker took him the bedroom to give him a massage. The victim felt uncomfortable but could not leave as she didn’t have a ride from the apartment. She didn’t engage in any messages or sexual activity with the customer, however, she continued to receive phone calls from men wanting to receive messages and/or sexual services after she left the apartment. When interviewed by the police, the trafficker denied taking any photos of the victim, however, she later confessed to taking photos of the victim in lingerie and posting on the website. The police were able to retrieve seven images from the phone which she used to take the photos with. For the charges set against her the trafficker could face a maximum of 15 years in prison and $40,000 in fines for each count.
Sacramento, CA, United States
Police investigated the hotel on a tip, interviewed the girls, then arrested the couple and put them into a San Mateo jail to await hearing.
South Airport Blvd, San Francisco, CA, United States
The husband and 3 girls were taken into custody by the police. When questioned, all 3 girls reported that they were being forced into prostitution by the husband and wife. The wife was also later found at the hotel and arrested along with her husband – they were booked into San Mateo County Jail for human trafficking under the agoe of 18, pimping, pandering and conspiracy.
Zenith Ave, Lubbock, Texas, United States
A two-day trial has resulted in the conviction of a child sex trafficker. A U.S. District Judge convicted the male with sex trafficking of a child under the age of 18. He was arrested March 30th by Lubbock Police for related charges. Evidence presented at the trafficker's trial showed that he knowingly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained and maintained a minor female with knowledge that she was under the age of 18. Witnesses also testified that the trafficker would use the proceeds of the child prostitution to provide them with food, shelter, transportation and marijuana. The victims were 16 yrs old, and 18 yrs old. His sentencing date has not been set yet, the 25 year old could face life in prison and $250,000 fine.
San Francisco, CA, United States
A couple lured a Brazilian woman (who the wife knew as the victim was a childhood friend) to the U.S. by offering her free lodging at their home and work as the family’s housekeeper and nanny for $1,500 a month with the promise of pursuing a nursing degree and a better life for her and her son. However, once the victim began working, her traffickers took her passport from her, withheld pay and food, was physically attacked by the wife, and was sexually molested by the husband. The traffickers claimed to have immunity and therefore any accusation made by the victim against them would be fruitless.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
33 year old male, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to sex trafficking a minor, was sentenced to 15 years and eight months. The trafficker convinced a 13 year old girl from Marion, Illinois to run away to Chicago with him. There the trafficker forced her to prostitute herself. He allowed his cousin to rape her. And with the help of two of his “associates” held the girl down and branded her stomach with a tattoo of his middle name. From Chicago she was trafficked to Memphis, Tennessee. There she was able to contact her mother and inform her she was being forced into prostitution. Her mother called Memphis police who arrested the trafficker and took the young girl to Juvenile Detention as a runaway. The FBI later took over the case. The girl also informed the FBI of another 14 year old girl who the trafficker forced into prostitution. The young girl helped her escape. However, the trafficker has not been charged with exploiting anyone else.
Homewood, AL, United States
The Homewood Police Department investigated the crime after a referral from DHR. The police found that the child in question had been forced by the two traffickers to engage in sexual activities with a 36 year old man. The mother and grandmother arranged for the man to meet the child in a motel room. The US Marshall Service Fugitive Task Force arrested the man charged with the molestation of the child in question. The two traffickers were also arrested by the Homewood Police Department. All three perpetrators were charged with human trafficking, sodomy, and sexual abuse of a child under 12. Sources: http://birmingham.myfoxal.com/news/crime/two-women-wanted-sodomy-prostitution-child/72404 http://www.myfoxal.com/story/14368591/another-suspect-arrested-in-homewood-human-trafficking-case?redirected=true
Quincy, Massachusetts, United States
Hong Wei, a.k.a. Ms. Chen, 38, from Flushing, NY; Jing Liang, a.k.a. Mike Chen, 31, from Quincy MA; Xiang Hua, a.k.a. Darren Zhang, 27, from Flushing NY; Yu En, a.k.a. Eric Jin, 26, from Quincy, MA; Dong Kai Chem, 41, from Quincy, MA. All were arrested March, 31st, 2010 after a police raid on the Quincy brothel. Two of these men were previously arrested in Aug. 2005 after a police raid on the Peabody brothel run by Ms. Chen & Mike Chen. These traffickers ran several brothels out of various apartments scattered throughout the greater Boston area including Peabody, Quincy, Boston, Wellesly, Newton, Watertown, Somerville, Woburn, Burlington,Medford, Stoneham, & Malden. Most of these brothels have been in operation for at least the past 5 1/2 years. The traffickers enticed Asian women to travel to Massachusettes where they were put to work as prostitutes. They advertised in Chinese language papers in California, New York, & Massachusettes and on Craig's list and in the Boston Pheonix under the female escort section. It is reported that they paid over $13,125 to the Boston Pheonix over a 7 month period. The traffickers transported women by bus to South Station and then by car to various brothels throughout the greater Boston area. The women were lured or tricked into prostitution, being told they would be doing other types of work, and were forced to stay with threats to themselves or other family members and physical abuse if they did not comply with the demands of Ms. Chen. They also forced older women to work as domestic servants in the apartments (brothels) to take care of house cleaning and upkeeping of the apartments and taking care of the younger women as well.
Oakland, CA, United States
Members of a prostitution ring are charged with bringing Asian women into the Bay Area from Taiwan and China and forcing them into prostitution. Investigations began approximately a year before the arrests after neighborhood complaints about suspected prostitution activities in a home. The investigation revealed the home to be part of a chain of brothels. Law enforcement estimates that the chain had brought dozens of women into the country. Arrests were made in 10 locations around the Bay Area. Eight people were arrested, and ten women were brought into protective custody. The suspects were charged with conspiracy, pimping, pandering and human trafficking. They were all charged in the Alameda County Superior Court. “The suspects could face federal charges in addition to the local charges because federal agencies were part of the investigation.” (SF Examiner)
East Side, Detroit, Michigan, USA, United States
Mitchell faces charges that could land him in prison for life, including two counts of human trafficking, three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, racketeering, counts of prostitution, felonious assault and felony firearms. The specific charges are: • Two counts of Human Trafficking - Threats of Physical Harm Causing Injury (Involving Criminal Sexual Conduct), a felony punishable by life in prison; • One count of Criminal Sexual Conduct - First Degree (Personal Injury), a felony punishable by life in prison; • Two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct - First Degree (Relationship), a felony punishable by life in prison; • One count of Conducting Criminal Enterprises (Racketeering), a 20-year felony; • Two counts of Prostitution/Pandering, a 20-year felony; • Two counts of Prostitution - Accepting Earnings, a 20-year felony; • One count of Felonious Assault, a four-year felony; • One count of Felony Firearm - Second Offense, a 5-year felony; and, • One count of Felon in Possession of Firearm, a 5-year felony. A Michigan law banning human trafficking was strengthened in 2010 and went into effect in April 2011. The changes include adding trafficking to the list of offenses include under the state's racketeering law. It authorizes additional compensation for trafficking victims and stronger penalties.
Longview, Washington, USA, United States
Edk Kenit, 29, and Choimina Lukas, 31, a Micronesian couple living in Longview pleaded guilty Tuesday in a human trafficking case in which they were accused of forcing an 18-year-old woman from their homeland to work for them. Kenit and Lukas admitted in federal court in the Western District of Washington that in March 2010 they recruited the victim, identified in court documents as "S.S.," to care for their three children and do cooking and cleaning seven days a week without pay. Kenit, Lukas and S.S. all are from the Chuuk island group in the Micronesian archipelago in the South Pacific. Culturally, S.S. felt bound to obey her elders, who threatened to harm her if she disobeyed, according to court documents. Longview Police Detective Steve Dennis, the initial investigator on the case, said their families apparently knew one another, so Kenit and Lukas "made arrangements to fly her here. They promised her wealth and everything that comes with America." Once S.S. got to the U.S., Kenit and Lukas forced “S.S.” to care for their children without pay, Dennis said. Kenit and Lukas fed the victim and allowed her to live in their duplex apartment at 2008 46th Ave. But in July 2010 they forced her to take a job at Foster Farms and seized her pay until she finally quit the job in October, Dennis said. When she began objecting to her treatment, they hid her passport. Micronesians need only a passport but no visas to enter the United States, Dennis said. So the woman was living and working here legally. However, stripped of her paperwork and unable to speak English, she was left in a frightening situation, Dennis said.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
A 30 year old Atlanta man, Demetrius Homer (“Cateye”), was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on charges of sex trafficking of a minor. According to the U.S. Attorney Sally Yates, “HOMER recruited and enticed a juvenile girl by becoming her boyfriend. The victim, identified in the charges only by the initials “A.M.,” was 14 years old when HOMER met her and began to use a cycle of romance and violence to cause her to engage in prostitution. HOMER hit A.M., threatened A.M. with a knife, and even shocked her with a taser her in front of another juvenile he also placed in prostitution. From January 2009 through November 2009, HOMER took pictures of A.M. and placed advertisements of this young girl on the Internet site Backpage.com to solicit customers. The advertisements listed prices ranging from $60 to $175 depending on the amount of time booked and the location. HOMER would also pay for hotel rooms in the greater metropolitan Atlanta area where the commercial sex acts took place. HOMER even had A.M. engage in prostitution while she was pregnant with his child. HOMER took all the money from A.M. and another juvenile identified in the charges by the initials “J.F.,” which both of the juveniles had earned. HOMER also bonded out “A.M.” from police custody when she got arrested, knowing that she was a minor”.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
FBI agents say they arrested the 25-year-old male, of Kalamazoo Friday morning outside a hotel near Chicago, where he allegedly brought three females, two of them under the age of 18, from Michigan to engage in prostitution. Agents say Delaney thought he was bringing the girls to a bachelor party at the hotel, where they would engage in sexual activity with ten to twelve men, and charge between $150 and $300 per customer for various sexual acts, but was actually a sting operation to arrest Delaney following a long-term investigation. Agents say the three females were 16, 17 and 18 years old.
Hayward, California, USA, United States
Jerome Burns, convicted May 31, 2011. The 14 year old victim, Jane Doe, was previously enslaved by a child trafficker who sold her for sex in Hayward, San Jose and Salinas, CA. In December 2009, Jerome Burns approached the victim, who thought Burns was a john. Burns took Jane Doe and kept her in his hotel room, where he forced her to commit an act of prostitution for money and also had one of his friends use her services. Burns also forced the minor to orally copulate him twice and raped her twice as well. Burns also forced her to pose for provocative photos and posted them online on Craigslist and myredbook.com.
Glen Burnie, MD, United States
A 12 year old girls, was abducted from Washington , DC and taken to Atlantic City, N.J., to work as a prostitute. According to trafficker’s plea agreement, he took her there for a weekend where he had her work as a prostitute and taking all the money she earned. The girl had been reported missing on May 26, 2010. The girl was rescued on June 7, 2010, from a Laurel motel room by the task force after she called a relative when the trafficker was out. She told police that the trafficker had said they would have sex when he returned. The trafficker, who was arrested when he returned to the motel, initially claimed he thought the girl was 22 and denied having sex with her. He later admitted that he picked her up on the street in Washington and paid her for sex in the back seat of his car. He recruited her to work for him as a prostitute and then drove her to Atlantic City, where she performed multiple sex acts with adult males, according to his plea agreement. (US district judge) A federal judge in Baltimore has sentenced to a prison for transporting the girl across state lines to engage in prostitution. He was to serve 121 months in prison followed by 20 years of supervised release. The trafficker pleaded guilty in March. On his release from prison, he must also register as a sex offender where he lives, works and goes to school.
Forest Hill, Texas, United States
A male, 26, with previous misdemeanor convictions for burglary of a vehicle and drug possession A female, 19, sentenced to deferred-adjudication probation in a prostitution case The suspects, according to a Fort Worth Police Report, contacted the 17-year--old victim through mocospace.com and then forced her to participate in prostitution against her will. Primary Source(s): Internet--News Media (http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/02/28/2884606/3-arrested-in-human-trafficking.html) Secondary Source(s): Internet--News Media (http://www.examiner.com/human-trafficking-in-fort-worth/police-arrested-three-people-case-involving-human-trafficking)
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Charles Ford, a Las Vegas man, was found guilty of repeatedly raping and forcing a Canadian tourist to work as a prostitute. Ford was convicted in April 2011 by a Clark County jury. During the trial, the victim testified she had been a prostitute as a teenager, had stopped for many years as an adult and had raised a family. She decided to go on vacation from her home in Alberta, Canada, to the U.S. While she was staying in Los Angeles she decided to earn money for herself as a prostitute. At that point, she met another prostitute along Sunset Boulevard, Annette Dennis. The two women struck up a conversation and the victim agreed to drive Dennis to Las Vegas. Then when they got to Las Vegas, Dennis' boyfriend, who was known as "T," introduced the Canadian woman to his friend, "Charlie Mac," the name used by Defendant Charles Ford. Prosecutors say that through threats and intimidation and with information gathered by Dennis, Ford coerced the Canadian woman into working as a prostitute for him, making about $2,500 for him over two nights. The victim said Ford gathered personal information about her, got access to her driver's license and her laptop computer, isolated her, monitored her phone calls and e-mails and sexually assaulted her from Jan. 1 to Jan. 3. Although the woman initially refused to "break" to Ford as her pimp, he told her he had information on her adult children and they would suffer the consequences if she didn't comply. Al Beas, a Metro vice detective who is an expert in the subculture of prostitution, told the jury about intimidation and psychological techniques pimps use to get a prostitute under their control.He also said it was easier for a pimp to get a woman who had previously been a prostitute under his control than a woman who had never sold sexual favors. He said a former prostitute was "almost like an addict being put back on drugs." The prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Michelle Fleck, explained to the jury that those psychological techniques were the same ones used against the Canadian woman — shame, fear, humiliation and isolation.
Miami, Florida, USA, United States
Montavius Rakeem Postell, 20, and Boby Louis, 23, both of Orlando, are wanted in a case involving the abduction of a 15-year-old girl from the Universal Studios area in Orlando. Ten others (named below) were arrested in connection with this case. The girl was abducted, then forced into prostitution in Miami. The girl had run away from a group home with a friend and, after meeting some men on a bus, was soon transported to Miami-Dade and forced to work as a prostitute. The unidentified 15-year-old and a female friend of the same age escaped from a group home in Highlands County. The two ended up in Orlando and eventually at Universal Studio's CityWalk. On a bus ride back from the theme park's mall area, the girls met a couple of men and agreed to go home with them for a good time. Police say the girls drank alcohol, smoked marijuana, and engaged in sex with the men. The good time turned terrifying, though. The girls were taken to an abandoned warehouse where six men raped one of the girls, while the other was raped by two men and then forced into prostitution in Miami. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the others arrested in connection with this case were: • Guytembert Garcon, 23, of Orlando, who is on probation for a 2006 conviction for lewd or lascivious battery on a person between 12 and 15 years old • Olgens Alcide, 22, of Orlando, who is on probation for a 2009 conviction for armed robbery • John Peter Henry, 27, of Miami, who was released from prison in 2009 after serving a 13-month sentence for selling cocaine. • Lachristophe (also spelled "Lachristoph") Smith, 29, of Orlando, who was released from prison in 2006 after serving about three years for burglary, grand theft, and selling marijuana. • Luc Louidor, 25, of Orlando. • Brothers Leo David, 30, and Rodney David, 26, both of Orlando • Shayne Parsons, 25, of Orlando. • Martha Wilson, 23, of Orlando, was arrested on a charge of interference with custody; investigators say she allowed some of the sexual activity to occur at her home. • Craig Golden, 26, of Orlando. All arrested persons/suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Chicago, Illinois, Elk Grove Village, Cook County, United States
The trafficker was originally charged on August 8, 2010 following arrest with one count of involuntary servitude, a Class X felony; one felony count of trafficking of persons for labor or services; one count of unlawful restraint; one count of pandering; one count of possession of a controlled substance – heroin; and one count of possession of a controlled substance – cocaine. He was convicted May 3, 2011 following a three day jury trial on felony charges of Involuntary Servitude, Trafficking in Persons for Forced Labor or Services and Pandering and faced up to 30 years in prison. His final sentencing by Cook County Judge William lacy was an 18 year prison term. This is the second time this year the Sheriff’s Vice Unit has charged someone for human trafficking, but he was the first person convicted in Cook County under the updated laws against human trafficking. Sheriff Dart thanked the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit for their assistance in the case. His conviction was the result of efforts by State's Attorney Alvarez's new Human Trafficking Initiative Unit, which worked in cooperation in this case with Cook County Sheriff's Police. "Today's sentence represents a significant achievement in our new efforts to investigate and prosecute the crime of human trafficking, which is occurring in our own backyard," said State's Attorney Anita Alvarez in a release today. “Human trafficking is a problem that is becoming more prevalent in our communities and it is a crime that no woman or child should be subjected to,” said Alvarez. “We will continue to aggressively prosecute offenders who are forcing victims to sell themselves and help victims seek the help they need.”
Rochester, MN, United States
The Undercover Officer (UC herein) called the phone number provided in the ad at 4:30 PM. The UC spoke with a female. The female on the phone stated that she was just checking in at her hotel and asked the UC to call back in 30 minutes. Officers then contacted the hotel and learned that Sanders and Nicholas had just checked in again. Officers learned that they had rented rooms 216 and 253/4 (a suite). The UC called the phone number in the ad at 5:30 PM and again spoke to the female. The female on the phone stated it was $150.00 for a 1/2 session and $200.00 for an hour. The UC and the female discussed the particular sexual acts included in this price and the female indicated it was "full service." The female indicated her location and told the UC to call back when he was close to get the room number. At about 5:59 PM, the UC called the phone number again and the female stated she was in room 216. As he exited his vehicle, the UC observed a white female, exit room 216 and walk around the corner towards room 253/4. The female stared intently at the UC as he approached the hotel. The UC went to room 216, knocked on the door and victim answered. The UC and victim agreed to exchange money for sexual contact and the UC signaled the arrest team to enter the room. Officers went to room 253/4 and located defendant and other as well as a small child. The room smelled of marijuana. A plastic bag containing a small amount of what appeared to be marijuana was located on defendant.
Haines City, Florida, United States
The 27 year old trafficker was arrested in July 2011 on bribery of a law enforcement officer, procuring for prostitution a minor under 18 (2 counts), sex trafficking (2 counts), lewd and lascivious battery (3 counts) and unlawful sexual activity with a minor (2 counts). The 25 year old police officer was charged in July 2011 with sexual battery by a law enforcement officer, lewd battery and official misconduct. He resigned from his position as a law enforcement officer the same day as he was arrested.
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Cops cracked the case after one victim's sister called a sex trafficking hotline established in June 2010 by Kings County prosecutors and reported that her sister was being held against her will by a pimp. The sister said that during the time he was forcing the victim to be a prostitute, Mr. Rogers had prevented her from going to school and that the family had not been able contact her. According to the indictment, Mr. Rogers began forcing the 17-year-old victim into prostitution in 2008 and told her that if she did not make at least $1,000 a night, he would beat her. On at least one occasion, he tortured and killed a mouse to show what he would do if she ran away. Mr. Rogers met the 15-year-old victim a year later and used similar intimidation tactics, according to the indictment, which also accused him of locking the victims in an apartment that Mr. Songster guarded. Rogers is accused of branding his nickname - Scooby - across one girl's back, videotaping them having sex and peddling the movies online for cash. On his Facebook page, he listed his activities as "pimpin hoes" and "getting this money."
stratford, England, United States
Harrison, 32, who worked for Newham council under the name Charles Pepple, was today convicted by Woolwich crown court of conspiracy to traffick people for sexual exploitation, conspiracy to breach immigration law and false imprisonment. He received 20 years incarceration. The case is the first where children were illegally brought to the UK to be shipped off to work in the sex industries of Spain and Greece. After "grooming", the girls were sent to Britain on false documents and into the hands of Harrison. Harrison imprisoned both girls - aged 14 and 16 - at his home in Stratford, in 2009, before attempting to traffic them to Spain and Greece as prostitutes. The two had been controlled by Juju magic rituals. One of the girls was gagged and bound in Harrison's bathroom. The case is thought to be the first of its kind in Europe to involve a prosecution linked to such a practice. Both girls came from small villages in Edo, Nigeria, and were sold into prostitution with the help of the local Juju priest. Juju is a significant part of West African culture. Police said Harrison was a key player in a sophisticated network of West African people traffickers operating in the UK. After Harrison was convicted, the prosecution told the court: "This has been something of a unique case and ground-breaking. It's the first time there has been a prosecution for trafficking out of the UK.
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA, United States
Cardiologist Javier Julio Arce, M.D. 58, and his ex-wife, Cristina Mier Arce, 55, were charged with harboring a Bolivian undocumented worker — their maid — for 15 years as a virtual prisoner and using her for their financial gain. On June 23, 2011 a grand jury alleged that they kept the woman in their service as a domestic by telling her she would be arrested and deported if she left their home. They allegedly told her falsely that they were depositing money in a bank account in her name when they knew no such account existed. And after promising the woman — identified only as “I. L.” — a monthly salary, they paid her paid her no more than $20,000 over 12 years as she cared for their children, made their meals and cleaned their home and Dr. Arce’s medical office. The indictment also charges that Cristina Arce refused to return the woman’s passport, despite “repeated requests”, falsely telling her it was lost. The indictment said the Arces recruited “I. L.” to travel to the United States and conspired to harbor and exploit her from 1994 to 2006 at the home they shared at 718 Freeman Lane in Elizabethtown. It says that after the couple divorced, Dr. Arce harbored the woman for financial gain from 2006 to 2009 at his residence at 2605 Stonemill Drive in Elizabethtown.
Lamar Ave, Memphis, TN, United States
24yr. old step father pimping out his 14yr. old step daughter on major prostitution street for $45-$50. She had also reported that he had been molesting her and took her virginity in March.
Hartford, Connecticut, USA, United States
Jarell Sanderson, 31,of New Britain, CT forced two 14 year old girls to work as prostitutes. He pleaded guilty in January 2011 to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children and two counts of sex trafficking of children. Sanderson's codefendant, Hassanah Delia, 24, of East Hartford pleaded guilty in December 2010 to two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. The two girls, both 14, had run away from a state Dept. of Children and Families (DCF) shelter in 2009, according to information provided in a release by the U.S. Attorney's office. After running away from the shelter, the teens went to Sanderson and Delia for help, according to court documents. Sanderson and Delia used Internet ads to sell the girls for sex at hotels and motels in Hartford and East Hartford. Prosecutors said the teens resisted, but Sanderson threatened to kill them. According to prosecutors, Delia convinced the two girls to join the escort business she participated in by telling them that they would make money. Delia would receive phone calls for sex and send the girls, while Sanderson posted the internet ads on the website Cityvibe, using fake names for the teens, but real pictures of them. In court documents, the girls said they called Delia "Ma" and Sanderson "Pa". The pair would provide alcohol and marijuana for the girls before taking them to the hotels to perform sex acts, prosecutors said.
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
The victim walked over to a Casino Hotel and saw a man dressed in what she thought was a police uniform and told him what had been happening to her. She said the man was not an officer, but was with the Taxicab Authority. However he took her inside and Metro Police were contacted.
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Deputy U.S. Attorney Brad Shepard reported that the ring was controlled by Mexican brothers Noberto, Gregorio, and Jose Louis Hernandez-Castilla. The women were rotated weekly among the brothels generally set up in apartments in Indianapolis. It also is believed to have operated brothels in Fort Wayne and Elkhart, FBI Special Agent Michael Langeman said in a probable- cause affidavit. The brothers were known to have guns and use violence to intimidate others in the ring, Langeman said. An informant told investigators that he was fearful of Jose Louis Hernandez, who was known “to have connections everywhere,” the affidavit said. Shepard says the traffickers used business cards advertising car repairs and western wear to attract clients. Typically, the cost for services ranged from $40 to $50.
Upper Marlboro, MD, USA, United States
According to a recent federal indictment, Alfred Edwards, 73, and Gloria Edwards, 60, both of Upper Marlboro, Md.,forced a Filipina woman to work for them, threatening and assaulting her. The couple enticed the victim to come to the United States to work as their domestic servant, according to the five-count indictment. The woman was an impoverished, uneducated, mother of eight, officials stated. The defendants promised her a salary that would support her children in the Philippines. According to the indictment, the defendants gained a false visa for the woman, and confiscated her documents after she arrived. They forced her to work for 13 hours a day for ten years, using a scheme of threats, assaults, withholding of documents, withholding of pay, and a peonage contract to coerce the victim’s continued service.
Minneapolis, MIN, United States
Mohamed Ahmed Amalle, from Twin Cities, MN was arrested on or about May 9, 2011 in connection with an alleged sex ring that prostituted underage girls. Mohamed Ahmed Amalle is the 30th defendant in a massive child-prostitution case. Authorities allege the Somali Mafia and Somali Outlaws gangs operated the ring out of the Twin Cities, MN, Nashville, TN, and Columbus, Ohio. A grand jury indictment alleges that in November 2006, when Mohamed Amalle was 18, he became part of an original group of men that began selling a girl younger than 13 for sex. The vicitm was identified in court documents as Jane Doe Two. The group allegedly called up customers and then dropped her off at apartment complexes in Minneapolis and St. Paul. About two-thirds of the 29 people charged so far are from Minnesota. The alleged recruitment of young girls by Minneapolis-based Somali gangs to work as prostitutes took place in Minnesota and many of the alleged sex acts were carried out at Minnesota homes and businesses, from a Blaine mall to a Brooklyn Center hotel. The victims, who authorities say were as young as 12, were allegedly transported to work in the sex trade in other states, including Tennessee and Ohio.
Phoenix, AZ, United States
Deputy Sheriff Alfredo Navarrette ICE Trained Navarette admitted to passing information about the sheriff's crime-prevention operations to the group, Arpaio said. The deputy also was accused of being part of a separate human trafficking ring that smuggled illegal immigrants from Arizona to California. Navarette, who was once assigned to sheriff's human smuggling unit and was cross-trained as a federal immigration agent, regularly smuggled loads of illegal immigrants, Arpaio said. Detention Officer Sylvia Najera ICE Trained Detention Officer Marcella Hernandez ICE Trained All three officers were ICE trained. They are accused of tipping off drug traffickers and human smugglers about ongoing investigations. Hernandez allegedly had an ongoing personal relationship with a major drug kingpin and was 8-months pregnant with his child. According to court documents, she arranged the transfer of multiple heroin loads and allowed her boyfriend's drug trafficking organization to use her two houses as stash houses. Najera also allegedly had ties to a big drug trafficking ring. Perhaps the most shocking revelation is that Navarrette used to work in the anti-human smuggling unit for a short time, and when officers raided his house, they found two illegal immigrants being housed inside. According to court documents, 37-year-old Navarrette was a member of the drug trafficking organization and drove load vehicles, laundered money, and transported illegal immigrants from Arizona to California, among many other duties.
Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
Elina Sihombing Age: 47 Recruiting, harboring and transporting individuals for the purpose of forced labor, and removing or confiscating the victims' immigration documents David Girle Age: 54 Both of them are owners of America's Best Value Inn on Picacho Avenue in Las Cruces, NM. The couple was charged with "obtaining the labor and services of two Indonesian women by force, threats of force and physical restraint" according to a criminal complaint by the U.S. Department of Justice. According to the criminal complaint, in 2004, Sihombing and Girle allegedly brought the first of their two alleged victims from Indonesia to Phoenix, Ariz., where they were then living, as a nanny for their toddler and with the understanding that the alleged victim would have the opportunity to obtain an education and prepare for a career. Instead, the victim allegedly was forced to work as a nanny and household help and assisted with remodeling of the couple's residence from 8 a.m. to midnight every day, but was never paid for her work and was never given an opportunity to attend college as she was promised. The complaint alleges that, in 2005, Sihombing and Girle brought another woman to Phoenix from Indonesia who did the same type of work for the couple without any pay. The complaint further alleges that on July 27, 2007, Sihombing and Girle moved to Las Cruces where they purchased America's Best Value Inn and lived on the motel grounds. Sihombing and Girle allegedly told the two victims that, after the motel was remodeled and sold, they would be paid for their labor, according to the complaint. Sihombing and Girle allegedly required their victims to work from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day with no days off. The victims were not allowed to leave the motel and were only allowed access to their families in Indonesia if the contact was monitored by the couple, the complaint alleges. In 2009, the victims allegedly asked Girle about their immigration documents, and he told them he had them for safekeeping. Girle also advised them that their visas had expired. Sihombing allegedly withheld food from the victims as punishment and also threatened to call immigration authorities if the two did not do as Sihombing demanded. The complaint alleges that this type of treatment continued until Jan. 4, 2010, when the two victims left the motel.
Kansas City, MO, USA, United States
According to an affidavit that was filed in support of the original criminal complaint, an informant contacted law enforcement officers on March 28, 2011, to report a possible extortion attempt against him. The informant told police officers that he was contacted on Facebook by a female who claimed to be 17 years old, and began to chat online with her and exchanged telephone numbers. The informant and the minor female met at her house and had sexual intercourse, the affidavit says, and they agreed to meet again the next day. When the informant returned the next day and they began to have sexual intercourse, McKinney allegedly entered the room and confronted the informant. McKinney allegedly told the informant that the female was 16 years old, and that their sexual intercourse the previous day had been recorded. According to the affidavit, McKinney demanded that the informant pay him $400 so that he would not tell the authorities. They walked to an ATM together, the affidavit says, and the informant withdrew $100 and gave it to McKinney. They allegedly arranged to meet at a later date for the rest of the money. On April 7, 2011, the affidavit says, the informant agreed to meet with McKinney in order to exchange the money for the original video copy of the sexual encounter. The affidavit alleges that McKinney sent a text message to the informant, instructing him to put $500 in a sealed envelope and give the envelope to a security guard at Devry University. After the exchange occurred, the affidavit says, police officers saw McKinney approach the security desk and get the envelope containing the money from the security guard. McKinney was arrested. When investigators searched the minor’s cell phone, they found several images of child pornography depicting the minor, including sexually explicit photos of McKinney and the minor as well as sexually explicit photos of the informant and the minor.
Homewood, AL, United States
Soloman Manasseh Mustafa Age:37 Home Town: Stone Mountain Charged on May 18, 2011. charges of sex trafficking, kidnapping, transporting women across state lines for prostitution, and document servitude. Mustafa faces additional charges associated with receiving child pornography and the coercion or enticement of a minor for sex. Kalandra Annette Wallace Age: 24 Hometown: Jonesboro charges of sex trafficking, kidnapping, transporting women across state lines for prostitution, and document servitude The indictment accuses Mustafa and Wallace of luring young women via dating advertisements on Craigslist, Backpage and other Internet websites, then kidnapping and often physically assaulting or raping them, and locking them in hotel rooms or apartments where they forced them to engage in prostitution. At least two women were bound with duct tape, secured in a closet and then taken to Homewood, Ala. where they were forced to have sex with male customers, according to the indictment. Others were forced to inhale what they believed to be cocaine. Two other victims were handcuffed to a bed to prevent them from fleeing, the indictment stated. Five victims in all. Mustafa is also accused of attempting to entice a 14-year-old girl via text messaging into sending photos of herself to him and then becoming his sex slave, according to the indictment The case spread across metro Atlanta jurisdictions and involved the Atlanta, Gwinnett, Marietta, Sandy Springs, Holly Springs, DeKalb and Clayton police departments as well as the Homewood, Ala., police.
norcross, georgia, United States
Amador Cortes-Meza Age-36 Currently at State Penn in Atlanta Charges: sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, transporting minors for the purpose of prostitution, smuggling aliens into the United States for purposes of prostitution, and conspiracy to do the same.$292,000 in restitution charges! Juan Cortes-Meza Age 31 Hometown: Mexico Charges: 16 years, eight months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $57,600. Raul Cortes-Meza Age 22 Hometown: Mexico Charges: 10 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $7,000. Edison Wagner Rosa Tort Age: 71 Hometown: Cartersville, GA Charges: five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $57,000. OTTO JAIME LARIOS PEREZ Age 27 Hometown: Guatemala Charges: two years, six months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $3,600. Federal authorities believe the defendant led a sex trafficking ring that brought at least 10 women into the country and forced them to engage in sexual acts with men. According to the prosecution, the defendant and other men, mostly relatives, tricked the young women, including four juveniles, into leaving their families in Mexico by pretending to be romantically interested in them. brought 10 victims to Georgia, where they were beaten and forced to have sex with about 40 men a night, according to U.S. Attorney Sally Q. Yates. The victims testified that they lived in Norcross homes. One victim testified that when she refused to engage in prostitution, Cortes-Meza threw an iron at her head, then denied her medical care. Other victims said Cortes-Meza hit them with his fists, belts and sticks and dragged them around by their hair. "This defendant tricked young girls and juveniles into leaving their families in Mexico, beat them, and forced them into more than 20 acts of prostitution a night here in Atlanta," Yates said in a statement. "These survivors courageously testified against the defendant and played a significant role in bringing him to justice. This defendant earned every day of his 40 year sentence.” During the trial, victims testified that they sometimes were ordered to service 40 customers a night at a rate of $25 a customer, Yates said. That money was split between Cortes-Meza and his co-conspirators and the drivers, she said.
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Andrew Fakhoury, 23, of Yonkers, N.Y. Prosecutors said that Fakhoury began forcing young women into prostitution in New York before moving his operation to Rhode Island in October of 2008 to take advantage of a loophole in state law that allowed indoor prostitution, until it was banned in 2009. Fakhoury eventually moved into an apartment in Providence’s Elmhurst section with one of those women and advertised her on Craigslist. So far, four victims have come to light; the youngest was 16 years old, and the oldest was 19. Two of the victims were from Yonkers, one was from upstate, and the fourth was from out of state. All were described as middle class kids with good grades – attractive yet emotionally vulnerable. One victim was promised a job as a waitress in Rhode Island on the beach. Using drugs and abusing the women, Fakhoury and his alleged cohort, Joseph Defeis, celebrated the thug life in several music videos posted on YouTube last year. Fakhoury called himself “Kash” and Defeis was “Jemz,” rapping in videos of them cruising around Providence in a black SUV, flashing fistfuls of $100 bills, and bragging that they were gangsters. With sunglasses perched on his nose and a large crucifix swinging from his neck, Fakhoury bragged: “Tell my lawyer, just eat the case.” A woman gyrated around a stripper pole in another video, as Fakhoury and Defeis rapped: “I keep a couple hos from around my way.” Providence police said the men beat the girls, kept close tabs on their cell phone calls, and treated them like merchandise.
Seattle, Washington, USA, United States
Convicted pimp Anthony "Mack" Terry was sentenced to 20 years in prison April 29, 2011. Terry, whose defense was that he was a drug dealer, not a pimp, was convicted in March 2011 of two counts of promoting the commercial sex abuse of a minor, second-degree promoting prostitution, and witness tampering. King County Superior Court Judge Beth Andrus had just handed down the 20-year prison sentence when the courtroom phone rang. On the line was the teenage victim Terry had pimped out and later asked to lie for him in a series of recorded phone calls he made from inside the King County Jail. "I just want to say I was never a victim, and Anthony Terry was never my pimp," said the woman, whose call was put on the Court's speaker phone. The woman was 18 at the time of the sentencing but was 17 when Terry was twice arrested for pimping her out. Judge Andrus had already heard the woman's denials during Terry's bench trial, but apparently found them unpersuasive. In March 2011, Judge Andrus found Terry guilty of two counts of promoting the commercial sex abuse of a minor, second-degree promoting prostitution, and witness tampering. During closing arguments in March 2011, Prosecutor O'Donnell played a series of recorded phone calls between Terry and the 17-year-old, in which Terry can be heard directing her to post photos of herself online to make money to bail him out and pay for an attorney. O'Donnell also held up a screen shot of Terry's MySpace page, which bore the words "pimp in action."
Polk County, Florida, USA, United States
After negotiating with detectives online, or by phone, the suspects traveled to an undisclosed location in Polk County where they offered detectives sex acts ranging from oral sex to intercourse in exchange for cash. The majority of the ads were found on backpage.com.but the ads used by the suspects also appeared on www.Bootytag.com, www.Findhotescorts.com, www.Sipsap.com, and others. Detectives said they were shocked when among those arrested was a 15-year-old. The 15 year old arrived at the undercover location after being contacted by undercover detectives via Findhotescorts.com. Her two-month old baby and alleged pimp remained in the vehicle. Investigation revealed she was 15 years old and a runaway from Chicago, IL. The 15 year old’s alleged pimp, Jonathan Padilla, was identified as a criminal gang member upon his arrest by Gang Unit Detectives and is alleged by a witness to be associated with the Maniac Campbell Boys criminal gang in Chicago.
Kansas City, 607 Westport Road in Kansas City, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 32, from Uzbekistan pleaded guilty in October to four charges. He contended his marriage to an Independence woman had been real, and not a sham engineered to win him a permanent U.S. residency card. The woman testified that she married him in exchange for $5,000 and never consummated the relationship. She later pleaded guilty to a federal marriage fraud charge. Askarkhodjaev brought more than 1,000 foreign laborers to the Kansas City area by fraudulently manipulating a complex work visa program. He and his co-conspirators negotiated contracts with some of Kansas City’s finest hotels and resorts to put those laborers to work. Watching his pennies, he larded fees for uniforms, housing and transportation onto his workers’ paychecks and had some of them working for less than $1 per hour. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Ortrie Smith ordered that he be deported when his sentence is completed. Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/05/09/2863391/12-year-sentence-handed-down-in.html#ixzz1M3qqKaXJ Askarkhodjaev managed a scheme that lured foreign workers to Kansas City with promises of good jobs in hotels and other service industries. Prosecutors say more than 1,000 workers were instead treated as slaves, warned that their temporary visas could be pulled and suffered threats of harm to their families. The workers, mainly from the Philippines, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, paid thousands of dollars to Giant Labor to come to the U.S. with temporary visas. But once they arrived, they lived in small, sparsely furnished apartments, had no access to their mail and were charged so many fees that they sometimes owed the company money. The enterprise illegally made more than $6 million, prosecutors said. Eleven other people were charged in the case, which prosecutors say was one of the largest labor racketeering schemes ever uncovered in the U.S. According to the indictment, Askarkhodjaev owned and operated a labor leasing company, Giant Labor Solutions, at 607 Westport Road in Kansas City. Through Giant Labor and a dozen other businesses that he associated with or controlled as part of the criminal enterprise, Askarkhodjaev secured fraudulent labor leasing contracts from clients in the hotel/resort, casino, and construction industries in Missouri, Kansas, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, South Carolina and Wyoming. The criminal enterprise allegedly used illegal aliens as part of its workforce to fulfill labor contracts for housekeeping, cleaning services and other duties. Giant Labor’s workforce was predominately comprised of foreign nationals, the indictment says, who either entered the United States illegally, overstayed their visas, or did not have legal authorization to reside or work in their specific locations within the United States during their term of employment. http://kansascity.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/kc052709.htm
Mecklenberg, N.C, United States
Craig Allen Rodgers Age: 34 Originally from California Rodgers, who has previous prostitution-related convictions, is accused of procuring customers via the Internet and traveling with his prostitutes to meet clients in hotel rooms in Charlotte, Covington, Ohio, Albuquerque, N.M. and Nashville, Tenn., the complaint said. A federal criminal complaint alleges that Craig Allen Rodgers transported the woman against her will and used force to make her engage in sexual activity with paying customers. According to court records, Rodgers is originally from California and has several previous prostitution-related convictions. In 2006, he pled guilty in Oklahoma to aiding and abetting in prostitution and using a computer to violate Oklahoma law.
Elmhurst Providence, RI, United States
Within a few days, Sgt. Patrick McNulty, Detectives Peter Conley and Richard Ruggiero found her inside a second-floor apartment at 123 Pinehurst Ave., near Providence College. They arranged for her to meet an undercover detective on the pretense of a “date" from backpage.com. When she offered to perform sex acts for $150 or $250, the police took her into custody. Fakhoury, who was in the next bedroom, and Defeis were also arrested, because the police found about a pound of marijuana and packaging material inside the apartment, Correia said. Police say two New York men enslaved teenagers as young as 16 in Rhode Island and forced them into prostitution. Fakhoury was given 10 years of prison time and 10 years probation for
Kansas City, MO (North) USA, United States
Please also see related posts: http://www.slaverymap.org/index.html?show=257 and http://www.slaverymap.org/index.html?show=479 At approximately 9:33 a.m. on March 5, 2009, Steven C. Albers, 42, of Kansas City-North, responded via e-mail to an ad that advertised “little girls available.” The ad’s content clearly advertised the children for sex. Albers requested a lunch hour meeting so that he would have time to drive from his office near the Country Club Plaza. The undercover officer responded that he had an 11-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl available for sex. In a follow-up e-mail, Albers said he wanted to spend an hour with an 11-year-old girl at a cost of $100. In an e-mail later that morning, Albers said he wanted to spend half an hour with the 11-year-old girl but would pay an extra $20 to go “bareback,” referring to sexual intercourse without a condom, for a total price of $80. When Albers arrived at the undercover house for the meeting at approximately noon, he provided the cash to the undercover officer and the arrest team came out from the bedroom. Albers took off running out the front door. The arrest team chased him out the front door and caught him in the neighbor’s front yard, placing him under arrest at that time. Albers also admitted that he had responded earlier to the undercover advertisements that were part of Operation Guardian Angel on three separate occasions in January and February, in which he also tried to arrange a meeting to pay for sexual activity with the child being sold as a prostitute by her pimp.
Travelodge hotel on North Coast Highway in Oceanside CA, USA, United States
An April 18, 2011 federal indictment says that Hitesh Vinod Patel, age 27, and his father, Vinod N. Patel, age 60, acting on behalf of Gayatri Investments LLC, helped and allowed members and associates of a criminal enterprise to rent rooms for prostitution at the Travelodge hotel on North Coast Highway in Oceanside. According to the indictment, the Patels arranged to have the participants housed in specific areas and rooms within the hotel so that they were segregated from legitimate customers. According to the indictment, the Patels charged --- and the defendants paid higher room rates --- in exchange for permitting the prostitution activities to be conducted at the Travelodge.The Patels are also accused of warning members and associates of the enterprise about law enforcement activity or inquiries. The operation was run by the Oceanside Crips gang, which included three different gang "sets," authorities said. The sets -- the Insane Crip Gang; Deep Valley Crips; and Crook, Mob, Gangsters -- who have been rivals in the past, worked together to run the prostitution operation, according to U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy. Six others, all women, were charged as associates of the criminal enterprise. The indictment targets not only pimps, but also women known as "bottoms," who federal prosecutors said are the most senior and trusted prostitutes, who help recruit and rein in the junior girls. U.S. Atttorney Laura E. Duffy said prostitutes caught up in the operation were often "traded like property" and beaten by their pimps if they did not do as they were told. Michael Carney, Acting Special Agent in Charge for ICE Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, said the victims and the gang members were primarily U.S. citizens. An indictment is not evidence the defendants are guilty of the crimes charged. The defendants are presumed by the law to be innocent of the charges until the Government proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
St. Albans, Queens, New York, USA, United States
William Johnson, age 50, also known as “Dollar Bill”, pleaded guilty April 14, 2011 to sex trafficking of a minor between August 2010 and September 2010. Defendant admitted to harboring a 15-year-old girl in his home in St. Albans, Queens, between August and September 2010, and having the victim work for him as a prostitute. As alleged in the government’s pleadings, the defendant generated customers for his prostitution business by posting advertisements listed under “erotic services” or “escort services” on Internet websites. The advertisements included photographs of scantily clad women or girls in suggestive poses. The defendant also took live videos of the women and girls engaging in pole-dancing in his St. Albans residence, which could then be accessed online for a fee paid by customers.
Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Don L. Elbert III forced three underage sisters into prostitution, he was sentenced to eight years in prison, 15 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $524,571 in restitution.
Detroit Michigan, United States
Anderson Byron Walker, Jeremiah Collins, Andy Wyzell, McArthur Harris abducted a 15-year-old female from Howell, Michigan, and transported her to Atlanta, Georgia. Walker sexually assaulted the victim and forced her into prostitution. Walker was charged with one count of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Walker was sentenced over 6 years in prison. Walker is also serving two 7-year terms and six 20-year terms in Oklahoma State prison on eight counts to include: Assault; Battery; Kidnapping; and Rape.
Whiting, Indiana, United States
They recovered more than $2,700 in cash, cameras, a laptop and computer as well as small amounts of crack cocaine and heroin. At the time of his arrest, Bonaparte was out on bond from a June 24th charge of soliciting for a prostitute. On that occasion, Bonaparte tried to recruit an undercover officer on Mannheim Rd. to work for him as a prostitute. Bonaparte has been arrested fifty-five times previously, and has nine convictions for offenses including pimping, manufacture and delivery of cocaine, possession of a stolen vehicle, and theft. The Cook County Sheriff’ Police Vice Unit arrested Bonaparte after responding to a suspicious ad posted on the Escorts section of the website Backpage.com. The ad contained solicitations such as “Sexy Crystal is here to please and pamper you”, “Call me before 1 a.m. and get your discount”, and “Girlfriend experience”. Bonaparte forced three women to prostitute themselves for his profit. He allegedly took sexually provocative photos of the women and posted the pictures in internet ads for escort services.
Detroit Michigan, United States
Keith Goodwin was arrested for producing child pornography, and during the search of his residence three victims of child prostitution were rescued. Goodwin was sentenced to over 9 years in prison.
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Michael Simmons, Stephanie Gease, and Deshonqua Strait were all convicted in relation to a case of child prostitution. Simmons was found guilty of transporting a child from PA to CA and sentenced to 17.5 years. Gease, was sentenced to 8 months for purchasing a bus ticket and escorting the child to the bus station. Strait was sentenced to 12 months for training and supervising the child.
Chillicothe, Missouri, USA, United States
On July 16, 2009, Randal G. Jennings, 43, of Chillicothe, MO pleaded guilty to the commercial sex trafficking of children. Jennings admitted that he attempted to recruit five child victims to work for him as prostitutes. After recruiting the girls to motel rooms, he had the children pose for sexually explicit photos, which he used to advertise the children for sexual services on Internet Web sites. Jennings pimped out the girls for years, including one victim who was prostituted from the ages of 14 to 17. Jennings considered himself a "nice pimp," according to the Star. Addressing the judge, Jennings said he thought the girls were college-age students. He also said he placed their ads on Craigslist and another Internet site so they could meet clients in nice hotels, not on the rough streets. He also said prosecutors had overcharged his case. "I did research on human sex trafficking, and this doesn't fit," Jennings said. "What I did barely qualifies for it." Jennings was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010, to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.
Washington D.C., United States
Carlos Curtis and associates and pimps Michael Goodwin, and Janet Rodriguez. Curtis was indicted on charges of transporting minors from New York and Maryland to engage in prostitution, as well as sex trafficking of children, transportation of minors, transportation for illegal sexual activity, and materials involving the sexual exploitation of children. Michael Goodwin pleaded guilty for two counts of Pandering. Janet Rodriguez pleaded guilty for one count of pandering. Curtis was sentenced to life imprisonment. Goodwin was sentenced to 36 months. Rodriguez was sentenced to 36 months.
Washington D.C., United States
Gary Gates and Tamisha Hayward operated an online escort/prostitution business. Clients contacted a telephone number posted on the web to set up dates. Hayward reserved hotel rooms for the girls using Priceline.com. Gates and Hayward were indicted on 13 counts of sex trafficking of children; 11 counts coercion and enticement; 5 counts of transportation of minors; and two counts of transportation for illegal sexual activity. Hayward was also charged with one count of conspiracy. Gates was sentenced to over 14 years and Hayward to over 8 years.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Jeffrey L. Byrd was investigated for recruiting an 18-year-old prostitute and transporting her to New York, and attempted recruitment a 14-year-old into prostitution. Local law enforcement interceded in the matter and arrested Byrd. Byrd was charged with transportation to engage in prostitution; attempted interstate transportation to engage in prostitution; and attempted interstate transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Byrd entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to over 4 years imprisonment; three years supervised release, and was ordered to pay $600.00 in fines.
Atlanta Georgia, United States
case was investigated by the FBI’s Innocence Lost initiative with the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation-Obscenity Section and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Lebanon, Missouri, USA, United States
Case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in conjunction with the Human Trafficking Rescue Project. The March. 30, 2011 superseding indictment contains an additional charge against Edward Bagley for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Cook is also charged with two additional counts of using an interstate facility in the commission of murder for hire, and with one count each of attempted tampering with a victim and attempted witness retaliation, all of which are related to an alleged attempt to kill FV between Sept. 28, 2010, and Dec. 9, 2010. Cook is also charged with tampering with another witness, who is identified as “JP” in the indictment. The superseding indictment also contains additional charges against Stokes for receiving child pornography over the Internet and for possessing child pornography. The Bagleys used the Internet and BDSM pornography to train and groom FV (while she was still a minor) to be a sex slave. Marilyn Bagley allegedly modeled “slave clothes” as part of recruiting FV to become Edward Bagley’s slave. Edward Bagley allegedly gave FV marijuana and ecstasy, showed her images of pornography and sadomasochism activities, and began sexually abusing her while she was still a minor. Edward Bagley began sexually torturing FV in February 2004, according to the indictment, when she turned 18 years old and he had her sign a sex slave contract, which he convinced FV legally bound her to him as his slave for the rest of her life. The indictment cites numerous allegations of a variety of sexual acts, torture, and mutilation over a five-year period. Marilyn Bagley posed in photographs taken by Edward Bagley, the indictment says, where she sexually abused FV. Marilyn Bagley allegedly told FV to “do as she was told” and refused to offer assistance when FV expressed fear of Edward Bagley. Marilyn Bagley benefited financially and by receiving something of value from her role in the sex trafficking scheme. If FV attempted to stop the activity or cried for help, the indictment says, Edward Bagley escalated the torture. Edward Bagley allegedly threatened to kill FV and demonstrated to her that he could do so by keeping numerous guns in the home. Edward Bagley shot animals that FV cared for in front of her, the indictment says, and bragged about the bodies he had already buried in the woods behind the trailer home. Edward Bagley also threatened to bury FV alive, the indictment says, and showed her a video demonstrating how he intended to do it. Edward Bagley had FV tattooed to mark her as his property, the indictment says, including a bar code on her neck, a tribal tattoo on her back to mark her as a slave, and the Chinese symbol for slave on her ankle. Between February 2004 and February 2009, the indictment says, Edward Bagley tortured FV on live webcasts on the Internet. Cook allegedly watched live video over the Internet of FV being sexually abused and tortured, and downloaded pictures of FV to his computer. Cook allegedly sent images to Edward Bagley of females in his residence that he beat, bound and tied up to share ideas of how to abuse FV. Cook allegedly used those torture methods on FV when he visited the Bagley residence. Cook gave Bagley a hard drive with sadomasochism and torture videos downloaded from the Internet, including videos demonstrating to Bagley how he could bury FV alive. Stokes allegedly traveled to the Bagleys’ residence and engaged in both sexually torturing FV and watching Edward Bagley torture FV. Stokes gave Bagley steaks, cigarettes, coats, clothing, lighters and cash. Stokes paid $1,000 for Bagley to transport FV to California in December 2006 for a photo shoot in which FV performed sexual acts. Stokes paid Bagley $300 for a torture session, and also gave him money to build a home-made device to sexually torture FV. In addition to the criminal conspiracy, each of the defendants is also charged with one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and one count of using the Internet to facilitate the unlawful activity. Edward and Marilyn Bagley are also charged together with forced labor trafficking and document servitude. The federal indictment alleges that the Bagleys forced FV to work as a stripper and exotic dancer at adult entertainment clubs from June 2007 to February 2009. They allegedly earned approximately $112,200 from FV’s work. According to the indictment, Edward Bagley punished FV with torture and physical and sexual abuse for failing to be a top earner at the adult entertainment clubs where he had her dance and strip. Edward and Marilyn Bagley allegedly confiscated FV’s identification documents, including her state-issued identification card, birth certificate and Social Security card. Edward Bagley is also charged with one count each of using the Internet to entice a minor to engage in illicit sex, enticement to travel for illicit sexual activity, transportation for illicit sexual activity, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance to a person under the age of 21 and being a drug user in possession of firearms and ammunition. Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
Miami Florida, United States
Demond Levail Osley transported a 17 year old from Florida and forced her into prostitution. He was convicted of one count of sex trafficking of a minor, one count of transportation of an individual for prostitution, one count of coercion and enticement of an individual to engage in sexual activity; and one count of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. He was sentenced to 30 years and 5 months.
Chicago Illinois, United States
Robert Lewis Young aka “Blue Diamond”, DR grey Kimmel, and Jody Spears. Young transported juveniles from Hawaii to Chicago and Detroit. Young was sentenced to 25 years in prison; 5 years supervised release, and ordered to pay $67,000 in child support for his 12 children. On Oct. 30, 2007, one of Young’s pimp partners, Jody Spears, was sentenced to eight years. On May 29, 2008, Kimmel plead guilty to one count of money laundering and agreed to forfeit $405,000.
Sacramento California, United States
Will Moss forced minors into prostitution, transported them across state lines and controlled them through force and intimidation. Moss repeatedly assaulted and raped them. Moss was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison and 10 years of supervision, when and if he is released he must register as a sex offender.
Oklahoma City Oklahoma, United States
Stormy Nights was a large-scale child prostitution investigation focused on the interstate prostitution of children at truck stops and call services nationwide. These individuals were charged with transportation of an individual with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; aiding and abetting; transportation of person under age of 18 with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; promotion, management, establishment, or carrying on of any unlawful activity; sex trafficking of children; coercion of a person under age of 18 to engage in sexual act; felon in possession of a firearm; interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering; and money laundering. Sentences for these individuals ranged in length up to 17.5 years.
Washington D.C., United States
case was investigated by the FBI’s Innocence Lost initiative with the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation-Obscenity Section and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
San Francisco, California, United States
Theodore Love was arrested on state charges for promoting prostitution. The investigation found six females, two of which were juveniles ages 13 and 17. Love transported the women and children to Las Vegas, Nevada; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles, California, and forced them to work as prostitutes. Love advertised his escort company “The Love Zone” in the Spectator magazine and on the Internet at Eros Guide. Love was indicted federally, charged with sex trafficking of children; and transportation of minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Love pled guilty and was sentenced to over 7 years in prison.
Washington, D.C, United States
case was investigated by the FBI’s Innocence Lost initiative with the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation-Obscenity Section and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Agents in Washington, D.C., helped in the recovery of a juvenile victim.
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Matthew Tompkins and associate Demetrius Lemus. Tompkins forced over 30 women into prostitution the youngest of which was 14 years old. Thompkins assets totaled over three million dollars. On March 27, 2008, Thompkins was sentenced to 23.3 years in prison and lifetime supervised release. Demetrius Lemus was sentenced to eight years a reduced sentence because he testified against Thompkins.
Detroit Michigan, United States
case was investigated by the FBI’s Innocence Lost initiative with the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation-Obscenity Section and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Minneapolis Minnesota, United States
case was investigated by the FBI’s Innocence Lost initiative with the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation-Obscenity Section and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Los Angeles California, United States
Juan Rico Doss was indicted for one count of conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking of children, three counts of transportation of minors for prostitution, and two counts of criminal forfeiture. He was sentenced to life in prison. Ford testified against Doss and was sentenced to 15 months
Atlanta Georgia, United States
Mariece Chevalia Sims and Dwayne B. Thigpen abducted a 16-year-old from Arkansas and forced her into prostitution in Texarkana, Arkansas; Gulfport, Mississippi; and Atlanta, Georgia. Sims and Thigpen sexually assaulted and continually threatened the victim. Sims and Thigpen were charged with kidnapping; transportation of minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Thigpen pled guilty to one count of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Sims was found guilty at trial of kidnapping; forced labor; sex trafficking of children; and transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Thigpen was sentenced to 5 years in prison and five years supervised release. Sims was sentenced to life in prison; five years supervised release, and was ordered to pay $500.00 in fines.
Mission, Kansas, USA, United States
This is an update to an earlier posting. See: http://www.slaverymap.org/index.html?show=986 On October 21, 2010, Defendant Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 31, pled guilty to charges for his role as the leader of a criminal enterprise that engaged in forced labor, fraud in foreign labor contracting, visa fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, tax evasion and money laundering. The c onviction was prosecuted under the statute prohibiting fraud in foreign labor contracting enacted as part of the Trafficking Victim’s Reauthorization Act of 2008. Askarkhodjaev pled guilty to four counts of the 143-count indictment, with prosecutors dismissing the other counts in exchange for his cooperation and a 10- to 12-year prison term. On or about October 28, 2010, co-Defendant Kristen Dougherty, 51, of Ellisville, was found guilty of all three counts contained in a Jan. 7, 2010, superseding indictment. Dougherty was convicted of racketeering, participating in a RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act conspiracy, and wire fraud. Dougherty, as vice president of sales and marketing for Giant Labor Solutions, LLC, was involved in the recruitment and exploitation of foreign national workers. Dougherty also controlled three businesses that were used to facilitate the scheme: Anchor Building Services; People, Inc.; and Hotel and Resort Services. These businesses employed illegal workers and were used to obtain additional illegal workers. Under federal statutes, Dougherty is subject to a sentence of up to 60 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $750,000. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for February 24, 2011. Previously, nine other co-defendants pled guilty in connection with the case. three remaining defendants are fugitives.
Kansas City, Missouri, USA, United States
From 2002 to 2008 (exact dates unknown) Michael L. Buck “recruited, harbored, transported, provided and obtained females to engage in commercial sex acts through threats of serious harm, physical restraint and force.” On May 12, 2010, Buck pleaded guilty to trafficking women into involuntary servitude and coerced commercial sex. Buck admitted he obtained females to engage in commercial sex acts, and that he caused them to engage in commercial sex acts through threats of serious harm, physical restraint, and force. Buck utilized a phone service, Quest, to advertise the women for sexual acts in Kansas City, Mo., and in Independence, Mo., and obtained customers from both Missouri and Kansas. He sold the women in such locations as apartments, houses, motels and strip clubs. According to court documents, Buck would often beat, burn, choke, cut and tie up his female victims if they refused to engage in prostitution
Columbia, Missouri, USA, United States
Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that Gathings, pleaded guilty in federal court on October 12, 2011 to selling a child victim into prostitution. Gathings admitted that in 2009 he recruited a homeless minor to engage in prostitution for his financial benefit. Gathings provided housing for the minor victim, but took her earnings after requiring that she sell herself for sex. After discharging a sawed-off shotgun in his front yard, Gathings was incarcerated in state custody. During this time of incarceration, he continued to sell the minor victim through the assistance of an organized prostitution ring called Aleesha Angels. Gathings had the minor victim provide him with her prostitution earnings to assist him with bond and later to provide him with funding for his prisoner’s account. Under the terms of the October 12, 2011 plea agreement, Gathings is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. Brandy Key, also known as Brandy Wheeler, 39, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty on October 19, 2011 before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to the charge contained in a March 1, 2011, federal indictment. By pleading guilty, Key admitted that she operated a prostitution ring that assisted and profited from the coerced sex trafficking of a child. Key handled the minor victim while Gathings was in custody and sold her for sex on his behalf. This included, but was not limited to, scheduling her appointments with customers and advertising her for sex acts on the Internet. Under the terms of today’s binding plea agreement, Key is subject to a minimum sentence of three years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing for Key will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Alameda, California, United States
Turner's first victim escaped and fled to Oakland police. It is presumed this led to the discovery of the second victim.
West North Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, United States
Local (Oak Creek, WI) police discovered the victim, a 14 year old girl, during an investigation into escort services. In or about May 2010 Booker picked up his 14 year old victim on West North Avenue in Milwaukee, then took nude photos of her. The photos were posted on www.backpage.com, advertising the girl as a 19 year old escort. The girl was then taken to a hotel where she engaged in sex with men, who paid Booker and another woman, Holly Arnold, age 23. The victim told a detective she was afraid to leave the hotel because she did not know where she was, had no money, and no way of going elsewhere.
Century City, California, United States
Although the FBI had been investigating Global Horizons for a number of years, when an arrest warrant was served on Orian, it appeared to come as a surprise. Although he was on a business trip to Texas when federal agents descended on his Malibu home, his wife said they handcuffed her and by her account acted aggressively without any justification. Orian denies all the allegations against him, and expressed hope that he would be released on bond by Wednesday, despite a prosecution request that he be held until the end of legal proceedings. Orian was formally charged on Sep. 1 in what federal officials described as the biggest human-trafficking case ever brought by the U.S. government. On Sep. 2, Orian "deceived and evaded federal FBI agents for approximately 24 hours by providing sporadic misleading and conflicting information concerning his location, willingness to surrender in Dallas, and failing to report," government lawyers stated in documents filed with the federal court. They further charged that Orian "flew to Hawaii on another flight to avoid contact with federal agents at the airport." Today Orian is sitting in a Honolulu jail awaiting Judge Leslie Kobayashi's decision on a government request to deny Orian's release on one million dollars bail secured on his exclusive West Moonshadows Drive home in Malibu. Susan Cushman, assistant U.S. attorney for Hawaii, has filed documents stating that Orian is a flight risk, noting that he had used 26 different aliases and four different Social Security numbers in the past. Multiple Court Cases Cushman's request to keep Orian locked up until trial also described numerous violations of the law, according to a filing delivered to the Honolulu court on Sep. 9. Cushman provided the court with a copy of a 2003 report, "Migrant Workers in Israel - A Contemporary Form of Slavery," published by the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network and the International Federation for Human Rights. It states that Orian, an Israeli national, took 3,000 dollars from each of 19 Chinese workers for the "privilege" of working in Israel for two years. "By the end of February Mr. Orian owed each of the workers between 2-3 months wages," the report concluded. "Instead of paying the workers, he sent ten armed guards to surprise the workers in their sleep, beat them and drive them to the airport, where they were forcibly deported." In another document filed by Cushman, U.S. Department of Labour Judge William Dorsey concluded on Nov. 30, 2006 that Global Horizons Manpower, Inc. had "willfully and fraudulently represented it had contracts with Taft Farms" in Bakersfield, California to obtain temporary work visas for more than 200 workers between Aug. 1, 2003 and Apr. 30, 2004. Dorsey found that the company had neither a contract nor jobs for the 200 workers. Unable to find them paid employment, Global Horizons fired the workers "for poor performance, when in fact, they were terminated for lack of work," Dorsey wrote in his final decision. He ordered that Orian be barred for three years from bringing guest workers into the U.S. On Sep. 7, 2007, Philipda Modrakee, a U.S. Department of Labour investigator, filed a report on 156 Global Horizons workers employed at the Maui Pineapple Farm in Hawaii. Modrakee estimated that Global Horizons owed 459,256 dollars in fines for failure to pay wages at the minimum rate and on time, for illegally deducting money from the workers' paycheques for housing, and for failing to provide them with transportation to their work sites.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, United States
Trafficker convicted January 2010 of 11 felonies including sexual assault and human trafficking. First conviction under Wisconsin's human trafficking law.
Independence, MO, United States
Operation Guardian Angel was created and executed by the Human Trafficking Rescue Project, a joint task force from the Independence PD, the Kansas City MO PD, ICE, and FBI. On April 23, 2010, Doerr was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison. Specific sentencing info was not found. 7 men were arrested during the course of this 2-month sting operation. All of the perpetrators were charged with attempted commercial sex trafficking of a child and using the Internet and telephone to attempt to induce a child to engage in prostitution, and all seven defendants have been indicted and convicted in "the nation’s first-ever federal prosecution of the alleged customers of child prostitution under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act."
Independence, MO, United States
The arrest and conviction of Mikoloyck resulted from an undercover law enforcement sting operation called Operation Guardian Angel. "On Saturday, January 29 2009, Mikoloyck responded to an online advertisement that said, in part, 'While there mommas away these girls will play. My girlfriend is out of town her daughters are ready to play with you. Be the first for the little girls ...' (sic). Mikoloyck engaged in a series of e-mails with the undercover officer, who was posing as the pimp, in which he discussed the price for a 16-year-old girl. The next day, Mikoloyck engaged in another series of e-mails with the undercover officer, and further discussed the deal for the 16-year-old girl over the phone. The following day, Jan. 31, 2009, Mikoloyck engaged in another series of e-mail and telephone conversations with the undercover officer, and agreed to pay $100 to take the 16-year-old girl outside the residence for sex for half an hour. Mikoloyck drove from Overland Park to the agreed-upon meeting place, but when he wasn’t able to reach the undercover officer by phone, returned to Overland Park. After making contact with the undercover officer, he then drove back to the location. When Mikoloyck arrived at the house, he paid the undercover officer $100 and was arrested."
Flagstaff, Arizona, USA, United States
Huong Thi "Kelly" McReynolds, 58; Joseph Minh McReynolds, 36; Vincent Minh McReynolds, 32; and James Hartful McReynolds, 60, of Flagstaff, AZ were charged in a federal indictment July 21, 2011 with exploiting Vietnamese nationals for nearly a decade in an elaborate forced labor scheme at their I Do, I Do Wedding Shop in Flagstaff. According to the indictment, the McReynolds family brought the victims into the United States by offering them a better life, including assurances of marriage to U.S. citizens and educational opportunities. Shortly after the victims arrived, they discovered those were false promises. Instead, the victims were forced to work long hours in the McReynolds' home and business with little or no pay. "Huong Thi McReynolds and her family lured these victims to the United States on the promise of the American dream; what the victims got instead was indentured servitude," said U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. "The defendants created a climate of fear inside their home and business by carrying firearms, berating the victims and threatening to physically harm them and shame their families in Vietnam. They weren't just exploited for their labor; they were robbed of their basic human dignity." "Through fraud and coercion, the McReynolds family engaged in modern-day slavery to support their business and live an easy life on the backs of these exploited victims," said Matt Allen, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Arizona. "Working with our partners at the FBI and Department of Labor, HSI was able to document nearly a decade of abuse perpetrated by these defendants, who will now face justice for their actions." The indictment alleges that, beginning in September 2001, Huong McReynolds brought Vietnamese nationals to Flagstaff, where she and her family housed them and forced them to work seven days a week at the bridal shop. Until at least December 2008, Huong McReynolds and her two sons, Joseph and Vincent, compelled the victims to work long hours with little or no pay. Between September 2001 and December 2008, the Vietnamese workers cycled through the bridal shop, with their "employment" ending when they escaped or were "evicted." Members of the McReynolds family, including Huong, Joseph and James, each married Vietnamese victims. The victims believed they would be entering legitimate marriages with the McReynolds family members. Huong McReynolds shepherded the victims through the visa process and coached them for their interviews at the consulate. Once the victims were in the United States, Huong McReynolds confiscated their passports and identification, and informed them they would not only be working at her home, but also long hours in their bridal shop. Despite their marriages to the victims, Huong McReynolds and James McReynolds, who divorced in 1996, continued to live together as husband and wife. Both before and after Joseph McReynolds' marriage to one of the Vietnamese victims, he was living with a U.S. citizen with whom he fathered children, both before and during his fraudulent marriage.
Tacoma, WA, United States
Shadina Rice, a 38 year old woman from Tacoma, WA, took in two, 13 year old girls who had runaway from home and pimped them out. She would post pictures of the girls online, and then men would meet her at a doughnut shop and then taken them to an apartment where the girls were. She would then wait in the car till the johns were finished. http://www.ktvb.com/news/regional/Tacoma-woman-used-donut-shop-for-child-prostitution-say-feds-111611689.html http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/12/09/1457919/tacoma-woman-charged-with-sex.html
Wichita, Kansas, USA, United States
Brandon W. Dennis, 25, Wichita, is charged with two counts of attempting to recruit teenagers to perform commercial sex acts. In one count, the victim is identified as “Jane Doe,” a 17-year-old Wichita girl. In the other case, the victim is identified as “Rissa,” a name used by a detective with the Wichita Police Department who was working undercover. A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Wichita alleges that the 17-year-old victim met Dennis in the summer of 2011 at a party. She told him her age and they became friends on Facebook. On Oct. 23 and Oct. 24, 2011, she received several messages on Facebook from Dennis. He told her she could make up to $800 a day working as a prostitute. One message from Dennis read: “become a hoe n get paid n get rich.” When she declined his offer, he threatened her and sent her a message that said: “u jus nothing but a dog that needs the rite trainin n life.”
Brownsville, Texas, USA, United States
Rogelio Serrano-Lara, 21, or Matamoros, Mexico, , appeared before U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen on Nov. 15, 2011. Judge Hanen sentenced Serrano-Lara to 120 months in federal prison for his role in an alien smuggling/transportation conspiracy According to court documents, on Sept. 26, 2011 as part of the sentencing hearing, the government presented six witnesses in support of an upward departure of the U.S. sentencing guidelines. Among the witnesses that testified was a 29-year-old woman from El Salvador who stated she was raped by Serrano-Lara. Additional testimony was presented by her daughter and law enforcement officials. Serrano-Lara faced a maximum of 37 months in prison based on the U.S. sentencing guidelines, but upon hearing from the government's witnesses previously and the defense on Oct. 31, 2011 the judge enhanced his sentencing to 120 months. Serrano-Lara pleaded guilty on June 9. 2011 to transporting an alien within the United States. On April 27, 2011 during Serrano-Lara's plea hearings, the government's evidence indicated that ICE HSI received information concerning a stash house used for harboring illegal aliens. Upon attempting a consensual search of a residence on Sybil Street in Brownsville, multiple subjects fled, but agents managed to arrest 13 illegal aliens. Further investigation led to the indictment of Hector Josue Velasquez-Cruz, 29, of Honduras, for concealing or harboring a certain illegal alien for commercial advantage and private financial gain. According to court documents, Velasquez-Cruz admitted to being the caretaker of the residence for four months in exchange for passage to Houston. At the time of his arrest, 34 illegal aliens had arrived and departed from the stash house during the 17 days Velasquez-Cruz had served as caretaker of the Sybil residence. The investigation also revealed that Yered Esquivel-Medina, 23, of Michoacan, Mexico, had arrived at the residence on the date of the apprehensions. He served as the brush guide for the illegal aliens during their trip to Houston by guiding them around the U.S. Customs and Border Protection checkpoint. Through interviews, the agents learned that the 29-year-old woman and her family had traveled by bus to Reynosa, Mexico, crossed the river on the following day, and were eventually transported to the Sybil residence by Serrano-Lara. Upon arrival at the Sybil residence, Serrano-Lara patted them down one by one and robbed them of their money. Later, when the woman's 21-year-old niece and 13-year-old daughter began to cry, Serrano-Lara threatened to kill them and told them he was with the Zetas. Court records revealed, the El Salvadorian woman was in the kitchen on her second day at the Sybil residence when Serrano-Lara pulled her into the smaller bedroom and told her to surrender herself to him. When she refused, he threatened to rape her daughter instead. She explained how she felt she had no choice and Serrano-Lara proceeded to sexually assault her. During the investigation of Serrano-Lara, other illegal aliens reported that he had robbed them of their money as they arrived at the residence and were transported in the trunk of the vehicle. Velasquez-Cruz pleaded guilty on June 9 to harboring an illegal alien and was sentenced last month to 15 months in prison. Esquivel-Medina pleaded guilty on July 27 to conspiracy to transport and harbor an alien within the United States. He is pending sentencing for Dec. 15. All three men have been in custody since their arrest.
Good Nite Inn, Redwood City, CA, United States
The trafficker allegedly set up appointments for the victim, a 17-year-old girl, using Myredbook.com. The suspect met the victim when the victim was sitting on a curb in Oakland. She recruited the victim to work as a prostitute, took seductive pictures of the girl, posted them online, and handled all monetary transactions. The suspect was arrested on October 12, 2010 in the Good Nite Inn on Veterans Boulevard as part of a police sting operation.
San Diego, California, USA, United States
On May 27, 2011, Maurice Lerome Smith was convicted after a three-day jury trial. A federal jury returned verdicts convicting Smith on one count of sex trafficking of children by force, fraud, and coercion, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to evidence presented at trial, Smith set up online ads offering commercial sex acts with his child victim. Smith would book the rooms and drive the child to the motels; he then took possession of all the money. The child was told to make a daily quota as high as $1,000. The child testified she met Smith online in 2009. She testified that in September 2010, while walking in San Diego, Smith forced her to get into his car and later physically assaulted her with a belt, had sex with her, and then drove her to a motel to work as a prostitute. Smith told the girl if she did not get into his car, she would be “in pieces in the trunk”.
Indianapolis, IN & Speedway, IN, United States
Chris Smiley - 27 years old - The victim tried to escape but she says Smiley "pointed a black semi-automatic gun at her and hit her in the side of the head with it" saying "You know what happens to the girls that try to run?" Ayannah Willis - 26 years old - The victim told police that night Willis threatened to "rape her with the knife." The victim says that's when Willis told her she would have to prostitute herself to pay off her parents' drug debt: she "would perform sexual acts and sexual intercourse with several men a day from ads" on "Craig’s list" and "live links" phone line. Latoya Harlin - 21 years old -Court documents detail the relationships of the three, who called themselves "Team Smiley."
Woodico Court, Houston, TX, United States
Harris County SO received information about illegal aliens being held against their will. Deputies found 2 females. One had been smuggled into the US for $2500. Defendants were recruiting illegals from Mexico, paying their smuggling fee, and forcing the aliens to work off the debt by selling pirated CDs and DVDs. The victims lived with the defendants and were assaulted, threatened, and intimidated with threatening phone calls to their families in Mexico.
north charleston, south carolina, United States
One person (Rubi Bertaud-Cabrera, 27) is charged with human trafficking and two others (Efrain Pacheco-Martinez and Marcos Antonio Pacheco-Martinez) were being sought after a 20-year-old woman told police she was smuggled in from Mexico, held captive for three weeks at a house in North Charleston, and forced to have sex.
Denver/Lakewood (various locations in this area), United States
The trafficker was found guilty of pimping a 17-year-old girl and an 18-year old woman, coercing them too charge up to $175 per hour for sex, and keeping most of that money. The trafficker forced two women to pose for explicit photos, which he posted on Craigslist. He then instructed them to charge $150 for a half hour and $175 for an hour for “out-calls” to hotels in Denver and Lakewood. The trafficker’s co-defendant drove the teens to the “out-calls” at motels. The trafficker, who was 19 at the time of the arrest, was charged with human trafficking, pimping, trafficking in children, pimping of a child, pandering of a child, and inducement of child prostitution. His co-defendant was charged with conspiracy to commit pimping and possession of a controlled substance. The trafficker was convicted in 2011 and will serve an 8 year sentence in prison.
lexington county, south carolina, United States
In Lexington County, South Carolina recently, authorities arrested a Batesburg-Leesville bondsman on the charge of forced labor after he was accused of making a woman do sexual favors and work for him in exchange for bail. According to the McClatchy News Service, sheriff's deputies arrested Curtis Jackson Maroney, 51, on charges of blackmail and human trafficking charges, the sheriff's department said.
Denver (exact location unknown), United States
A teen from Colorado Springs was kidnapped and forced into prostitution in Denver. The 17-year-old girl was suspended from school in May 2010, and instead of going home, she went to her ex-boyfriend’s house. He arranged to take her to Denver to “make money.” There, she was taken to a house where she was taught how to be a prostitute and how to identify undercover policemen. She performed numerous sex acts on local Denver men, and she was advertised online as an escort. Of those arrested, one of the 19-year-old men was the victim’s ex-boyfriend, and he arranged for the victim to go to Denver. The 32-year-old man drove the victim, as well as another 19-year-old woman to Denver. There, the 28-year-old woman taught the victim and the 19-year-old woman how to be prostitutes, and posted nude or semi-nude pictures of them online to advertise them to johns. At the time of the source articles, there three were all in custody. The other 19-year-old man aided the traffickers by providing rides for the girls to hotels, where the sex acts occurred. At the time of the articles, he had failed to appear in court, and a warrant had been issued for his arrest.
Illinois, United States
This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp. Baynes was sentenced to 96 months in prison on one count of transportation to engage in a commercial sex act.
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Porter and Young ran the place and hired the strippers according to police. Neighbors were surprised by the arrests and describe the Patterson Square center as ‘industrial' and mostly commercial businesses. Undra Gaines works across the street from the club and said when he heard about it he thought it was, "Pitiful, disgusting, the reason why I say that is because minors were involved." Many in the neighborhood knew about the parties thrown there, but say they never thought underage girls participated in the parties. "I've been invited to the place several times, but never did go," said Devin Coleman who works across the street from the ‘Party Room'. He said he thought they were, "‘Grown up' parties, you know what I'm saying ‘grown up parties', I'm being honest with you, that's what everyone thought." The door at 5608 Patterson Road reads, ‘Every Event Help Kids'. The establishment that is right beside the club shows a sign of Porter as the face of a group called "Survivors of Murdered Children". "It's a very difficult situation and in this case it's probably not over yet, we're still investigating, probably more charges are coming," said Little Rock Police Department Spokesperson, Lt. Terry Hastings. Many who worked just doors down from the illegal club said they had no idea a joint like this was in their area. Rick Howell works at an alarm company in the complex and said, "It goes to show you never know what's going on with your neighbors." The owners, Porter and Young face a slew of charges including endangering the welfare of a minor and promoting a child in a sexual performance.
crown heights, brooklyn, United States
"The turning point for the victim came as she was studying criminal justice at John Jay College. Her tormentors were threatening to recruit one of her close family members and she could not let that happen, so she went to her professor, Jeff Kern, a former prosecutor. He carefully suggested that she speak to the authorities; he knew she was reluctant out of fear for her safety and that of her family." "Mr. Kern said he spoke several times on his own to the police and the district attorney’s office and helped her understand the criminal justice system to make her feel more comfortable to approach the authorities herself." sources: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/06/29/sources-sex-trafficking-ring-broken-up-in-brooklyn-after-sex-slave-tips-off-authorities/ http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/01/nyregion/woman-in-brooklyn-rape-case-confided-in-professor.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=john%20jay%20prostitution&st=cse
East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Yes, unknown how it happened; lawsuit was filed by victims against perpetrators. A Federal Judge in California refused to drop trafficking charges.
Suwanee, Georgia, United States
Bidemi Bello, a 41 year old citizen of Nigeria, separately recruited two young women from Nigeria and brought them her home in Suwanee to work as her nanny with the promise of putting them through school. Instead, she forced them to work as her unpaid servants, forcing them to chores by hand, despite having modern appliances. She would make them do things such as cutting the lawn using a knife, and regularly beat them. The young women said Bello beat them with a large wooden spoon, shoes, electric cords and with her hands. Despite living in an upscale home that had multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, Bello made the young women sleep on the floor or a couch. She also would not let them use the shower, but instead required them to bathe with water from a bucket.
Poppleton Ave & S 30th Ave Omaha, NE 68105, United States
Four individuals ran a sex trafficking business out of their home property in Omaha, Nebraska. Merrideth Crane-Horton was described in court records as the "mastermind." Her husband, Edwin Horton, handled the money, while Ramon Heredia, Horton's nephew, provided the muscle. Katherine Heredia worked as a prostitute. The trafficked girls involved were under the age of eighteen, one girl was only thirteen years of age. Two girls, the thirteen year old and a fifteen year old, managed to escape. Girls harbored at this Omaha residence were beaten and threatened to perform sexual acts for pay with their earnings going directly to their traffickers. One woman, now 20, told authorities that Crane-Horton and Ramon Heredia beat her to coerce her into prostitution and to keep her from talking to police. The woman said Crane-Horton would lock her inside a room without heat or lights to compel her to perform sex acts. Katherine Heredia was also working as a co-conspirator as well as a prostitute. She claims to have been subject to violent beatings to “keep [the other girls] in line”. A local expert on human trafficking said it's not uncommon for a victim like Katherine Heredia to become a co-conspirator. "It is very similar to a domestic violence situation," said a member of the Omaha Salvation Army's social services division. "It is somewhat like Stockholm syndrome. After a period of brainwashing and breaking,' you co-opt with your abuser ... and bring into the fold younger people. It is a distorted idea of love."
Harrow, United States
Trafficker, 68 from Tanzania. Recruited Victim for domestic servitude. Promised £21 per month for her daughters college fees and £10 per month pocket money. However, confiscated victims documents and made her work from 6.00 am until 12.00 am every day.
Laurel, MD, United States
The 12-year old victim was reported as missing and possibly involved in sex exploitation on May 25th, 2010. Trafficker picked up the victim in Washington, DC in an area known for prostitution on Friday evening and paid for sexual services performed in the back seat of his car. He then recruited her to work for him and took her to Atlantic City, NJ over the weekend. Under his direction, men paid to have sex with her over. The money was collected and held by the Trafficker. She told him that she wanted to return home but was held against her will. She feared him because of his size and age. He purchased a motel room for her in Anne Arundel County, MD on Monday morning, and told the child he would be back later to have sex with her. The child called a relative from the hotel room. It was investigated, and the girl was recovered and taken into custody.
Ginger Lane, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC, United States
Rubi Bertaud-Cabrera Age: 27 Charged with one count of importing an alien for an immoral purpose; two counts of bringing in and harboring aliens; one count of transporting for prostitution; and one count of failing to file a factual statement about an alien. Police are now looking for suspected human traffickers Efrain Bertaud-Cabrera, who is described as 5'5", 200 pounds, and about 30-40 years old, and Marcos Antonio Pacheco-Martinez, 5'9", 160 pounds and about 25-35 years old. Victim had been smuggled into this country illegally after Bertaud-Cabrera's mother in Mexico approached the victim's mother about traveling to the United States to care for Bertaud-Cabrara's children, the affidavit said. The offer was first extended when the victim was 16, but her mother resisted until four years later. The victim then traveled to Altar, Mexico, to meet someone who would smuggle her across the border. She paid the smuggler 1,200 pesos, or about $100, the affidavit said. She first was taken to a "stash house" in the Phoenix area for several days, then moved to Atlanta and ultimately to the house on Ginger Lane. She initially did housework there, but Bertaud-Cabrera then told her that she would have to work as a prostitute to pay off her smuggling fee, the affidavit said. The Victim escaped from her alleged abductors and was walking around the Pepperhill subdivision about 7 p.m., according to a police incident report. A woman in the neighborhood saw the victim and called police, said Spencer Pryor, police public information officer. “She looked like a child and she looked confused,” said the caller, a Smoketree Court resident, who asked that her name be withheld. “I didn’t stick around to hear what was wrong with her. I just called police and left.” Using a Spanish-speaking officer as an interpreter, the victim led police to a house on Ginger Lane where she said she had been held against her will for three weeks.
Mableton, Georgia, United States
David Lee Walker Age: 29 Sentenced to 12 years in prison for Human Trafficking and other related charges - May 20, 2011 David Lee Walker, a pimp who operated in the metro Atlanta area, controlled at least five women, all between the ages of 20 and 24. They operated out of Rodeway Inn at Fulton Industrial Boulevard, south of the city. But one night, apparently, one of the girls decided she had had enough and wanted to leave. When Walker wasn't around, she fled to a nearby restaurant - The Varsity - to look for help. But Walker found out, and he ordered the other women he controlled to bring her back to their motel. Walker and the women beat the 21-year-old with a bottle until her eyes swelled shut and there was a hole in her head. Then, one of the women locked her in the dog cage and left her there overnight, with injuries untreated. Five people, including alleged pimp David Lee Walker, are charged with beating the woman until her eyes were swollen shut and she had a hole in her head from being hit with a bottle. The victim was then forced into a 3-by-5 foot dog cage and kept there overnight. Walker sent cell phone pictures of the caged woman to other pimps.
Edenfield Rd, Jacksonville, FL, United States
On September 16, 2009, the Canadian woman was apprehended by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office as part of an undercover prostitution sting. At that time, the woman became hysterical and advised officers about what had happened to her. The investigation into Townsend's sex trafficking activities then commenced. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover prostitution sting. Upon arrival in Jacksonville, after stops in many cities down from New York City, Townsend caused the women to engage in commercial sex acts from an abandoned apartment on Edenfield Road and also from the locations of customers, including local homes and hotels. Investigators amassed a large amount of evidence including hotel records, phone records, bank records, and 28 internet ads in which Townsend advertised the victim's availability for commercial sex acts. Investigators also seized a GPS from Townsend's vehicle and were able to establish locations of various customers in Jacksonville from the data contained in the GPS. The Canadian victim testified that Townsend forcibly removed her personal property (including her passport, cell phone, and laptop computer) from her belongings at the residence of Townsend's brother in Thomasville, North Carolina as a means of preventing her from leaving. Investigators actually recovered the woman's hidden passport from inside a stereo speaker at the brother's residence. Evidence also included a social networking message to one of the victims in which Townsend acknowledged that the victim would be beaten for not making "her number," a reference to a nightly quota of $1,000.00.
Lakeland, New York, United States
The state and federal investigators intervened. The NY Labor Religion Coalition wants to meet with Dan O’Hara (NY State Fair Director) over these allegations and they want the State Labor Department to get involved. The United States Department of Labor has confronted Karageorgis who said intends to pay them; however, he does not have the funds as of now. However, when he was arrested he had three wads of cash in his pocket. The case was dismissed because Karageorgis says he will pay the workers.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Tyrelle and Myrelle Lockett, twin brothers, 18-years-old, operated trafficking ring in South suburbs. Traffickers plead guilty to Class 1 Felony charges of Trafficking in Persons for Forced Labor or Services. They were sentenced to 4 years in prison.
missoula, montana, United States
Richard Carpita, 30, male Anthony J. Brazington, 21, male. The men used Craigslist to solicit prostitution of 5 girls age 16-18 for money and drugs.
South Fremont, CA, United States
Fang Ping Ding, 62; Wei Wei Liang, 36; and Bo Shen, 43 recruited a woman from China in December of 2007. They brought her to the U.S. to live in Ding's home and be a nanny and house-cleaner. Upon her arrival at the home, the Chinese woman's passport, identification papers and documents, and visa were taken from her. She proceeded to work in the home which included cleaning, cooking, and providing childcare services. During the work that was forced upon her, she was physically abused and received no pay. The victim escaped in April 2009 and contacted authorities with the help of a passerby. Ding was sentenced to 37 months in prison on a human-trafficking charge for forcing this woman to work as an unpaid live-in domestic servant and for confiscating the woman's visa, passport, and other documents. Liang was sentenced to home confinement. Shen was sentenced to probation on related immigration charges of harboring the victim. The defendants must also jointly pay the woman $83,867.
Albequerque, New Mexico, United States
Tilford Black offered an 18 year old runaway food, shelter, and money. She agreed, and was then forced to engage in sexual acts for money, and hand the money over to Black. Black admitted that he "knowingly recruited, solicited, enticed, obtained or transported the victim with the intent or knowledge that force, fraud or coercion was used to subject her to engage in commercial sexual activity."
Naples, Florida, United States
Naomi Vasquez (31 years of age)was pimping out 3 girls and enforcing an operation run by her boyfriend Derrick Ned. The girls were not allowed to leave and were not paid though compensation was said to have been given through drugs. The appointments with clients were made by Vasquez on an internet site untitled "My Goddess Companion." Vasquez herself is a mother of a few children who fell pregnant at 16 and ended up moving from Hotel to Hotel and becoming addicted to drugs.
Des Moines, WA, United States
Marquin Thompson, 28, Male, a resident of Everett, WA and San Diego, CA, acted as a pimp for the victim during 2007 and 2008 in the states of Washington, Arizona, and California. His conviction was for the trafficking he perpetrated in Des Moines and Kent, WA, along the Pacific Highway South. Victim was estranged from her family. Thompson forced the victim into prostitution, controlled her with threats and violence, and continued to coerce her in further months using threats of harm and abandonment. The victim was expected to make hundreds of dollars each day, and turn over all earnings to Thompson. Thompson has a prior conviction for supervision of a prostitute in February of 2006; was arrested for violation of probation while in the company of a suspected prostitute in August of 2009; was a suspect, along with two other individuals, in a prostitution recruitment case in May of 2009.
Roselle ave, hawthorn, ca, United States
A 14 year old girl was reported missing. Meanwhile, Police were investing Braggs for prior suspicion of kidnapping and pimping. The girl missing after liberation told authorities, she was "kid napped while riding a bus, sexually assulted and forced to take hig doses of GHB and ecstasy" She also was tattooed on her chest with the words "King Snipe's (tafficker's street name) Bitch". The victim liberated also told authorities, she witnessed, "Other women forced to go out into the street at night only to come back with a fixed amount of money. If the women did not bring enough money back were beaten" 14 year old ran away due to threats from Bragg to "harm her family if she did not return"
Lakewood, WA, United States
Juan Alexander Vianez, aka Nauj, age 26, from Lakewood, WA, and Las Vegas, Nevada. According to records in the case and testimony at trial, VIANEZ met the victim in this case when she was just a week past her 17th birthday. VIANEZ convinced the girl to become sexually involved with him. He then pressured her into prostitution to earn money for him. With threats and beatings he kept her isolated in the world of prostitution forcing her to work in Portland, Las Vegas and Arizona, and returning all money earned to him. As prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo, “On a nearly weekly basis over the course of four years, the defendant threatened (the victim) with harm, and assaulted her, including punching her in the face, the stomach and ribs. The beatings did not excuse (the victim) from prostituting; she just had to put on more make-up to cover up the bruises.” http://www.justice.gov/usao/waw/press/2010/sep/vianez.html
Killeen, Texas, United States
Dwayne Charles Love, 24, from Suisan, California. The woman told police that Love had created listings on sexually-oriented websites, and had provided her with a work cell phone that was linked to the listings online, according to the arrest affidavit. She said that she had been at the hotel for three days and during that time, she had sex with four men, Witherspoon had sex with five or six men, and the other woman with three men. She said that she and the other woman would collect the money and give it to Witherspoon, who would give it to Love. She told police she couldn't keep any of the money, but was given a place to stay and food to eat. http://www.kwtx.com/waco/headlines/101919423.html http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?s=41099
Oakland, CA, United States
After one of the girls escaped bondage, she sought police help. Investigators from the Oakland Police Dept. pursued Turner and later arrested him. Turner was tried in the Alameda County Superior Court, before Judge Cecilia Castellanos on June 25, 2010. After a single day of deliberation, the jurors found Turner guilty of two counts of kidnapping for financial gain from the female body, two counts of forcible rape and one count each of forcible oral copulation, pandering and human trafficking.
Sacramento, CA, United States
Reginald Wilson, 23, of Sacramento, was sentenced on July 26, 2010 by United States District Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr., to seven and a half years in prison to be followed by 15 years of supervised release for sex trafficking of minors. Wilson pleaded guilty September 8, 2009. According to court documents, in December 2007 and January of 2008, Wilson recruited two girls, one 15 and one 16 years old, and caused them to engage in prostitution. ______________________________ PRIMARY SOURCE(S): FBI Sacramento - http://sacramento.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel10/sc072610a.htm SECONDARY SOURCE(S): Department of Justice - http://www.justice.gov/usao/cae/press_releases/docs/2010/08-12-10Sacramento%20PSC%20press%20release.pdf Sacramento Today - http://www.sacramentotoday.net/news/templates/community.asp?articleid=1210&zoneid=1 Sacramento Area Local News - http://cbs13.com/local/Trafficking.Craisglist.Court.2.690752.html Sacramento Bee - http://blogs.sacbee.com/mt/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=36&search=Reginald+Wilson+Jr.+of+Sacramento&keywords=Reginald+Wilson+Jr.+of+Sacramento&aff=5
Northport, Alabama, United States
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and state and local law enforcement agencies investigated and intervened. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Fortune prosecuted it. U.S. District Judge Abdul K. Kallon sentenced Castiblanco-Hernandez to 10 months in prison and five years of supervised release after completing his prison term. CASTILBLANCO also must register as a sex offender. “Making money off the exploitation and misery of another human being, whether for commercial sex acts or forced labor, is human trafficking and nothing more than modern day slavery,” Vance said. “Prosecuting this type case is how we begin to address the criminal enterprise of human trafficking…” said U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance.
San Diego, California, United States
Male, age 22 was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release following his release from prison. Male, age 24 was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison. Male, age 21 was sentenced to serve 108 months in prison. According to evidence presented at trial, the men picked up the 14-year-old female victim from a restaurant on El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego. They drove her to a motel in Oceanside, where they forced her to pose for sexually explicit photographs so that they could solicit “johns” on the Internet to engage in commercial sex acts with the child.
bronx, new york, United States
DAVIS, 36, is charged with one count of sex trafficking involving a minor through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. This case is being prosecuted by the Complex Frauds Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Kramer is in charge of the prosecution. The charges in the criminal Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Follow-up January 20, 2011: Lawrence Taylor to Register as Sex Offender http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/13/sportsline/main7243830.shtml Hall of Fame Linebacker Lawrence Taylor Pleads Guilty to Two Misdemeanors for Sex With 16-Year-Old Prostitute (AP) NEW CITY, N.Y. - Former NFL star Lawrence Taylor pleaded guilty Thursday to sexual misconduct and patronizing a prostitute, misdemeanor charges that carry no jail time but require him to register as a sex offender. The 51-year-old ex-linebacker, who led the New York Giants to Super Bowl titles in 1987 and 1991, will serve six years probation. “She told me she was 19,” Taylor said in court as he admitted having sex with a prostitute who turned out to be a 16-year-old Bronx runaway. Harry Carson, his former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer, was in the courtroom and gave Taylor a supportive greeting when he arrived. Taylor was arrested in May at a suburban hotel. He previously had pleaded not guilty to third-degree rape, patronizing a prostitute, sexual abuse and endangering a child. He had been resisting a plea deal for months. Prosecutors said in December he had been offered a six-month jail term and 10 years' probation in exchange for pleading guilty to a felony. Taylor would have had to register as a sex offender. Defense attorney Arthur Aidala had called that offer unacceptable but said he would listen to any other offers. Two other members of the Giants' 1991 Super Bowl team are behind bars. Mark Ingram Sr., a star receiver, is spending nearly 10 years in federal prison for money laundering, bank fraud and bail jumping. And the electrifying kick returner Dave Meggett was sentenced last year to 30 years for criminal sexual conduct and burglary. Taylor's trial would likely have started within a few weeks. He was arrested May 6 after the underage girl's uncle contacted New York City police. Officers from Ramapo woke him at a Holiday Inn in Montebello. Police said he was cooperative and no drugs were found in the room, although a bottle of alcohol was. Taylor has a history of drug offenses but has been to rehab and his lawyer says he has been sober for years. In a related case, federal prosecutors in Manhattan filed a complaint last year against a man who is accused of acting as the girl's pimp. Court papers in that case say Taylor admitted to sex acts with the girl but said he was told the girl was 19. Ramapo police Chief Peter Brower said after Taylor's arrest that ignorance of a minor's age is not a defense to third-degree rape. Aidala had claimed that Taylor's arrest was illegal because police did not have a warrant when they burst into his suburban hotel room in May. Prosecutors said no warrant was required and state Supreme Court Justice William Kelly rejected the claim. But he granted a pretrial hearing on whether statements Taylor made upon his arrest were admissible. Aidala said in December he was relishing the chance to cross-examine the arresting police officers. Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999. A fierce, athletic linebacker, he redefined his position and was selected to the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. In 2009, he competed in ABC's “Dancing With the Stars.” He had also been a spokesman for the NutriSystem weight-loss company, but he was dropped after his arrest.
Fingerboard Road, Staten Island, United States
Most of the defendants were arraigned yesterday in State Supreme Court on Staten Island before Justice Leonard P. Rienzi, who set bail for Mr. Farella at $400,000. He set bail for Mr. Pioppo at $80,000 and for Mr. Galbo at $40,000. Mr. Farella's lawyer, Vincent J. Romano, said he and his client knew about the investigation since the first search warrant in the investigation of the prostitution ring was executed in October 2002. But Mr. Romano insisted that his client's businesses were lawful and that he was unaware that anyone who worked for him was exchanging sex for money. ''It was a business,'' Mr. Romano said. ''It was a legitimate business.'' He said his client ''didn't authorize, force or coerce'' anyone to take part in any illegal activity. ''If it happened, my client didn't know it happened,'' the lawyer added. The women were dispatched from storefront offices in Staten Island and from a Brooklyn apartment and would be dropped off by the limousine drivers, mostly in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, the law enforcement official said. Two women would ride with each driver, and they would work 12-hour shifts, the official said. They carried a device inside the car to make an imprint of customers' credit cards, the official said. At the end of the night, most of the drivers and the women would come together to settle up at a Dunkin' Donuts shop or a diner in Brooklyn, with as many as six of the cars parked outside as the credit-card receipts and cash were counted and the women were given their share of roughly one-third of the proceeds, the official said.
Staten Island, New York, United States
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Authorities have charged 14 reputed members and associates of the Gambino crime family -- including nine Staten Islanders -- on counts ranging from sex trafficking of a minor to murder and racketeering. OREFICE, DIFIORE, MANZELLA, SCOTTO, EISLER, MAIURRO, and PORCELLI are charged with sex trafficking and sex trafficking of a minor. From 2008 to 2009, the defendants operated a prostitution business where young women and girls—including an underage girl who was 15 years old at the time—were exploited and sold for sex. The defendants first recruited various young women and girls—ages 15 through 19—to work as prostitutes. The defendants then advertised the prostitution business on Craigslist and other websites. The defendants drove the women to appointments in Manhattan, Brooklyn, New Jersey, and Staten Island to have sex with clients. The defendants then took approximately 50 percent of the money paid to the young women. The defendants also made the women available for sex to gamblers at a weekly, high-stakes poker games that OREFICE and his crew ran
Bushwick and Brownsville, Brooklyn NY, United States
Eight people have been indicted on charges that include sex trafficking or promoting prostitution as a result of the investigation. The pimps sometimes started off as boyfriends or had acquaintances recruit friends and schoolmates from local high schools and middle schools, luring girls with promises of cash and “a generous lifestyle,” he added. Instead, the men used threats and violence to force the women to meet quotas of $500 a day or more, meeting clients at sex parties or through the “adult services” categories of Craigslist and other Web sites.
Fayetteville, AR, United States
James B. Mitchell, 66 of Fayetteville and Jason M.Fedele, 38, and his wife Tiffney Fedele, 38, of PA have been aressted and charged with running a prostitution ring that spanned AR and MO. and included at leat one under age victim.
Aurora Ave North Seattle, Washington, United States
"A man charged with kidnapping and promoting prostitution on Aurora Avenue North served two decades in prison for selling crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of Garfield High School. Additional police documents in the case against Derrick "Vamp" Hargress were released Tuesday. Hargress has pleaded not guilty to first-degree promoting prostitution and second-degree kidnapping. His next court date is Aug. 19. Hargress told a 21-year-old girl he allegedly forced himself upon that he was a Hoover Crip. When Hargress, now 48, pleaded guilty to selling crack and using a firearm while dealing, a federal judge said he would consider lowering his sentence if he wrote a letter warning Los Angeles Crips gang members of the risk of committing crimes in Seattle. "Crip members, wake up and learn from my experience (not the hard way!) that coming to Seattle to sell cocaine isn't wise at all," Hargress wrote in a two-page letter, according to a 1988 P-I story. But prosecutors questioned his sincerity and after Hargress' letter said he is "probably the most dangerous and the most dedicated to crime of the 26 'gang-related defendants' indicted thus far." From 1986 and 1988, Seattle saw an influx of gang members from Los Angeles who were paid more for crack cocaine here than in Los Angeles. Many were members of the Nine Deuce Hoover Crips, a name that comes from the intersection of 92nd and Hoover streets in L.A. A Seattle crack house busted in 1988 showed the graffiti tags of Hargress and other gang members who pleaded guilty to federal charges. Hoover Crips are still a problem in Seattle, but not to the extent seen in the late 1980s, according to police. Hargress was released from federal prison in 2008. Court documents show that year he was convicted of drug offenses, assault and had domestic violence assault convictions in 2009." -seattlepi.com www.seattlepi.com/local/424864_cop11.html?source=rss
Mc Allen, Texas, United States
Beleal Garcia Gonzalez lured three Honduran girls, ages 14, 15 and 17, promises jobs as waitresses. For $700 and when they arrived gave them $150 and kept most of that for the smulling fee. They worked in his bar in McAllen, Texas
Portland, Oregon, United States
"Jefferson Davis, 22, has been indicted by a federal grand jury following his arrest in Portland on August 12. The indictment alleges that Davis transported the girl across four states as he forced her to work as a prostitute. Davis is alleged to have struck, beaten, and otherwise physically assaulted the minor whenever she refused to work as a prostitute…. Davis obtained the minor’s address and told her that, ‘if she went to the police or talked about her trafficking, he would kill her family,’” according to a statement from the Federal Bureau of Investigation."
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
"JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA (BNO NEWS) – Six arrests were made due to crimes discovered during a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office targeting child prostitution, the Department of Justice announced on Monday. Ian Sean Gordon, 29, of Tallahassee, was charged with sex trafficking of a minor. Gordon is accused of enticing the minor and of forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts. If convicted, Gordon faces a sentence ranging from 15 years in prison to life behind bars. Melvin Eugene Friedman, 45, of Jacksonville, was indicted for sex trafficking of a minor, conspiracy to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base, aiding and abetting in the possession of cocaine base, using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Friedman allegedly enticed a minor while knowing that she would be forced to engage in prostitution. The defendant is also a cocaine dealer and uses his own residence for distributing narcotics. Friedman was previously convicted of manslaughter, sale or delivery of cocaine, and possession of burglary tools. He faces a minimum sentence of20 years and a maximum penalty of two consecutive life sentences plus 70 years. Phillip Anthony Aiken, 28, Oris Alexander English, 45, and Alfredo Martinez Riquene, 42, all from Jacksonville, were charged with sex trafficking of a minor. They allegedly obtained a minor, knowing that the child would be used in prostitution acts. If convicted, each defendant faces a mandatory sentence of 10 years and a maximum term of life imprisonment. Antonio D. Ford, 28, of Jacksonville, was charged with misprision of a felony. The indictment charges that Ford knew about the sex trafficking of a minor and failed to notify federal authorities." -BNO News http://wireupdate.com/wires/8687/jacksonville-child-prostitution-investigation-results-in-six-arrests/
Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida, United States
"A 24-year-old Orlando woman is behind bars after she was caught forcing an Ohio woman into prostitution. It all started 8 months ago when 24-year-old Melissa Ann Scivoletti started talking to a woman over myspace. The woman said Scivoletti told her she could get her a job at an Orlando Walmart. Scivoletti sent the victim a bus ticket from Ohio to Pittsburgh where Scivoletti and a man named "Stay Ready" met her. Shortly after, the victim says "Stay Ready" beat her and forced her to have sex with men for money. She says when she refused "Stay Ready" and Scivoletti threatened her with violence and violence on her family. Eventually, they came to Orlando staying at the Econo Lodge on Orange Blossom Trail, working the streets. A deputy found the victim there along with Scivoletti, watching from a nearby car." http://wdbo.com/localnews/2010/08/woman-forced-into-prostitution.html
Atlantic city, United States
Kasiem Brown, 36 years old pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor girl by force, fraud and coercion, and conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license.In the US Camden Court.
Stevenson St. between 6th and 7th streets, United States
Just noticed today. rows and rows of sewing machines locked inside a building with no windows and door is gated inside with gray metal doors on the outside. Mostly Chinese women are working there. And just around the corner is the Appellate Court and the Federal Building.
Everett, WA, United States
At about 10 a.m. Tuesday, detectives posed as clients of the girl's, whom they met at a Seattle location that police did not reveal. The detectives also found two adult women with the girl. One of the women, 25, was arrested for allegedly promoting the commercial sexual abuse of a minor. The other woman, whose age was not given, was released.
Millersville, MD, United States
Army Spc. Craig Allen Corey II, Robert Harris II, Jacob Tyler and Richard Johnson II of Chillicothe, OH ran a drug and prostitution ring from an apartment owned by Corey in Millersville, Md. They recruited 12 girls (willing and unwilling) from Chillicothe, OH(including a 16 year old); Virginia, and one woman from Watertown, NY. Their operation used online venues like Craigslist to market the girls. Corey and the others controlled the girls through beatings, threats, and planned drug addictions (they gave the girls free drugs until the girls became addicted and then began to charge for each “fix” from daily earnings). Tyler and Harris both had guns that were used to threaten the girls. The situation was brought to light when one of the girls (age 19) called her parents saying that her car had been disabled. They contacted local authorities. This in combination with suspicious ads on Craiglist, which were discovered by local authorities, led to further investigation of the Millersville apartment.
Los Angeles, United States
Steven Martinez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, stated: “The FBI worked with the Los Angeles Police Department and San Diego Sheriff’s Department to build a successful case that ended Lawson’s abusive activity and resulted in today’s guilty plea. Agents will continue to collaborate with local law enforcement to investigate those who victimize children in this country by trafficking minors interstate and forcing them into lives of prostitution in order to enrich themselves.” The case against Lawson was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Los Angeles Police Department and the San Diego Sheriff's Department. The FBI investigation was conducted by the Southern Central California Innocence Lost Task Force (SOCAIL). The mission of the SOCAIL Task Force is to provide a rapid and effective investigative response to federal crimes involving child prostitution, reduce the vulnerability of children to acts of sexual exploitation, and strengthen law enforcement capabilities through training programs and investigative assistance. The SOCAIL Task Force in Orange County is made up of agents and officers from the FBI, the California Department of Justice and the Anaheim Police Department.
Williamsburg, IA, United States
Demont Bowie of Wellman, IA was sentenced to 35 years in prison for kidnapping a 13-year-old Minneapolis girl and holding her in the basement of a house in Williamsburg, IA. He forced her to have sex with his friends and with other men as part of a prostitution ring that his father, Robert Sallis, operated. Bowie threatened that he would kill the girl and her family if she did not comply.
Phoenix, AZ, United States
A coalition of agencies called IIMPACT, which includes the DPS, Phoenix police and federal immigration officials, began investigating the home following a tip of a possible drophouse near 79th Avenue and Camelback Road, said Bart Graves, a media relations coordinator for the Department of Public Safety. Authorities served a search warrant at the home about 1 p.m. Wednesday. When authorities arrived, five men and a woman who were believed to have held the immigrants scattered, Graves said. It took authorities about 20 minutes to find all the suspects and clear the area, but they were all eventually located and arrested on suspicion of human smuggling. The victims – two women, 11 men and three male juveniles ranging from elementary-school age to the 15-year-old boy who apparently traveled alone – appeared to be in relatively good condition. The victims were from El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico, Graves said. In addition, the victims said they had been at another house where they suffered from violent acts. Authorities were still trying to locate that house. It is not uncommon to find more drophouses after the initial one, according to DPS. http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/06/02/20100602west-phoenix-drophouse-abrk.html#ixzz0uLWDYq3z http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoenix/6-arrested-for-human-smuggling-at-west-phoenix-drop-house http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/immigration/drop-house-bust-in-west-phoenix-6-2-2010
Sacramento, CA, United States
According to court documents filed in the case, on January 11, 2008, police received a report of a 15-year-old runaway from Montana. The police learned that the girl was being offered as a prostitute on Craigslist, and an undercover police officer made a “date” to meet her. The officer met her in a Sacramento motel room, confirmed that she was in fact the 15-year-old runaway, and took her into custody. The girl told police that she had run away from her home in Montana at West’s urging when she began talking to him online. West paid for a bus ticket for the girl to come to Sacramento from Montana, and she arrived on December 25, 2007. West met her at the bus station and took her to a female friend’s apartment where he had the woman post an ad on the online service RedBook offering the girl as a prostitute. The girl prostituted for West out of a Sacramento motel for two days.
Broadway St. San Francisco, CA, United States
Strip clubs along Broadway are owned by organized crime and corruption runs rampant. Traffickers are owners and managers who employ underaged girls, encourage prostitution in private rooms and steal money as well as soliciting sex from the girls. Girls pay a fee to work in the clubs and often times managers will coerce young women into favors to pay for these astronomical fees.
Queens, NY, United States
Cui has in recent months posted job advertisements in Korean-language newspapers seeking nail salon attendants. But once the women responded, Cui threatened them, Spota said, at times saying that she would have them or their families killed by Chinese gangsters. Cui also threatened to abandon them penniless on Long Island or tell their families they were prostitutes if they refused to cooperate, Suffolk DA Spota said. As many as eight women, all in their 30s and 40s, serviced dozens of clients a day at a Huntington Station nail salon and an unnamed "spa" near the Hicksville train station. The women performed a variety of sexual services for as little as $60, officials said. Cui got the money, officials said, and the women kept tips. One Craigslist ad earlier this month promised erotic services. Raids at the businesses and Cui’s home, an 8,000-square-foot, Tudor-style house in Flushing, found $20,000 in cash, lingerie, shower massage tables, cases of condoms, baby oil and rubbing alcohol. "There was not a single bottle of nail polish found," said Suffolk police Detective John Rodriguez, who assisted in the investigation. Rodriguez said many of the women — only some of whom have agreed to cooperate in the case — did not speak English and were new to the country. "If you’re from a small village, you don’t know the language, it can be easy to intimidate someone like that," he said. All information found from the following sources: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Queens-Woman-Charged-With-Sex-Trafficking-97407769.html http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/06/29/2010-06-29_queens_madam_forced_young_korean_women_into_lives_of_sex_slavery_in_li_massage_p.html http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/northeast/view.bg?articleid=1264866 http://www.newser.com/story/94221/ny-madam-forced-korean-women-into-sex-slavery.html http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2010/07/have-you-become-a-hooker-today/
Walmart, Salinas, CA, United States
Fousek allegedly approached two women outside Walmart and asked if they'd like to purchase his 6 month old daughter for $25.00. The two woman took the license place number and reported him to the police.
Bartlett, Tennessee, United States
Yes. Police were called on May 11th 2010. A report was filed. Pictures were taken. MPD does not want to support it's victims.
Everett, Washington, United States
Marquin Thompson pleaded guilty in January to forcing a then 19-year-old woman into prostitution after the woman had become estranged from her family, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office media release. She has since been reunited with her family. U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour imposed the sentence. Thompson also took the woman to Arizona and California where he forced her to work as a prostitute. According to records filed in the case, between September 2007 and January 2008, Thompson forced the woman to work for him as a prostitute along Pacific Highway South. He controlled the woman with threats of violence. She was expected to make hundreds of dollars each day and required to turn over all of her earnings to Thompson.
Greystone Cabot,AR, United States
A man who worked for Janus, a company that works on military basaes, was arrested for running a prositituion ring out of his home in the Greystone country club community.According to a sheriff’s press release, complaints of high traffic volume at 105 Ridgecrest Square led to a search warrant for the residence and the subsequent arrest of three people May 12. jerry would go to Vietnam marry women and bring them back to U.S. and divorce tham and pimp them out of his home.
Laurel, MD, United States
A 42-year-old Glen Burnie man is jailed in Anne Arundel County on charges he trafficked and prostituted a minor after a federal and state task force on human trafficking on Monday removed a 12-year-old girl from the suspect's motel room on Route 198 in Laurel. Derwin Samuel Smith, 42, of McGuirk Drive, was accused of transporting the girl between the District and Atlantic City, where she worked for him as a prostitute, according to accounts she gave police. The girl was reported missing from the District on May 25 and was believed to have been involved in prostitution, Anne Arundel police said. She later told police she met the suspect in the District after he picked her up and paid her for sex.
Seattle, United States
According to an article in The Seattle Times, on Thursday, April 1, 2010: "A Renton man [Deandre Gant, 21] accused of ordering a juvenile runaway to work as a prostitute has been charged with commercial sexual abuse of a minor." The article also explains that "Gant told a 15-year-old Issaquah girl that she had to perform sex acts so 'they' could have some money. The girl told police she has known Gant for about three years and had moved in with him after running away from home." The Seattle police investigating this incident reported that they had "found text messages from Gant on her cellphone, ordering her to keep working."
Bellevue and Seattle areas, United States
From an article in the Seattle Times on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 titled, "Arrest made in prostitution, child-pornography case." The trafficker, Alexander Dalgardno,a 20-year old man from Mukilteo and "convicted child rapist" has been arrested for "allegedly forcing a young woman into prostitution and possessing nude photos of her and a teenage girl." With the assistance of a 16-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy, the woman was lured through a "social networking site" and was offered a job in "hospitality work." According to the article, after meeting them, they "drove her to Bellevue Square, where they bought her $500 worth of clothes and lingerie. Later, in a hotel room they told her she'd be in the 'escort business'...The young woman wanted to leave but...'They threatened to harm her family and threatened to break her fingers if she did not comply,' a Bellevue detective said." This article also explains that Delgardno raped the woman, and "advertised her as an adult escort on a website and hosted those who replied at the Bellevue hotels...[and]three men had sex with the 18-year-old during three nights in early March, according to the police."
Colorado Springs, United States
Mentor tried to enter the club "undercover" as a "client" but the owner of the club would not let her in to see the girl, because she knew she was her mentor.
Arabi, Louisiana, United States
In April 2008, a NOLA vice unit was driving around in an unmarked car when Ricky Womack and an "unidentified white female" were seen flagging down cars. They stopped and he offered the girl as a prostitute to the plain-clothed cops for $100. Womack only allowed sexual liaisons to occur in his motel room so that he could protect the girl. The police officers found a "contract" handwritten by the girl in the motel room: 'I do solemnly swear to give Ricky Womack the next five years of my life. I promise never to cheat, lie, or betray him.' The detectives learned the girl was a teenage runaway from Arkansas whom Womack had lured to New Orleans.
Lansing, Illinois, United States
The investigation began Friday when sheriff’s detectives responded to an ad on Backpage, a website similar to Craigslist for selling merchandise and seeking services. The ad promised sex for cash and provided a picture of a girl, police said. Through e-mails, the officers arranged to meet the girl at the Howard Johnson Hotel at 17301 S. Oak Ave. in Lansing. When the undercover officers arrived, they found Tyrelle Lockett standing in front of the hotel with the girl, police said. When the officer went into the designated hotel room and met the girl, there were obvious and visible signs she had been a victim of repeated acts of violence, Patterson said. After an agreement was reached to exchange sex for cash, the officer took the girl into custody. Nearby officers arrested Tyrelle Lockett, who was found in possession of nearly all of the girl’s personal items," Patterson said. Investigators learned he refused to allow her access any of her things unless she performed the acts he demanded, Patterson said.
Hobo Pantry # 2 616 North Oates St. Dothan, AL 36303, United States
4-29-2010 Red Van with black tinted windows. License Plate BKV-3507 Fulton, Georgia Two Tall mid-aged white males paid for gas at the Hobo Pantry (Chevron)on 616 N.Oates Street Dothan, AL 36303. They told me they had Chinese people in the van. It was a very suspicious vibe so I walk outside to sweep the parking lot. Another customer (a middle-aged black man) told the two white men to talk to me. They replied, "Oh no, and they left abruptly." What happened was, after they paid for they're gas and cigarettes, they had 3 young asian girls hop out the van, then one of the older white men, told two of them to get back in, while the other older white man paid the customer (the black man) 20$ to let the asian girl see how southern black men talk. He also asked the customer (the black man) if he knew any one willing to spend alot of money. I called the police and gave them the information I had written down. I'm pretty sure this same crew has been spotted at Bullets Speakeasy 176 S.Foster Street Dothan, AL 36303 after talking with the bartender last night.
Citrus Heights, CA, United States
STEPHEN MCKESSON, 24, of Citrus Heights, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. to 235 months in prison and restitution of $20,000 for sex trafficking of children by force, fraud, or coercion. MCKESSON pleaded guilty on May 19, 2009. MCKESSON pleaded guilty to transporting the victim, a 16-year-old Sacramento female, from Sacramento to Redwood City for the purpose of prostitution. The defendant had met this victim when she was 13 and he was approximately 16 years of age. When she was no older than 14, the defendant convinced the victim to work as a prostitute by telling her that if she loved him, she would prostitute for him. The victim worked as a prostitute for the defendant off and on for parts of the next five years, giving him all of the money that she earned through prostitution. The victim would travel to other cities in California and go door-to-door in certain apartment buildings while working for MCKESSON. On many occasions, the victim had run away from home, and each time that she was contacted by law enforcement and taken into custody, MCKESSON would convince her to leave her foster home to return to prostitution. MCKESSON used force to manipulate the victim into working for him as a prostitute. The violence began with relatively minor physical contact. Over time, his level of violence toward his victim increased, progressing to kicking and beating her in the head. The victim continued to work for him until 2008 at which time the violence had progressed to forcible sodomy and rape. The victim stated that she continued to work for him because he threatened to take her two children.
Jamaica, New York, United States
Source: Queens DA Press Release 4/15/10... http://www.queensda.org/newpressreleases/2010/april/gaston_campbell_4_14_2010.pdf The District Attorney identified the defendant as Woodley Gaston, 24, of 118-08 Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. Gaston was arraigned today before Queens County Supreme Court Justice Richard L. Buchter on an indictment charging him with sex trafficking, second- and third-degree promoting prostitution and second-degree assault. He is presently awaiting trial on another indictment charging him with sex trafficking, second- and third-degree promoting prostitution, third- degree rape, and endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison on each indictment. He was ordered held without bail. The District Attorney further stated that a second man, Archie Campbell, 23, of 128-03 North Conduit, in Queens, has been charged in the same indictment with third-degree promoting prostitution for allegedly acting as a pimp for the same victim during a three month period between September and December 2007. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted. He was also arraigned before Queens Supreme Court Justice Richard L. Buchter and ordered held without bail.
Hudson CO, United States
Moises and Maria Rodriguez, were agricultural contractors who brought illegal immigrants to America and forced them to live as virtual prisoners as they worked off their debts. In this case there were 5 men who were contracted out to a local organic farm. The men were held in debt bondage - Rodriguez contended that each man owed him money for smuggling them into the U.S. - he put the price somewhere between $1,100 and $1,300. He charged them $100 a month for rent, $96 a month for a transportation fee, and money for bathroom cleaning - even though most of the toilets didn't work and the one that did was filthy. He charged them Social Security taxes but didn't turn that money over to the federal government. In addition they lived in fear of retribution should they flee and their housing was awful.
Paso Robles, CA, United States
FBI intervened and arrested the traffickers. http://www.keyt.com/news/local/89520292.html http://www.kionrightnow.com/global/story.asp?s=12227258 http://920kvec.com/FBI-Arrests-Paso-Robles-Couple-Suspected-Of-Human-/6700143
Craig, CO 81625-1214, United States
Louis Peroulis, Stanley Peroulis and Crisologo Damian. The Peroulis' own the farm where the sheepherders were held. Damian is the recruiter. They recruit sheepherders from Peru under a legal governmental agency but then charge exorbitant fees for the travel and keep the workers in terrible conditions without access to their travel documents.
Atlanta, GA, United States
The following news story from the AJC provides the story, Atlanta News 4:10 p.m. Thursday, March Man arrested on sex trafficking charges By Kristi E. Swartz The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Federal agents have arrested a 25-year-old Louisiana man accused of taking minors from Atlanta to Birmingham for prostitution. More Atlanta/Fulton news » * Rainy Sunday on the way * Civil rights icon in hospital * Murder-suicide possible cause of deaths of former state Sen. Schaefer and husband * Four indicted on tuition reimbursement scheme * Atlanta/South Fulton * North Fulton Dmarcus Antwain Ward, 25, of Minden, La., was indicted on charges of sex trafficking of minors and transporting them for the purposes of prostitution, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. Ward was indicted last week before a federal grand jury in Atlanta. Ward is accused of taking two minors to Birmingham and back to Atlanta – between Sept. 2009 and Nov. 7, 2009 – to have them engage in prostitution in both cities, according to U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “We are committed to aggressively prosecuting anyone who exploits children through sex trafficking,” Yates said Thursday. The sex trafficking charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. The transportation charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Each count also carries a fine of up to $250,000. The FBI has formed the Metro Atlanta Child Exploitation Task Force in efforts to stop human trafficking in the area.
Rockford, Minnesota, United States
After paid sexual encounters in eight states, the woman sought help by calling a national anti-sex trafficking hot line. This led to the arrest of her husband who regularly posted ads promoting her for sex, arranged for her encounters with those who responded to the ads, and demanded that all money she received by immediately deposited into his bank acocunt. Illegally married at a young age, the man threatened that he would take her child away from her forever if she failed to comply.
Lehigh Acres, Florida, United States
"Human trafficking or slavery - it doesn't get more serious because the people who bring the slaves over know exactly what slaves are getting into. This is a high priority of our office, the Unites States, the Department of Justice and the FBI," said Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Molloy. Domingo will be back in court next week for a bond hearing and officials we spoke to say more charges may be filed. Reported by Stacey Deffenbaugh stacey.deffenbaugh@abc-7.com
Fayetteville, AR, United States
a company placed a ad on cragi's list for young men and women to travel and sell magazines door to door. Tow victims answered the ad and got the job and after which they became victims of trafficking.
California, United States
The defendant forced Filipino victims to work in her elderly care business and confiscated their passports, threatening them if they left
San Antonio, Texas, United States
The victim escaped from Campbell's home and told her story to investigators. More information is available on her escape and the case on: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Former_Spur_charged_in_sex_trafficking_case.html Below is the text of the article: http://media.mysanantonio.com/images/MarqueCallaway.jpg Courtesy photo Marques A. Callaway http://media.mysanantonio.com/images/JackZimmerle.jpg Courtesy photo Jack August Zimmerle Yahoo! Buzz RSS | EMAIL | PRINT | SAVE Recommend recommend 3 By Guillermo Contreras - Express-News Authorities have busted up a sex-trafficking ring accused of forcing a 14-year-old girl to have sex with men throughout San Antonio and Corpus Christi. Linked to the ring is former Spurs guard and four-time NBA All-Star Alvin Robertson. Seven people allegedly are tied to the ring, including an R&B performer and a man charged with bribing an official at Kelly USA, a business park at the former air base. Of the seven, Robertson — who played for the Spurs from 1984 to 1989 and was a one-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year — was the last to be arrested Friday, said Deputy Ino Badillo, a spokesman for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. Robertson was arrested shortly after 4 p.m. in Bentonville, Ark., where he was to attend a basketball shooting clinic this weekend that featured him and former NBA player Ricky Pierce. Lt. Jon Simpson of the Bentonville Police Department told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that Robertson appeared shocked when arrested. The girl, who's now back with her parents in San Antonio, was kidnapped in March 2009 and forced into prostitution after running away from home, officials said. She also was taken to Corpus Christi, where her captor allegedly forced her to dance at a topless club that now faces sanctions by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The girl escaped March 30, 2009, from Leslie Roy Campbell, 49, and reported him to Corpus Christi police, opening an investigation here that lasted three months and culminated in Friday's arrests by the Bexar County Human Trafficking Task Force, Badillo said. The task force works with agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which investigates human trafficking of or by foreigners in the U.S., said Jerry Robinette, special agent in charge of ICE in San Antonio. Investigators found no unauthorized immigrants were involved, and the crimes appear to have occurred within Texas, resulting in state charges rather than federal. Robertson is charged with trafficking of persons under 18 for prostitution, sexual assault of a child and sexual performance of a child, all felonies. Badillo said Robertson is believed to have had sex with the girl, but also described Robertson as a “facilitator,” which means involved in forcing the girl into prostitution. Three alleged “johns” were charged in the case with sexual assault of a child: Murtuza K. Bhavnagerwala, 36, Behzad Mehrinfar, 25, and Jack A. Zimmerle, 40. Robertson's girlfriend, Racquel McIntosh, 41, was charged with sexual performance of a child and trafficking of persons under 18 for prostitution. Campbell was charged with sexual performance of a child, trafficking, sexual assault of a child and aggravated kidnapping. Marques A. Callaway, 35, who performs “Southern R&B,” was charged with aggravated kidnapping. Zimmerle, Callaway and Mehrinfar were released Friday after posting $75,000 bail each. The others remained jailed Friday night, including Campbell, who's serving time in a Beeville prison on sexual assault of a child charges. Last year, the San Antonio Express-News reported the girl ran away from home and was kidnapped by Campbell. He pleaded guilty to sexual assault earlier this month in Nueces County, officials said. The girl escaped from Campbell's Corpus Christi home while he was in the shower, flagged down a passing patrol car and reported that she'd been kidnapped and sexually assaulted for a week. She also told investigators Campbell gave her a fake ID and forced her to strip at Club Cheetah there. Badillo said the task force then began investigating Robertson and the other suspects after the girl complained she was taken throughout Bexar County to have sex in exchange for money. The strip club later sued the girl, her parents, Campbell and Corpus Christi police, claiming the business was “flimflammed” and its operators question the girl's sequence of events that brought her to the club. Before his arrest Friday, Zimmerle was facing trial in March on a charge of paying kickbacks to then-Kelly USA real estate manager Ray Crosby for favorable treatment on bids submitted by Enviro-Tech, a company Zimmerle helped operate. Crosby pleaded guilty and is to testify against Zimmerle as part of his deal, First Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg said. Zimmerle maintains his innocence in both cases, said his lawyer, Jay Norton. “I imagine (the new case) is going to delay the trial,” Norton said.
Atlanta, GA, United States
The sex trafficking charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. The transportation charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Each count also carries a fine of up to $250,000.
Germantown, Maryland, United States
In 2006, Montgomery County Police identified the crime of human trafficking as an emerging issue of concern in the county. Vice and Intelligence officers in the Special Investigations Division took special training to focus on combating this crime, and have been in the forefront of investigating these crimes. In February there were three incidents where individuals who have committed crimes of human trafficking in Montgomery County, and in one incident throughout the Washington Metropolitan area, were arrested by Montgomery County Vice officers. On February 16, 2010, Rodney Hubert, age 34, of the 400 block of Vanderbilt Avenue in New York, was arrested and charged with the human trafficking of a juvenile for prostitution. This long-term investigation revealed that Rodney Hubert employed numerous individuals at his internet website design company in New York City who assisted in transporting a 15-year-old female from New York to Montgomery County, for the purpose of prostitution. The victim was recruited by the organization with the promise that she would travel to Maryland for a modeling photo shoot. Once in Maryland, the organization advertised the juvenile on Craigslist for prostitution. Also arrested were Christy Elmes, age 23, of the 3800 block of Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, New York; and Katherine Mateo, age 19, from the 200 block of Bethel Park Boulevard in the Bronx, New York. Also arrested in Georgia was Tomika Powell, age 21, of the 300 block of Geary Drive in Montgomery, Alabama; who was also wanted by the U.S. Army for desertion. All were charged with human trafficking, sexual abuse of a minor, and second-degree child abuse. On February 24, 2010, Deangelo A. Bynum, age 24, of the1000 block of 16th Street in northeast Washington, D.C., was arrested and charged for solicitation of a minor for prostitution. He attempted to recruit a 16-year-old female to work for him as an escort/prostitute. Bynum attempted to recruit the victim who he found on Facebook, through multiple telephone, e-mail, and text messages. Bynum insisted on photographs and a “finder fee” from the girl in order to work for him because she was considered “high risk” because of her age. Bynum was arrested after he traveled to Gaithersburg to meet the girl and collect his fee. On February 26, 2010, Arash Koraganie Ghulam Abbas, age 31, of the 17800 block of Cormorant Lane in Germantown,was arrested and charged with multiple counts of human trafficking. Abbas operated an internet escort service that was a front for prostitution and human trafficking. This organized crime business employed many women, recruited from internet social websites, and used extortion to force compliance. The business operated throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. It generated thousands of dollars of tax- free income a week. This long-term investigation which began in October of 2009, also identified and arrested several individuals associated with the organization. Montgomery County Police received assistance in this investigation from Arlington County and Fairfax County Police. The sexual solicitation of a minor for prostitution and the human trafficking of a minor for the purposes for prostitution are felonies in the state of Maryland and also violate federal laws. The public is reminded that prostitution is a crime and the human trafficking of a minor for prostitution (anyone under 18 years) has even more serious criminal ramifications. In some cases, even if a suspect claims that he did not knowingly engage a minor in prostitution, simply the fact that the victim is under 18 years of age is all that is necessary to be prosecuted for human trafficking. The Maryland State Legislature is currently considering bills that would increase the penalties for human traffickers and seize the assets of organizations that engage in this illegal activity.
Moreno Valley, California, United States
Current investigation of human trafficking ring
Chicago, IL, United States
A Lake in the Hills man is facing charges of bringing a 14-year-old girl to the northern suburb from Kansas and using her as a prostitute. Donald R. Jones, 52, was arrested last week on a warrant from Sedgwick County, Kan., alleging aggravated trafficking, a police report said.
Victory Gardens, New Jersey, United States
Trafficker(s)receieve women from NYC and drives them to NJ strip club.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Sabil Mumin Mujahid, Sidney Lamar Greene, Rand Hooks, and Keyana "Koko" Marshall were indicted for their roles in the Anchorage, Alaska trafficking ring. At least three of the victims were minors.
Denver, Colorado, United States
Law enforcement has been informed and has arrested the mother. Children have been taken out of the situation.
New Jersey, United States
Afolabi was arrested in 2007 after a victim told her story to ICE agents. The news article detailing the story is below: http://www.usafricaonline.com/afolabi-trafficking-girls-togo-ghana/ Ms Afolabi convicted in New Jersey for trafficking girls from Togo, Ghana Posted by admin on Oct 24th, 2009 and filed under INSIGHTS, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry New Jersey-based woman convicted for trafficking girls from Togo, Ghana; her lawyer says jury misunderstood culture while prosecutor says it’s violent abuse of teens…. Special to USAfrica The Newspaper, Houston, USAfricaonline.com and CLASS magazine and The Black Business Journal After deliberating less than five hours, a federal jury has convicted a West African woman of running a human-trafficking operation that smuggled girls from Togo and Ghana and forced them to work without pay at hair-braiding salons in New Jersey. Akouavi Kpade Afolabi silently wept and bowed her head as the jury foreman announced she was guilty of all 22 counts, including conspiracy to commit forced labor, smuggle illegal aliens and visa fraud. The once-prosperous jewelry and textile merchant recruited more than 20 girls and young women from impoverished African villages with the promise of a better life in America, authorities said. But once the women arrived, Afolabi forced them to braid hair for up to 14 hours a day at salons in Newark and East Orange in a case investigators equated to modern-day slavery. “The evidence presented at trial revealed that these young women — some as young as 10-years old — endured unconscionable indignities,” U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said. “The defendant ruled over her victims with threats, violence, even voodoo curses.” The trial underscored the pervasive problem of human trafficking in New Jersey, where crowded highways, ports and large immigrant communities make it easy to ship and conceal victims, authorities said. During four weeks of testimony, several victims told jurors how Afolabi confiscated their passports, beat them and used a voodoo ritual to frighten them into believing they would go insane if they escaped. They were barred from attending school, learning English, making friends or dating. Several were sexually assaulted by Afolabi’s ex-husband and her son, who have both pleaded guilty. “Why didn’t you run away?” Shana W. Chen, an assistant U.S. attorney, asked one of the victims. “I didn’t know anyone to run to,” said the witness, Sroda Xedagbui, now 18. Afolabi’s lawyer, Olubukola O. Adetula, argued the charges stemmed from prosecutors’ ignorance of West African culture. In essence, he said, Afolabi ran an apprenticeship program, plucking the girls from poverty and teaching them a trade so they could find prosperity in America. She treated the girls, who ranged in age from 10 to 19, as if they were her daughters and imposed the same strict rules found in most Togolese homes, he said. “I don’t think the jury quite got it,” Adetula said. “A lot of what took place was cultural … But I respect the jury’s decision.” Afolabi faces up to 20 years in prison for several of the charges, but prosecutors could argue for more time. U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares scheduled her sentencing for Jan. 21. Her lawyer said he planned to appeal. Afolabi grew up poor in Togo but found success amid the teeming markets of Lomé, the nation’s capitol. She built two compound-like homes in the coastal city’s sprawling neighborhoods, where she ran a virtual “visa-fraud school,” coaching girls to trick embassy officials into believing they were spouses or children of people who won visas through a lottery program, said Nancy Hoppock, deputy criminal chief for the U.S. attorney’s office. Afolabi sat silently through most of the trial, listening to translators repeat testimony in her native language, Ewe. She raised her voice only once, screaming at her ex-husband, Lassissi Afolabi, when he admitted on the witness stand to forcing two of the women to have sex with him. Afolabi began smuggling girls into New Jersey as early as 2002, authorities said. She has been in custody since being arrested in 2007, when a victim told her story to agents for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. “ICE aggressively targets criminals who exploit or victimize vulnerable individuals who are looking for a better life in the United States,” said Peter T. Edge, head of ICE’s office of investigations in Newark. During brief interviews today, jurors said the quick verdict stemmed from the victims’ convincing testimony. Adetula’s cultural argument simply didn’t stack up, they said. “There is no real cultural misunderstanding about forcing someone to work and not paying them,” said one juror, who declined to give his name. ref: New Jersey Real-Time News ——
Opelousas Lousiana, United States
OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) - Chief Deputy Hilman Popillion said that Ronada Fritz allegedly offered her 13-year-old daughter to 51-year-old Percy "Buddy" Stoute as a prostitute for $40. Note: Anyone under 18 used for commercial sex is legally considered a severe victim of human trafficking.
Bentonville, AR, United States
Officials said Robertson was part of a ring that kidnapped a 14-year-old teen from San Antonio, forced her to have sex with clients and dance at a Texas strip club last year.
Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
Police sent undercover officers into the spa as clients. According to the report, the officers were offered sexual acts if they paid. Police also found advertisements for the business online, although it wasn't clear that the advertisements were for sexual acts. Arrested were Min Ye, 37, and Wendy Yao, no age given. No charges have been filed.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
DOJ Press Release - Feb 3, 2010 ================= Citizen of Mexico Sentenced for Role in Federal Sex Trafficking Conspiracy . http://atlanta.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel10/at020310.htm . ATLANTA, GA MIGUEL RUGERIO, 28, a Mexican national, lured young women from Mexico with the promise of money and legitimate jobs and then forced them into prostitution and repulsive living conditions. . According to Acting United States Attorney Yates, the indictment, and information presented in court: RUGERIO admitted in his plea that from July 2006 to August 2008, he conspired with others to use force, fraud and coercion to cause approximately five female victims to come to the Atlanta area from Mexico and to engage in prostitution for the financial benefit of the members of the alleged conspiracy. . RUGERIO further admitted to transporting a victim to states outside of Georgia, including Alabama and Florida to engage her in prostitution. RUGERIO used false promises of better lives and marriage to lure young, impoverished Mexican women to come to the United States, knowing that he would cause the victims to engage in prostitution upon their arrival. RUGERIO required his victims to engage in commercial sex with many men per night, seven days a week.
Wilson, North Carolina, United States
Police acted on tips of about a prostitution ring, "deputies raided a house on U.S. Highway 301 and found one woman. Information from that raid led them to arrest Chavez at his residence at 2101 Fair Place in Wilson. Two women were found at Chavez's residence, but investigators believe that three or four women lived there, Gay said." http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/6977322/
University Court area of Tony Sudekum Public Housing, United States
A woman picked up as part of a Metro police internet prostitution sting claims a south Nashville man coerced her into prostituting herself. The 22 year old victim told police that she met Donnell Minor, 34,in the University Court area of the Tony Sudekum public housing development. She said that the suspect paid the victim's sister $150 to watch her two children and promised to take her to Miami. Instead of Miami, the suspect allegedly took her to a Harding Place motel, told her that she now worked for him, and that he intended to advertise her services on the Internet, according to police. Police said the victim told them she went along due to threats and the fact that Minor knew where she lived.
Arlington, Texas, United States
From DOJ Press Release - Feb 2, 2010 ====================== Arlington, Texas, Couple Convicted of Forced Labor and Other Crimes for Holding Nigerian Woman in Domestic Servitude . http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/February/10-crt-118.html . A federal jury has convicted an Arlington, Texas, husband and wife, Emmanuel and Ngozi Nnaji, of engaging in a nine-year scheme to compel the labor of a Nigerian victim as their domestic servant, the Justice Department announced. . According to the evidence at trial, Emmanuel Nnaji and Ngozi Nnaji enticed a widowed Nigerian mother of six to come to the United States to be their domestic servant by falsely promising a salary and support for her children, who she was struggling to support. . The defendants procured fraudulent immigration documents, confiscated the victim's documents, harbored her in their home, compelled her to work long hours with no days off for little or no pay, used a scheme to isolate her and restrict her communications, withheld her documents and pay, and refused her requests to return home or be paid. The defendants also failed to provide support for the victim's six children in Nigeria, limited and monitored contact with her family in Nigeria, isolated her from normal society in the United States, and refused to allow her to regularly attend church. According to the evidence at trial, Emmanuel Nnaji sexually assaulted the victim and made her fearful to call the police.
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Randy Chanhmany faces up to five years in federal prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges against Chanhmany and his co-defendant, Damari Dehan Dontre Anderson, 27, stem from a plan the two men implemented from July through October 2008. The men took photos of two women, published them on the Web site Craigslist and then "drove the girls to various hotels in Utah, so they could engage in commercial sex acts," the plea agreement states. Both men admitted that they also received at least a portion of the proceeds the women made while performing said sex acts.
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Jane W. Duke, and Thomas J. Browne, Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced today that Everett Cooney was sentenced by United States Chief Judge J. Leon Holmes to 90 months' imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release on a federal charge of sex trafficking an underage female. . Cooney’s co-defendant, Tommy Handy, plead guilty to a charge of sex trafficking on October 23, 2009. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the pending indictment was dismissed. Handy’s plea exposes him to a minimum of 10 years' and up to life imprisonment. He is awaiting sentencing by the court. Handy remains in custody pending his sentencing.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Jinfu F. Jin, 44, of Algonquin, is accused of offering to perform a sex act for the officer who was in the business as part of an investigation into ongoing complaints about it from its neighbors and others. Police also are questioning a second woman working at the parlor, but she was not been charged at this time. A patron inside the business when police made the arrest was not charged because there was not enough evidence to prove he was doing something illegal, said Master Sgt. Tim Sebastian of the North Central Narcotics Task Force.
Lane County, Oregan, United States
Prosecutors believe the three “were involved in a conspiracy to recruit, entice, and provide minor girls online to engage in sex acts for money.” An indictment alleges they rented hotel rooms so the girls could have sex for money, which was given to the defendants. The defendants are also accused of taking photographs of underage girls and posting them on online advertising services.
Austin, Texas, United States
The article: AUSTIN (KXAN) - A victim of a suspected human trafficking ring escapes, appearing at a North Austin convenience store bloody and wearing very little clothing. One man, 44-year-old Santiago Ramirez Cruz, is charged with unlawful restraint expose to serious bodily injury and immigration and naturalization service detainer, both felony charges. Austin police say the victim escaped through the window of the Mi Casa apartment complex at 7200 Duval Street. The victim stopped for help a couple of blocks away at the Haven Food Mart at 614 East St. Johns Avenue. The victim had injuries to the hands from breaking the glass during the escape. The family allegedly paid the suspected smugglers $2,100 to bring the victim into the country.
Memphis, TN, United States
The investigation, a collaboration with FBI agents and ICE agents resulted in the conviction of 11 defendants involved with the Memphis sex trafficking ring. Article link and text below: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2008/February/08_crt_158.html FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2008 WWW.USDOJ.GOV CRT Three Memphis, Tennessee Men Sentenced for Role in Sex Trafficking Ring WASHINGTON � The Department of Justice announced today that three men from Memphis, Tenn., were sentenced yesterday for their roles in a Memphis sex trafficking ring. Raul Santillan-Leon, Fernando Cortes-Santillan and Cristobal Flores-Angeles all admitted to working at Memphis brothels, and Santillan-Leon and Cortes-Santillan admitted to working at brothels where an underage girl engaged in prostitution. Santillan-Leon pleaded guilty on Jan. 11, 2007, to one count of child sex trafficking and was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment and 10 years supervised release. Cortes-Santillan pleaded guilty on Jan.10, 2007, to one count of child sex trafficking and received a sentence of 41 months imprisonment and 10 years supervised release. Flores-Angeles pleaded guilty on Jan. 4, 2007, to one count of enticing a person to cross state lines to engage in prostitution and one count of money laundering and was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment and three years supervised release. Two additional defendants, Juan Mendez and Cristina Andres Perfecto, both of Nashville, Tenn., have pleaded guilty to two counts of commercial sex trafficking related to their roles in the sex trafficking ring. Perfecto admitted that she recruited two Mexican girls on behalf of Juan Mendez to come to the United States under fraudulent pretenses, knowing that the girls would be coerced into engaging in commercial sex acts and knowing that the victims were younger than 18 years of age. Mendez admitted that he dispatched Perfecto to Mexico to recruit girls under the age of 18 for the purpose of prostitution. Mendez and Perfecto face a maximum sentence of life in prison for their crimes. �The victims in this case were thrust into the brutal and demeaning world of sex trafficking, where they were fed lies, and turned into prostitutes,� said Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. �The Justice Department is committed to the vigorous enforcement and prosecution of human trafficking offenses.� �Human trafficking deprives women and children of their dignity and self-esteem,� said U.S. Attorney David Kustoff. �These matters will continue to be aggressively investigated and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney�s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.� Six other defendants in the same case pleaded guilty last year to crimes including enticing an individual to travel in interstate commerce to commit prostitution and failure to file a factual statement about an alien. Human trafficking prosecutions such as this one are a top priority of the Department of Justice.� In the last seven fiscal years, the Civil Rights Division, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorneys� Offices, has increased by nearly seven-fold the number of human trafficking cases filed in court as compared to the previous seven fiscal years. �In FY 2007, the Department obtained a record number of convictions in human trafficking prosecutions. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Parker of the U.S. Attorney�s Office for the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Jonathan Skrmetti from the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted by ICE and the FBI with assistance from the Memphis Police Department. Catholic Charities, the YWCA, World Relief, and the Salvation Army assisted the victims and witnesses in this matter. ### 08-158
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Jeffries was arrested on counts of sexual conduct with a minor and 5 other prostitution-related charges.
Arkansas, United States
The perpetrator plead guilty to one count of sex trafficking. His co-defendant, name unknown plead guilty to involvement with sex trafficking on October 23, 2009.
Boulder CO, United States
Opas Sinprasong, was a citizen of Thailand and has been in the United States on a "non-immigrant principal investor" status since at least 1994. He was the owner of several Asian restaurants in Boulder, Louisville and Broomfield. He held Thai immigrants as slaves and forced them to work 32+ hours of overtime for no compensation. He held the immigrants through the use of bonded labor, by requiring them to pay-off exorbitant fees for bringing them into the country.
Hawaii, United States
News story below: http://www.khon2.com/mostpopular/story/Owners-of-Aloun-Farm-Indicted-on-Human/F0B-S_6AlU6b95Op_qDHBg.cspx * o Developing Stories o Earthquake in Haiti o First Video o Hawaii News o Wake Up 2day o National News o World Report o Business News o Government News o Education News o Health News o Entertainment News o Action Line o Product Recalls o News Tips o Slideshows o Most Popular o Odd News Side Navigation * News o 2010 Winter Olympics NEW! o Developing Stories o Earthquake in Haiti o Hawaii News o Wake Up 2day o World Report * KHON2 Alerts o Mobile Local News o SMS Alerts o Weather Alerts o Email Alerts * Marketplace o Contests o Find a Job o Lifestyle Guides o Travel Deals * Features o Akamai Living o Be Green 2 o Elderhood Project o In Sickness & In Health o Lokahi Project * Only on KHON2 o Action Line o Dollars and Sense o Hawaii's Most Wanted o Hawaii's Kitchen o Love Your Pet o Navy News o Ron's Resolution NEW! o Supergeeks * Community o Community Calendar o KHON2 on Facebook o KHON2 on Twitter o Site Comments o User Content * Games o Jeopardy! o Mahjong o Fruity Flip Flop o Thunder Alley o Connect Four * Programming o FOX on Demand o CW o Wheel Of Fortune o Oprah o Dr. Phil o Regis and Kelly * Inside KHON2 o News Tips o Talent Profiles o Employment o Order a News Story o Advertise on KHON2 o Contact KHON2 o KHON2 on KSSK o FCC Compliance Owners of Aloun Farm Indicted on Human Trafficking Charges Last Update: 8/28/2009 12:19 pm Print Story | ShareThis Set Text Size Small Set Text Size Medium Set Text Size Large Set Text Size X-Large The Justice Department announced the indictment of three men charged in human trafficking conspiracy for exploiting Thai farm workers in Hawaii. Alec Souphone Sou and Mike Mankone Sou, owners of Aloun Farm in Hawaii, and Thai labor recruiter William Khoo were charged yesterday for engaging in a conspiracy to commit forced labor and visa fraud. The charges arise from the defendants' alleged scheme to coerce the labor and services of Thai nationals brought by the defendants to Hawaii to work under the federal agricultural guest worker program. Both Sou defendants are also charged with conspiring to commit document servitude. If convicted, Alec and Mike Sou each face maximum sentences of 15 years in prison and Khoo faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. According to the indictment, Alec Sou, Mike Sou and William Khoo conspired and devised a scheme to obtain the labor of 44 Thai nationals by enticing them to come to Aloun Farm in Hawaii with false promises of lucrative jobs, and then maintaining their labor at the farm through threats of serious economic harm. They arranged for the Thai workers to pay high recruitment fees, which were financed by debts secured with the workers' family property and homes. The indictment claims significant portions of these fees went to the defendants. After arrival at Aloun Farm, the Sou defendants confiscated the Thai nationals' passports and failed to honor the employment conracts. The Sou defendants maintained the Thai nationals' labor by threatening to send them back to Thailand, where they would face serious economic harms created by the debts. The indictment charges that the defendants engaged in a visa fraud conspiracy by making false representations in documents filed to obtain employment-based visas. The case of being investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Salt lake City, UT, United States
The men took photos of two women, published them on the Web site Craigslist and then "drove the girls to various hotels in Utah, so they could engage in commercial sex acts," the plea agreement states. Both men admitted that they also received at least a portion of the proceeds the women made while performing said sex acts.
Bloomington, Minnesota, United States
Chappell (trafficker) was sentenced to 336 months in prison on one count of sex trafficking a minor. "June of 2007, the Bloomington Police Department conducted surveillance at a hotel, where they found four adult women in a room rented by Chappell. Police later learned that Chappell was prostituting both adult and juvenile females, promoting his business through computer ads on the Internet sites CraigsList and Backpage.com." -News Release
Fort smith, Arkansas, United States
The girl told police she got involved when another minor female, who said she was being prostituted by the trafficker, told her she could make up to $100 for each man she had sex with, a police report states. One teenage girl told investigators she was given gas money to drive Trotter and another underage girl to different locations where they were paid to have sex, while yet another teenage girl told police the trafficker took her to a residence one night where she was paid to have sex with five men. One teenage girl interviewed by police denied being prostituted by the trafficker, instead, her "job" was to hand out condoms to the men to "protect the girls." The trafficker admitted introducing the girls to men who paid them for sex, but denied taking any money the girls were paid for sexual acts when she was interviewed by investigators, a police report states. The girls were threatened when they tried to stop being prostituted, and the trafficker took 1/2 of all money earned.
San Francisco, United States
The trafficker (Dann) arranged for the victim (Peña Canal) to travel from her native Peru to the United States in 2006 (initial contact and promises made in 2002) and enter under a fraudulently-obtained visa to serve as a nanny and housekeeper. Dann was going through a divorce at the time, was unemployed, and was not receiving child support. Once Peña Canal arrived, Dann kept her passport, forbade her from speaking with anyone outside the home, and failed to pay her for two years, although she often promised that she would. She repeatedly threatened to send Peña Canal back to Peru; and yet when Peña Canal agreed to go home, Dann told her that she would owe her $8,000 because she had only worked off $7,000 of the $15,000 worth of “expenses” that Dann had paid on her behalf. Dann eventually asked Peña Canal to sign a false statement that she had been paid minimum wage. Dann never returned Peña Canal’s passport or Peruvian identification. A police officer testified that he went to the apartment on Peña Canal’s behalf to ask for these papers. Dann was not present but called him back later. She denied having any documents, denied knowing what he was talking about, and denied having any property that belonged to PeñaCanal. In June of 2008, ICE agents searched Dann’s apartment. They found Peña Canal’s passport, her Peruvian identification card, and checks for a bank account in her name, along with the agreement that Dann had forced her to sign about minimum wage, all buried under clothing in a drawer in Dann’s room.
St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Reed was sentenced to 180 months in prison on one count of the sex trafficking of a minor. St. Paul Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, the U.S. Attorney's office, and the FBI were all involved in the investigation and prosecution of Reed.
Aldine, Texas, United States
HTRA conducted an investigation into reports that human trafficking involving prostitution and drug dealing were occurring at La Potra Bar on the 6100 block of Airline in Houston, TX. As a result, all four Honduran nationals were arrested in Oct 2009 and charged by criminal compliant with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The fourth man from Mexico was charged with Alien Smuggling. All men plead guilty to the offense charged to them, accept the 46 year old male, who committed suicide while in federal custody pending charge for Human Trafficking. In the FBI press release, U.S. Attorney Moreno had this to say about this case: "Often, victims of human trafficking who are forced into prostitution or forced labor are also forced to endure living and working among alien smugglers and drug dealers. This case, in which five defendants were arrest for various criminal offenses, illustrates the dark world within which the human trafficking victims are forced to exist until rescued or until they can escape, but it also demonstrates our continued commitment to rescue the victims and to prosecute not only the human trafficker but other offenders as well."
Bensonhurst, New York, United States
Between April 2007 and November 2009, the defendants, who are Mexican nationals, used physical violence, threats, and intimidation to force a 17-year-old Mexican woman (the victim), to work as a prostitute in and around New York City and elsewhere. The victim was not permitted to leave the apartment where she lived with the defendants in Brooklyn except to work as a prostitute. Half of the money she earned was taken by Salazar, and the balance was kept by drivers who transported her to work locations. The violence used against the victim included Salazar punching her in the face and body and beating her with a brick and a wooden board, and Mendez cutting her with a knife.
Lebanon, MO, United States
James Noel, 44, of Springfield, Mo, and 4 other men still awaiting trial James Noel, 45, of Springfield, MO pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, which he had been federally indicted for on September 7, 2010 Noel is expected to testify in the trials of the other defendants It was advertized online that the victim could be sexually tortured during live online sessions or in person. The indictment states that Noel participated in this conspiracy as a customer who paid to sexually abuse and torture the victim. Noel paid $300 to watch the victim tortured, and to sexually abuse and torture the victim. Vulnerability- According to a plea agreement, Noel described the victim as mentally delayed for her age. He believed she lacked the ability to communicate normally and had a limited vocabulary. Noel admitted that the victim did not have any ability to offer an opinion or refuse to follow orders. The victim a 16-year old runaway who had grown up in foster care homes and who suffered from mental deficiencies was enticed into a trailer home in Dec. 2002, and the victim was promised that she would be helped to become a model or a dancer. She was given her own bedroom and provided clothes and food. She was given marijuana and ecstasy, showed images of pornography and sadomasochism activities, and was sexually abused. Noel described the crank phone and another electrical device that was used to torture the victim as “extremely painful.” Noel electrocuted the victim with the crank phone himself and sometimes two men tortured the victim with crank phones at the same time. These devices were wired inside the victim’s vaginal and anal openings and to her toes. Noel admitted that he paid $300 for a special “show” that lasted two or three hours and included these sex acts.
Stockton Blvd.,Sacramento, Ca., United States
Local police were first alerted when the second girl escaped, and then the FBI took over the investigation. Brown and Beacham were arrested and tried. Brown was sentenced on Nov. 29, 2010 to 30 years in prison, followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, as a result of his conviction at trial for charges of sex trafficking of children. Brown was also ordered to pay $5,200 in restitution. Beacham pled guilty to felony charges in April and details of her sentencing have not yet been resolved.
Florence, Alabama, United States
The trafficker was arrested, charged, tried and convicted on 09/22/2010 of sex trafficking a 15-year old girl. He was also convicted of coercing a minor to engage in prostitution, harboring an illegal alien and failing to file a report with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Florence police, the FBI and ICE investigated the case.
santa ana, ca, United States
FBI in conjunction with LAPD and San Diego Sheriff's depts, as part of the Southern California Innocence Lost Task Force, conducted an investigation leading to the suspects arrest.
St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
A 28-year-old St. Paul man, Byronte Juwann Reed (also known as Santana) pleaded guilty in federal court in St. Paul to transporting a girl from Minnesota to Illinois for the purpose of committing commercial sex acts. In his plea agreement, Reed admitted meeting the victim, who was younger than 18, in June of 2008 and recruiting her to commit sexual acts in exchange for money. From June of 2008 through July of 2008, the girl lived with Reed and others so she could participate in the commercial sex trade. In addition, Reed admitted transporting the girl from Minneapolis to Chicago, Illinois, in order for her to engage in commercial sex. Reed also admitted that physical force was used to ensure that the victim would participate in the sexual activity.
Kansas City, MO, United States
A man who ran a ring of underage prostitutes in Kansas City and Overland Park received a sentence of almost 22 years in federal prison for child sex trafficking. But even though Randal G. Jennings, 43, had pleaded guilty to the single human trafficking count last year, the Chillicothe, Mo., man came close to getting another five years added to his sentence by minimizing his role as a pimp at the sentencing hearing. Addressing the judge, Jennings said he thought the girls were college-age students. He also said he placed their ads on Craigslist and another Internet site so they could meet clients in nice hotels, not on the rough streets. He also said prosecutors had overcharged his case. Jennings’ four working prostitutes were 16 or 17 years old when he was arrested in January 2009. Prosecutors also alleged that Jennings had tried to induce a 13-year-old girl to begin working for him, but she declined. In interviews with investigators, the girls said that they paid about 20 percent of their earnings to Jennings, who often drove them to their “dates.” Jennings also took photos of the girls with his cell phone camera and posted the images with their online ads. -------------------- Primary Source: http://www.justice.gov/usao/mow/news2010/jennings.sen.htm Secondary Source: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/06/2285309/man-gets-22-year-sentence-for.html
The Bronx, New York, United States
On February 16, 2010, Rodney Hubert, age 34, of the 400 block of Vanderbilt Avenue in New York, was arrested and charged with the human trafficking of a juvenile for prostitution. This long-term investigation revealed that Rodney Hubert employed numerous individuals at his internet website design company in New York City who assisted in transporting a 15-year-old female from New York to Montgomery County, for the purpose of prostitution. The victim was recruited by the organization with the promise that she would travel to Maryland for a modeling photo shoot. Once in Maryland, the organization advertised the juvenile on Craigslist for prostitution. Also arrested were Christy Elmes, age 23, of the 3800 block of Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, New York; and Katherine Mateo, age 19, from the 200 block of Bethel Park Boulevard in the Bronx, New York. Also arrested in Georgia was Tomika Powell, age 21, of the 300 block of Geary Drive in Montgomery, Alabama; who was also wanted by the U.S. Army for desertion. All were charged with human trafficking, sexual abuse of a minor, and second-degree child abuse.
durham nc, United States
Frank Lombard, associate director of the Center for Health Policy, was arrested Wednesday in Raleigh, the FBI said. informant described in graphic detail how he allegedly observed Lombard molesting an African-American child on four occasions over an Internet video chat service called ICUii. the child was one of two adopted African-Americans in his custody. Lombard has been charged with attempting to induce someone to cross state lines to engage in sex with a child, punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Lombard allegedly used the adult Internet service to conduct his video chats. According to an affidavit in support of the arrest warrant, the Internet service indicated that Lombard's profile "stated he was interested in "perv fam fun," a reference to "incestuous child molestation." "FL" told undercover investigators that he had himself molested his child, whom he adopted as an infant, and that he had allowed others to molest his child. "FL" stated that "the abuse of the child was easier when the child was too young to talk or know what was happening, but that he had drugged the child with Benadryl during the molestation," Palchak wrote in his affidavit. Two children were taken from Lombard's home and put into protective custody by the North Carolina Department of Social Services, an FBI statement said. Michael Schoenfeld, a Duke University spokesman, told ABC News that Lombard has been placed on unpaid leave and that the university is cooperating fully with the investigation. Lombard has been employed by Duke since 1999, Schoenfeld said. Appearing today in federal court in Durham, Lombard agreed to be transferred to Washington for a later court hearing. His lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment. The Associated Press contributed to this story. via, ABC news.
Decorah, Iowa, United States
"Deputies discovered marijuana in the house and obtained a search warrant with the assistance of the Winneshiek County Attorney's office. Later the same day, Smith and Helen Inez Taylor, 29, 2322 Ranch Road, were taken into custody and charged with possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance (marijuana) and violation of the drug excise tax. As their investigation continued, deputies learned that the 17-year-old girl had been physically and sexually assaulted, leading to charges of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree sexual abuse and human trafficking being filed against Smith. Smith pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse and human trafficking charges in April. Last Tuesday, Smith was sentenced in Winneshiek County District Court to 25 years for second-degree sexual abuse, 25 years for human trafficking, five years for possession of a controlled substance and five years for violation of the drug excise tax on unlawful controlled substances. The sentences are to be served concurrently, and according to Winneshiek County Attorney Andy Van Der Maaten, Smith will serve a minimum of 17.5 years. The Winneshiek County Sheriff's Department was assisted in its investigation by the Allamakee County Sheriff's Department, the Decorah Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa Attorney General's office and Winneshiek County Attorney's office." -The Decorah Journal http://www.decorahnewspapers.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=23062&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=13&S=1
St. Charles, MO, United States
Andrew Cole, 55, admitted that he lied to workers he recruited in the Dominican Republic, telling them that their pay would be better than it turned out to be. He also acknowledged knowing that other members of the scheme would threaten those workers with deportation if they complained.Under federal statutes, Cole is subject to a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. Ilkham Fazilov, 45, a citizen of Uzbekistan residing Kansas City, Missouri pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy on Aug. 16, 2010. Fazilov was the nominee organizer of Five Star Cleaning, LLC, and Suncoast Hospitality, Inc., which were fictitious shell companies used to obtain work authorization for foreign nationals and to conceal the unlawful proceeds of the criminal enterprise. Fazilov handled the payroll for the foreign workers and executed fraudulent ETA-750 petitions, which falsely claimed an exaggerated need for workers. These workers were placed for employment outside the parameters of the petition in violation of federal law. Fazilov also opened bank accounts for these shell companies and wire transferred unlawful proceeds to facilitate enterprise activities. Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 30, a citizen of Uzbekistan, pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy on March 16, 2010. Kakhkharov acted as head of Midwest Management, Inc., a nominee entity established as part of the criminal enterprise in order to launder the illegal proceeds of the enterprise and to avoid paying taxes. Kakhkharov admitted that he was responsible for laundering a total of $634,192 in unlawful proceeds between July and December 2007. Kakhkharov also admitted that he used apartments in the Kansas City, Missouri area to house illegal aliens between July 2007 and January 2008. Alexandru Frumusache, 25, a citizen of the Republic of Moldova residing in Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty on Oct. 7, 2009, to forced labor trafficking. Between September 2008 and the end of April 2009, Frumusache aided and abetted others in a scheme to cause foreign workers (including citizens from the Phillippines, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica) to believe that they would be deported, or their H2B work visas would be cancelled, or they or their families members would be penalized with a $5,000 to $10,000 fee, if the foreign workers failed or refused to work where and when they were ordered to work.Frumusache also admitted that he aided and abetted others in subjecting the foreign workers to terrible living conditions without food, furniture, or appropriate sleeping arrangements. They assigned more foreign workers than each living space allowed and the foreign workers were subjected to sleeping on the floor or mattresses. They utilized the housing arrangement as an additional way to profit off of the foreign workers by overcharging them in rent and automatically withdrawing the fees from the foreign workers’ pay checks. Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 50, a citizen of Uzbekistan residing in Panama City, Fla., pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony. Azizkhodjaev admitted that, while he was employed at Giant Labor Solutions between June 2006 and December 2007, his employer failed to withhold payroll taxes from Azizkhodjaev's salary, thus committing evasion of corporate employment tax. Azizkhodjaev concealed this offense by neglecting to file a tax return.
Falls Church, United States
Prosecutors say Lubis threatened the women and their families with violence if they disobeyed him, and held their passports so they couldn't flee. The list of Lubis' 50 clients divulged in court filings by federal prosecutors includes a high-profile Washington attorney, multiple doctors -- among them a high-ranking doctor at a Maryland hospital -- and an engineer who invented an electric backup system for houses that use well water. No charges have been filed against the people who employed the women, and The Examiner has chosen not to release their names. But prosecutors had tough words for the wealthy area homeowners who used the slave labor. "The various employers are also participants" in Lubis' scheme, prosecutors wrote. "They knew or were willfully blind to the fact that the victims were illegal aliens and that Lubis harbored them." Lubis' actions amount to what human trafficking experts call modern-day slavery. "Traffickers take advantage of desperation," said Mark Lagon, director of the Polaris Project and former head of the State Department's human trafficking office. "They take advantage of people in such flagrant ways that it's slavery." Andrea Powell, director of Fair Fund, an advocacy group for human trafficking victims, said, "People are so desperate to come to the U.S. that they are willing to put up with all kinds of abuse, including slavery."
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Charged with multiple accounts of sex trafficking and transporting children across state lines for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. 19-year-old son Nicholas Harrison agreed to plead guilty to one charge of sex trafficking of a child and testify against his father. In return for this testimony prosecutors dropped four related charges. Nicholas faces a prison sentence of 10 years to life and a $250,000 fine. The father, Todd Carter, faces similar charges.
Glendale, Wisconsin, United States
Jermaine Rogers was charged with human trafficking, kidnapping/seizure or confinement without consent, and 2nd degree sexual assault with use of force.
Appleton, Wisconsin, United States
Thaying Lor (42), bought a 12-year-old girl for bride, and kept her in the marriage until she turned 31 years of age. The Young Hmong-American victim finally sought help after years of sexual assault and two suicide attempts. During the divorce the victim testified about being raped by her husband countless amounts of times.
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Kenny King, aka "Country Cane" hair dresser, recently moved from Alabama to Madison. He recruited an underage girl to engage in prostitution on multiple occasions in Madison, Waunakee and Sun Prairie. He has denied having any contact with the victim. Was arrested on charges of trafficking a child, 2nd degree sexual assault of a child, physical abuse of a child, and kidnapping.
San Mateo, United States
Timothy Richardson and Robert Hendricks pleaded guilty in mid August to traffickign two owmen in their 20's for commercial sex beginning in November when Hendricks met the victims in Lake Tahoe. Hendricks forced the women into acts of prostitution over the next several weeks. He then sold htem to Richardson. The women were often separated and beaten and one womans life was threatened. At some point one of them managed to reach a relative who called the Santa Clara Police.
Minneapolis, United States
15 members of the Evans family were arrested in August 1999 for running a multi-million dollar prostitution ring. It was believed that it was running for more than 17 years in more than 24 states and also in Canada. The ringleader was Levorn Evans.
Fresno, California, United States
" Officers busted a massage parlor at Fresno and Gettysburg this week, and found evidence that young immigrant women from China may have been forced to work as prostitutes at the New China Massage parlor at Fresno and Gettysburg. We've been told it was a busy place, with customers coming in every half an hour, day and night. With different groups of young Asian women providing massages, and police say prostitution. By the signs in the window it looks like a place to get a foot massage. But Fresno Police believe this place was selling sex. Numerous complaints and tips that there may be illegal activity going on, specifically prostitution," said Jeff Cardinale, Fresno Police Spokesperson."
Sandy Springs, GA, United States
Yes. The victims told police. Terry was busted through a police decoy he thought was going to be a 16 year old female. The story seen below can be found at: http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/child-predator-gets-20-460091.html Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Child predator gets 20 years for pimping girls By Alexis Stevens The Atlanta Journal-Constitution The 27-year-old man accused of pimping and raping a Sandy Springs teenage girl pleaded guilty on Tuesday. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and must register as a sex offender. Johnathan Terry, of Miami, apparently met the 14-year-old in 2008 and began having sex with her, according to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office. Terry later manipulated the girl into various acts of prostitution in Fulton and DeKalb counties, according to the prosecution. In January 2009, the victim and another 14-year-old girl ran away from school and met Terry, who then pimped them out to several men and kept the money. The girls told police about the incident in May 2009, the DA's office said. Terry was arrested on May 26, 2009, after he tried to meet a police decoy, whom Terry believed to be a 16-year-old girl. Shortly after a jury was seated Tuesday, Johnathan Terry pleaded guilty to various sex crimes, including child molestation, statutory rape, pimping, pandering, enticing a child for indecent purposes and felony reckless conduct. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Henry Newkirk sentenced Terry to 20 years in prison, according to the DA's office.
Hammond, Indiana, United States
Justin Cephus, 31, Stanton Cephus, 28, and Jovan Stewart, 30, all of Hammond, Haneef Jackson-Bey, 20, of East Chicago, and Delbert Patterson, 19, of Steger, Ill., have been charged with conspiring to commit and committing sex trafficking and prostitution violations. The indictment charges all five with participating in the conspiracy and committing one or more offenses involving the sex trafficking of minors, the transportation of minors across state lines for the purpose of prostitution, the sex trafficking of adult women through the use of force, fraud, or coercion, and the transportation of minor and adult women form Indiana to Illinois and from Illinois to Indiana for the purposes of prostitution. Prosecutors say the defendants were brutal with the prostitutes. The defendants and others who were not charged Tuesday punched, kicked, cut, choked and sexually assaulted prostitutes, according to the charges. The defendants intimidated the prostitutes, attacking women within sight or earshot of other women, the indictment claims. The defendants gave the women cocaine, Ecstasy, Xanax and other drugs "as a means of numbing their senses," the indictment states.
Tea, SD, United States
Someone in the town of Tea, who knew the situation, contacted the Tea Police Department in July of 2009. After a few months investigation, the couple was arrested on November 20, 2009. Thompson eventually pleaded guilty to sex trafficking a minor by force in the hopes of receiving a lighter sentence, but the judge decided to overrule the recommended sentence of thirty years or less and handed down a sentence of life in prison. This case was investigated by South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tea Police Department. Assistant US Attorney Kevin Koliner prosecuted the case.
Atlanta, GA, United States
DOJ Press Release - 12/9/09 ================= Minister and Wife Charged with Human Trafficking and Immigration Violations for Exploiting Woman from Swaziland Defendant Allegedly Enticed Victim to Travel to the U.S. from Africa Intending to Force the Victim to Work as Their Housekeeper and Nanny . http://atlanta.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/at120909.htm . ATLANTA Between about March 2005, and continuing until on or about February 7, 2007, JUNA GWENDOLYN BABB and MICHAEL J. BABB allegedly conspired to compel the labor of the victim by enticing her to come to the United States from the Kingdom of Swaziland, Africa, by falsely promising her a lucrative, short-term opportunity to provide catering services at the wedding of a family member of the BABBs. However, upon the victim’s arrival to the United States, the couple allegedly conspired to, and did harbor her for the purpose of obtaining and maintaining her labor as a housekeeper and nanny in their home through the use of debt and threats of arrest and imprisonment. . Specifically, after the victim's arrival in the United States, the defendants confiscated her passport and return airline ticket, and told the victim that she owed them a debt for the costs of her travel to the United States. The BABBs allegedly then compelled the victim's labor by using the debt that they claimed the victim owed them, and by threatening her with arrest and imprisonment by immigration authorities once her tourist visa expired. The couple then allegedly required the victim to clean the homes of their friends and associates, and to assist with MICHAEL BABB's construction business. The indictment also alleges that the defendants required the victim to work long hours every day of the week, for which the victim was grossly underpaid on those few occasions that the BABBs paid her at all for her labor and services.
Nashville, TN, United States
DOJ Press Release - 12/24/09 ================= Nashville, Tennessee Woman Sentenced on Sex Trafficking Charges . http://memphis.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/me122409.htm . Nashville, TN Cristina Andres Perfecto pleaded guilty on Aug. 28, 2007, to two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion and sex trafficking of a juvenile in the Western District of Tennessee, as well as one count of conspiracy in the Middle District of Tennessee. . Perfecto’s co-defendant, Juan Mendez, pleaded guilty to child sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. Perfecto and Mendez each admitted to fraudulently luring two young girls, including a 13-year-old, from rural Mexico to Tennessee with the intent of forcing them into prostitution. . Both further admitted that Mendez, with Perfecto’s assistance, physically, verbally, and sexually abused the victims in order to coerce them into prostitution. . Nine other defendants had earlier pleaded guilty in this same case for crimes including: child sex trafficking, conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens, conspiracy to commit money laundering, enticing an individual to travel in interstate commerce to commit prostitution, and violating the Mann Act.
El Cajon, California, United States
According to the limited information online, the police investigation began "after receiving complaints from parents." Another report noted, " Authorities have been investigating the case since last summer after receiving a tip about the baby sitter's activities." On 1/28/09 the police then arrested, Aaron Zendejas. He was arrested and later plead guilty to committing a lewd act on a child and production of child pornography, and admitted an allegation that, for a couple of hundred dollars, he kidnapped the toddler in June 2008 so co- defendant Jared Yaffe could molest the boy. Zendjeas went on to plead guilty on 10/28/09 and waived his right to a trial. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison by Judge David Danielsen The victim’s mother knew Zendejas for at least 10 years, since they were both 14 years old, and trusted him with the care of her child. According to family members, she was in a time of need when she asked Zendejas to help her out. The man Zendejas admitted to selling the child to, Jared Yaffe, is accused of molesting the boy and videotaping it. Yaffe is set to go to trial in 4/19/2010. Yaffe had originally fled to Brazil, but was located and extradited by the Brazillian police in 5/09. The San Diego police searched his home and allegedly found numerous photos of children engaged in sex acts on his computer and cell phone, according to court documents. Yaffe is charged with multiple felony counts, including child sexual assault and kidnapping charges involving three children. Yaffe allegedly persuaded the toddler in the El Cajon hotel room to perform a sex act on him by promising to take the child to McDonald's. Two videos found by authorities allegedly show Yaffe molesting the boy in an El Cajon hotel room, according to court documents.Yaffe faces up to 129 years to life in prison if convicted of child molestation, kidnapping to commit sexual acts and production of child pornography.
Temple Hills Maryland, United States
42 year old foster father Shelby Lewis accused of raping his foster daughter and pimping her out in Washington DC.The foster child was one of the youngest of Lewis' alleged stable of prostitutes, according to court documents. She started working for him when she was 12 and continued to do so for two and a half years. The detective testified that Lewis had sex with his foster child and another who worked for Lewis for three years, starting when she was 13.
Beaverton, OR, United States
Girl was discovered to due to routine traffic stop. Was eventually transported to LA Childrens of the Night shelter.
LAFAYETTE, IN, United States
Omar Luna-Valencia, 32-year-old, was stopped on I-65 in an SUV with 11 passengers, four were children. Luna-Valencia admitted he was attempting to smuggle illegal aliens from Phoenix to Chicago.
Escondido, California, United States
“In the early hours of April 15, officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement knocked on the door of 1809 Cortez Ave. Inside the single-family home, they say they found eight illegal immigrants imprisoned in a back bedroom. The room's doors had been wired shut and its windows had been boarded up. The men had recently been smuggled across the Mexican border, officials say. Testimony from a woman operating the safe house would later reveal that 31 men had been held in the home three days before. Agents had been led to the house by a scrap of paper. The previous evening, about 35 miles south of Escondido in San Diego's Barrio Logan, two men had arrived at a house on Franklin Street, according to police reports. Police allege the men brought with them Martin Guadarama, an illegal immigrant from Mexico whom they had smuggled into the country a few days before. The men, Luis Camacho Ventura and Mateo Alvarado, were there to pick up a ransom payment. Police officers said they had called Guadarama's wife demanding $1,300 and threatening to kill their hostage. "They told her they would dismember her husband and spread him all over the city if she didn't pay," said Lt. John Leas of the San Diego Police Department's robbery division. Guadarama's wife called the SDPD and, when the smugglers arrived to collect the money, they were apprehended by police officers. The officers searched the men, finding a letter addressed to Ventura at the Escondido address. Alvarado also had a handcuff key and a large amount of money, police say. Guadarama told the detectives that other immigrants were being held at the house against their will (Carless).”
Springfield, OH, United States
“A 16-year-old Mexican girl was found to have been trafficked across the US border. Doctors noticed the heavily pregnant girl showed clear signs of physical abuse when she was brought into a hospital in Dayton to give birth. The police were called but the couple who had brought her had already fled. When the girl's story emerged, it became clear she had been kept against her will in the nearby city of Springfield and used for labour and sex.” The hospital contacted Maria Messer, who works with Casa Amiga, to translate for the young girl. Messer discovered that the young girl was an illegal immigrant who was being held against her will by a local couple to have the husband’s child, and most likely sell to a childless couple. Because of the young girl’s injuries, they were planning on inducing her and stealing the child.
Pacific, WA, United States
The case information is provided through Lornet Turnbull's Seattle Times article "Pair Accused of Smuggling, Enslaving Illegal Immigrants," which was published on 11/27/09. The traffickers are Pacific couple Maria Bartola Santos-Gonzalez, 63, and Juan Gonzalez-Guerra, 55. Their son also has probable links to their operation. Between October 2006 and August 2007, the couple smuggled illegal immigrants to Pacific from Aguascalientes, Mexico for $3000-$3500 each. There are eight identified victims, including an eight-year-old girl who alleges that Gonzalez-Guerra sexually molested her, and her seven-year-old brother, who alleges that Santos-Gonzalez physically abused him. Some worked as domestic servants while others, through phony work permits, worked in jobs in construction and agriculture. Most were forced to live in a 20x25foot detached two-car garage. They were limited to two meals per day, and the refrigerator was locked in the interim. They were coerced to remain in their trafficking situation by threats: "The couple threatened to 'cut out their tongues' if they told anyone about what happened." They also "told the immigrants the police wouldn't listen to them anyway because they were undocumented."
Idaho, United States
Rachele Bromley was arrested in May after posting a Craigslist advertisement for erotic massage involving her 16-year-old daughter. The advertisement did not openly solicit sexual favors, but ultimately resulted in a sexual-battery-of-a-minor conviction for a 40-year-old Nampa man and former Canyon County sheriff's deputy named Aaron Hundersmarck.
West Manchester Township, United States
The three face maximum sentences of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a maximum of three years supervised release. In addition, the three have agreed to pay $300,000 to the two women in back pay, the majority of the money coming from seizures of Lynda Phan and Nguyen's home, Nguyen's 2008 Toyota Highlander and money found in bank accounts, documents state.
Millersville, Maryland, United States
Corey was charged with human trafficking Feb. 24th 2009 in Baltimore County District Court. April 27th he was also charged with two counts of human trafficking, one count of operating a prostitution business and numerous drug charges. Police conducted the raid on the Millersville apartment, and arrested Johnson but he was released in August 2009. He continued to distribute drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy) and N-Benzylpiperazine (BZP) until his federal arrest in September 2009. On September 24th 2009, an indictment alleged that Corey conspired with the three other men to run a prostitution business in his former Millersville, MD apartment. All defendants face 5 years in prison for prostitution conspiracy, 20 years for enticement, 20 years for conspiracy to distribute ecstasy and BZP. Corey, Harris and Johnson face life in prison for sex trafficking by force. Corey faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for sex trafficking of a minor, 20 years in prison for distribution of child pornography and 20 years in prison for distribution of BZP. Richard Johnson pleaded guilty Dec. 3rd 2009. He admitted in a plea agreement to enticing girls and successfully recruiting two and sharing in the earnings. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 12th 2010 at 10:00am. The Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, ICE, Anne Arundel County Police Department, Ohio police, and the US Army Criminal Investigation Command were involved in the case. The Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force includes federal, state, and local law enforcement plus victim service providers and community services.
Anchorage,, United States
The indictment indicates that the FBI was intercepting Mujahid's telephone calls for at least five months. In one conversation, Hooks was overheard asking Mujahid "if there were any new girls with whom he could have sex," the indictment charged. . UPDATE The Anchorage Police Department Vice Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. They were assisted by agents and detectives from the Innocence Lost Task Force and the Alaska Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office with assistance from the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and the Criminal Section of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. . The indictment charges: * two counts of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children and by force, fraud and coercion; * two counts of sex trafficking of children and by force, fraud and coercion; * one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child and by force, fraud and coercion; * six counts of promoting prostitution of children; * eight counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; * ten counts of promoting prostitution; two counts of attempted sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; * two counts of possession of child pornography; * one count of sexual exploitation of a child—production of child pornography; * one count of tampering with a victim; * one count of conspiracy to defraud the government–filing false tax returns; and,five counts of identity theft. The 41-count superseding indictment names Mujahid, age 52, Greene, age 38, Marshall, age 21, and Hooks, age 50, as the defendants. Not all of the defendants are named in each count.
Daly City, CA, United States
John France Gonzales beat and molested a 12 year old girl for four years. The abuse began in San Bruno, CA in 2002. Eventually, the girl was brought and held captive in his basement in Daly City for 18 months. She was used as a sex slave. His parents were unaware she lived there. Her parents filed a missing persons report.
Brownsville, United States
A Brownsville couple has been sentenced for running a sex trafficking ring that brought women and teenage girls into the United States for prostitution.
Bensonhurst, New York, United States
Agents arrested a 33 yrs old, who was described as an illegal alien who had been deported to Mexico after being arrested in a similar sex trafficking case. Sources said he returned to the US and ran a new trafficking ring that brought in several unwitting women from Mexico to become prostitutes. While in Mexico he began a romantic relationship with the teen and later paid a smuggler to bring her to the US in April 2007.
Laguna Woods, California, United States
Judge Brannigan, Judge Dlaquist, Sue Ann Edwards, Stephen Sparta, Oceanside CPS, Ocaenside PD, Vista San Diego Court
Hudson, NJ, United States
In what police call "disturbing behavior" that lasted eight months, Carter, owner of First Priority Pay at 50 Harrison St. in Hoboken, allegedly kept the victim in "involuntary servitude" in a cold Adams Street apartment and issued bizarre commands, such as having her call him "Dom," short for
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Avery recruited his prostitutes at bus stations and off the street, wooing them with pricey clothes and jewelry, according to a criminal complaint. One prostitute said Avery was "selling me my dreams," it said. The case is being investigated by the Criminal Division of the Internal Revenue Service, the FBI and the detectives from the Milwaukee Police Department and prosecuted by the U.S. attorney's office.
Greenfield, California, United States
Law enforcement had been involved from the beginning of the case. Originally, they were investigating the missing persons report until it became a trafficking case. Both Galindo and Martinez were arrested. Galindo was cited for statutory rape and released. In February, Martinez pleaded not guilty to procuring a child for lewd acts, aiding and abetting statutory rape and child endangerment. On April 7, 2009, Martinez changed his plea to no contest, in exchange for reduced charges of felony child endangerment. Under the conditions of the plea bargain, he will serve up to a year in jail and face deportation after that.
Dallas, TX, United States
Emmanuel and Ngozi Nnaji are charged with forced labor conspiracy, forced labor, harboring a domestic worker for financial gain, conspiracy to harbor for financial gain, document servitude and making false statements to federal agents. The indictment outlines the rape allegations as part of the forced labor conspiracy.
Fayetteville, NC, United States
A five year old girl, Shaniya Davis, was reported missing on November 10th (Tuesday), 2009. Her mother was the one who reported that she had been abducted. Originally, her mother Antionette Davis had accused her boyfriend, Clarence D. Cole, of kidnapping Shaniya, and he was arrested and charged with kidnapping on Wednesday 11th, 2009. However, on Friday, November 13th, 2009, a man named Mario Andrette McNeil turned himself into police with a confession of kidnapping Shaniya. Police found survellience of McNeil with Shaniya taking her into a Stanford hotel at 6:11am, which is a two hour drive from Fayetteville, NC where she is from (this showed an inconsistency in the timing that her mother reported). At 9:12pm Staurday, November 14th, police charged Antionette Davis, Shaniya's mother, with human trafficking, felony child abuse, prostitution, filing a false police report, and resisting, obstructing or delaying justice. On Monday afternoon, November 16th, Shanyia was found dead on the side of highway 87 in North Carolina. The official cause of death was asphyxiation and autopsy results show that she was also raped. Further investigation showed that Shaniya's mother allegedly sold her into prostitution for monetary gain with the knowledge that she would be used for sex. Her father has suggested that the motive behind selling Shaniya was to pay off a drug debt. The case is ongoing and neither Antoinette or McNeil have been prosecuted yet. Both of their trail dates are set for late January, 2010.
Hillcrest Ave, La Canada, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Tija and his wife were tried in 2008 and pleaded guilty to criminal human trafficking and false imprisonment charges. Jury awarded the victim $768,000 in the case which is believed to be the first case adjudicated under the California Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Derrick Avery, also known as "Pimp Snooky", ran a prostitution ring across multiple state boundaries for many years, starting as early as in 1997. He would entice girls into becoming prostitutes by bringing them gifts and jewelry. Once trafficked, girls were forced to have sex with men and sometimes rob them. If girls returned with fewer than $500 in a night, they would be beaten with pool cues, shoes, pots, broom handles, and belts, along with other forms of violence. His prostitutes were known to be as young as 14 years old. Many girls were also forced to cook and clean for him, essentially becoming domestic servants as well. He worked most prominently in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Milwaukee, but his operation expanded over eight states according to a federal criminal complaint.
Portland, Oregon, United States
8 adult males were using underage girls in a sex operation. The girls were being moved from 5 different metro area locations. The locations could not be specified because the case is on-going. Investigation also found truck drivers transporting women, however, it is unclear if the women were trafficking victims or prostitutes. It is also unclear if the truck drivers were johns or traffickers.
Eugene, Oregon, United States
According to an article in the Register-Guard, Mathias Rey DeVasier, 50, "'lived most of his life blameless,' serving in the U.S. Navy, leaving with an honorable discharge, and working for decades as a local steel fabricator until he was laid off last year." He contacted the victim over craigslist, believing she was 18 or 19 years old. After it became apparent of her age (14), he continued to engage in sex acts with her and facilitate her services to other clients. He also provided her with methamphetamine and invited her to come live in his house, which she did until rescued. DeVaiser reportedly drove her around to different clients and kept a part of her profits for "gas money", which is viewed by law enforcement as reimbursement money for rent.
Bonita Springs, FL in Lee County. Arrested on Sherwood Lane in Bonita Springs, United States
The man was charged with human trafficking and forced labour. His bail was set at $1 million. He is 23 years old and lives at Sherwood Lane in Bonita Springs, FL. He is originally from the same village as the girl that he smuggled into the states is.
Phoenix, United States
Daniel Cortez and Jonquell Jones . Cortez, 19, and Jones, 22, are suspected of preying on six juveniles and one adult, mostly girls between 15 and 17, primarily in west Phoenix since 2006. They were the latest of a handful of men, including two school employees, arrested this month in separate cases on suspicion of targeting juveniles for sex.
houston, texas, United States
Yes. He was employing workers and forcing them to work 14 hour shifts with little pay. Victim was lured by the lie that heéshe would be able to keep her passport and A minimum wage was given to the victim and limited work of 8 hours a day. When caught, Mohammed Abdulazz Al-Zehairi is forced to pay the victim $143,532.20. It does not mention if the victim was deported or not.
houston, texas, United States
Yes. He was employing workers and forcing them to work 14 hour shifts with little pay. Victim was lured by the lie that heéshe would be able to keep her passport and A minimum wage was given to the victim and limited work of 8 hours a day. When caught, Mohammed Abdulazz Al-Zehairi is forced to pay the victim $143,532.20. It does not mention if the victim was deported or not.
Safety Harbor, Florida, United States
The Police received a tip in 2004 for a brothel. In response they sent a undercover officer who found a prostitute however she was willing, but later this incident revealed a sex-trafficking ring. One night 2 prostitutes were seen running from a trailer associated with this brothel. The police then arrested the man who had been keeping them in there and through thi they found out about the ringleader. After this, they had a undercover agent arrange to rescue one of the girls. Through questioning the rescued victim, they found out the ringleaders general route and pulled resources together and arrested him.
Kenner, Louisiana, United States
Leonarda Martinez, age 53, was charged with human trafficking when a bordello was uncovered where she allegedly charged men $400 to have sex with women, using force, fraud or coercian to force the women to provide those illicit services. During the law enforcement raid, the invetigative team found a bedroom with two mattresses on the floor, condoms lying on a dresser and security bars on the windows.
Detroit, Mich., United States
Not much information given, they put up false adds in an over seas newspaper to bring girls to America, under the guise of a study abroad program. Picked her up at the airport, changed her final destination and took her passport and her freedom. http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/11/25/carr.human.trafficking/index.html
Sanford, North Carolina, United States
Antoinette Davis,25, offered her 5 year-old daughter, Shaniya, for sex. Shaniya was staying with her father, who had custody; however, he decided to let Shaniya stay with her mother for a month, because she had become financially stable. Davis is now being charged with human trafficking and felony child abuse.
Comfort Suites, 1891 Bragg Street, Sanford, North Carolina, 27330, United States
Searchers focused on an area about 6 miles from the last confirmed sighting of Shaniya. She was seen on security video at the Comfort Suites hotel in Sanford, along with a man who police believe is McNeill, last Tuesday morning. The body of missing 5-year-old Shaniya Nicole Davis was recovered Monday afternoon, Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine said. Sources: http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/11/16/crimesider/entry5671683.shtml and http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/18/shaniya.davis/index.html
Topeka Women's Prison, 815 SE Rice Rd Topeka KS, United States
Prison vocational plumbing instructor Anastacio "Ted" Gallardo attempted to exchange money for oral sex from an student-inmate. She accepted because she makes $14 a month at a prison job. At the scene, he forces other acts upon her. He has used 3-6 other inmates as well. He used other inmates to cover up and as lookouts. He admitted to victims that he "should better prepare for sexual encounters with inmates by hiding condoms at the prison's plumbing shop. He threatened to hurt anyone who broke their code of silence. "He's the authority figure". He has "the ability to impact their liberty". Victim became pregnant and Gallardo attempted to obtain the abortion pill RU486 from Mexico and another inmate with contacts and also a registered sex offender. He attempted to sneak her out of the prison for an abortion at a clinic 65 miles away. She was frightened about authorities finding out she was pregnant. Gallardo had another inmate jump on victim's stomach to end pregnancy. He told victim no one would believe her because she was an inmate.
Topeka, Kansas, United States
The case was brought to trial by the US Attorneys Office, under immigration laws rather than human trafficking laws. The US Attorneys Office reasoned that '"There's a variety of ways a case can be calculated", explaining a charge may be based on the probability of conviction"'. (CJOnline.com 6/27/09) Singh was arrested and sentenced on July 23, 2009, and is sentence is unknown.
Mission,Kansas, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, a citizen of Uzbekistan living ina suburb of Kansas City is the alleged ringleader of a group of twelve who ensnared hundreds of illegal immigrants into labor trafficking in hotels, construction sites and other businesses, many of them in Kansas City and Branson. The conspiracy involved fraudulent labor leasing contracts in Missouri, Kansas, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New jersey, South Carolina and Wyoming. The criminal enterprise lured victims to the US under the guise of legitimate jobs and a better life, only to treat them as slaves under the threat of deportation. A US Attornet for Western Missouri said that the traffickers used false information to obtain false work visas for the foreign workers. Askarkhodjaev purportedly used Kansas City labor leasing company Giant Labor Solutions and other companies to obtain labor leasing contracts from clients in 14 states. Clients were told that all immigration and labor laws would be followed. The employees were alledgedly required to pay exorbitant rent to live in barely furnished apartments that "ensured the workers did not make enough money to repay their debt, buy a plane ticket home or pay their own living expenses in the US." The workers also had to pay for transportation to their jobs, uniform fees and other fees that often left them with paychecks that had negative earnings. They were threatened with physical harm, deportation or other legal problems if they did not comply. They also were not allowed to receive mail. Others indicted were: Nodir Yunuskov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurove, 21, Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, Alexandru Frumasache, 23, Viorel Simon, 27, Kristen Doughterty, 49, Andrew Cole, 53, Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, Sandjar Agzamov, 27 and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29.
Fayette, OH, United States
seven underage girls were rescued
Washington, D.C., United States
One of them escaped. She just opened the door and ran. She wasn't wearing shoes, it was October and bitterly cold in suburban Washington, D.C.. She was frightened, "and I told myself I really give up I don’t care whatever happen with my life right now I think I’ve tried my best running away…" She called the number of a Cameroonian man who visited her slave owner's house occasionally and seemed concerned about Rose. The man picked her up hours later. Another Cameroonian man found out what was happening. He took the victim into his home. She told him there were others just like her. Eventually, The victim was reunited with her friend and other young Cameroonian girls who had been enslaved.
Reisterstown, MA, United States
Federal prosecutors said Byron Thompson, 25, and Lea Bell, 29, both of Reisterstown,were sentenced to 10 years in prison for the sex trafficking of minors in Maryland, New York and Washington, D.C. The men were also ordered at sentencing Thursday to register as sex offenders. According to court documents, Thompson and Bell recruited minors to engage in commercial sex acts. They rented more than 100 hotel rooms and recruited sex workers through friends, clubs, bars and the Internet. The pair also posted ads on the Internet to attract sex customers. From January to February 2009, Thompson and Bell prostituted two 15-year-old girls and one 17-year-old girl in Maryland.
Maryland, United States
What is known about the trafficker? Her parents could not send her to high school, so she lived with an old lady and worked for her. She was supposed to get to go to school, but that never happened. After a year, the old lady told her she knew someone who could offered her an education in US in exchange for some baby sitting work. At first her father refused, saying it was too far away, but she convinced him, insisting this was her dream come true. They told her she would need to wait till the next term to start school, but a whole year went by and they only said they were still thinking about it. Then they starting saying that just bringing her to America was enough. Later they sent her two days a week to a free class to prepare for the GED. For five years, from the time she was 13 till she was 18 years of age, she worked up to 20 hours a day, usually 5 a.m. to midnight, every day of the week without a day off. She did housework, cooking and laundry and ironing. She was not permitted to make or to receive calls. She wrote letters to her parents but never received any back. She never received any pay at all. She was told money was being sent back home to her family, which was not true. She was denied any contact with her parents, using the excuse that they were trying to get in touch with them.
Seattle, WA, United States
Johnson was sentenced to a 21-month prison term, following his plea to one count of promoting prostitution. Clark, whose trial is expected to stretch late into November, remains in King County Jail pending the case's resolution. "He played on everything that I went through," the young woman said, responding to questions from Deputy Prosecutor Christina Miysmasu. "He made me promises that were backed up by promises. I should have known better, because I guess promises are made to be broken. …
Shangambo District, United States
Raymond Matiti, 61 and Matiti and his co-accused Likando face a possible jail term of 20 years if found guilty of human trafficking. According to the Zambian laws, “human trafficking is an act of recruitment, transporting, harbouring or receipt of persons for the purposes of slavery, forced labour (including bonded labour or debt bondage) and servitude”.
Dillsboro, Indiana, United States
In Fulton County, Ismaiel Pachico, 35, was charged with sexual conduct with a person under the age of 16, and Mezia Sinforiano, 61; Francisco Baltazar, 32; Pablo Trigueros, 60, and Wilmar Velasquez Bravo, 20, were charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Berrien, Cass, Kent, Newaygo, Ottawa, Oceana, Muskegon and Van Buren, Michigan, United States
The U.S. Department of Labor levied fines totaling more than $36,000 against eight growers in Michigan for violations of migrant housing and child labor laws — including an allegation of a 6-year-old picking blueberries — and retailers have already discontinued doing business with some of the companies. Two blueberry growers, Adkin Blue Ribbon Packing Co., South Haven, and Jawor Bros., Ravenna, were assessed penalties of $2,584 for child labor violations after the investigation allegedly found children under 12, including a six-year-old, picking in the fields.
Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide initiative to identify, investigate and arrest people who prey on children, including human traffickers, international sex tourists, Internet pornographers, and foreign-national predators whose crimes make them deportable. Launched in July 2003, federal agents have arrested almost 12,000 individuals through Operation Predator.
Schiller Park, Illinois, United States
quote from first online article: "Cook County sheriff's police conducting a sting discovered three women from Thailand who told investigators they had been forced to work as prostitutes in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Texas in the three weeks they have been in the United States." The second article states that the traffickers were not caught, though the first article states "The (Cook County) sheriff's office is working with federal authorities to investigate the ring."
Newberg, Oregon, United States
Sept. 4 report from KATU news: http://www.katu.com/home/related/63679802.html On Sept. 4 a 15-year-old girl disclosed to Newberg-Dundee police officers, 44-year-old Newberg resident Darrin Vaughn Daily, had given her marijuana and alcohol and had sex with her. During the investigation, a search warrant was executed for the residence at 720 South River Street, Apt B, Newberg, and evidence was seized. During the investigation, detectives said they discovered that a 14-year-old girl also may have been a victim. During her interview, detectives said they learned Daily also engaged in sexual activity with her. The girl reported Daily had taken photographs during the sexual activity, which included occasions when she was tied up, occasions involving sexual intercourse with his dog, and occasions of group sex resulting from Daily posting a Craigslist advertisement inviting other adults to engage in sexual activity with the minor. A second search warrant was executed and Daily's computer was seized, as well as other media storage devices. The Newberg-Dundee Police Department Computer Forensics detectives analyzed the computer and located many photographs of the 14 year old engaged in sexual activity with multiple adults as well as images of the minor engaging in sexual intercourse with the dog. Images of a four year old being sexually abused also were found. Detectives were able to locate three adult males who responded to the Craigslist advertisement to engage in sexual activity with the 14 year old, as well as one adult female who engaged in sexual activity with one of the minor females. The three adult males arrested were: 43-year-old Patricio Moreno of Forest Grove, 34-year-old Robert Thompson of Portland and 41-year-old David Garcia of McMinnville. The adult female, Alisa Nice of McMinnville, has not been located for arrest at the time of this release. Detectives were able to locate and interview the four year old in the images found on Daily's computer. The four year old disclosed being sexually abused by Daily and is currently being cared for with the assistance of Juliette's House Child Abuse Assessment Center in McMinnville. Newberg-Dundee police credit their ability to analyze Daily's computer and retrieve the digital evidence in a timely manner with being able to locate, identify and apprehend those involved in the case. Darrin Vaughn Daily is being held in the Yamhill County Jail on $1 million security and is charged with: Using Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct (6 counts - Measure 11) Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (2 counts - Measure 11) Sexual Assault of an Animal (2 counts) Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) to a Minor (3 counts) Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree Rape in the Third Degree (18 counts) Sodomy in the Third Degree (5 counts of oral-to-genital contact with a minor) Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree (6 counts) Endangering the Welfare of a Minor (3 counts) Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree. Robert Dwain Thompson is being held in the Yamhill County Jail on $750,000 security and is charged with: Using Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct (3 counts - Measure 11) Rape in the Third Degree (3 counts) Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree (5 counts). David Garcia was being held in the Yamhill County Jail on $100,000 security but has posted bond. He is charged with: Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree (4 counts) Rape in the Third Degree (2 counts). Patricio Moreno is being held in the Yamhill County Jail on $15,000 security; he will be arraigned sometime Wednesday. He is charged with: Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree (4 counts) Rape in the Third Degree (2 counts) Sodomy in the Third Degree (2 counts).
Central Avenue, East Orange, New Jersey, United States
Akouavi Kpade Afolabi , a Togolese woman residing legally in the United States was found guilty on October 14 on 22 counts of human trafficking and obtaining US visas by fraud. The husband, Lassissi Afolabi, the son, Dereck Hounakey, and a fourth person, Geoffry Kouevi, have also been charged. To be sentenced in January. The jury that heard the case of Akouavi Kpade Afolabi returned the unanimous verdict of guilty quickly. Afolabi admitted trafficking girls aged 10 to 19 from Ghana and Togo between 2002 and 2007. She was a prominent textile merchant in Lomé, where she gained control of the girls. Afolabi promised to help them escape from poverty by learning a new profession in America. Instead, she forced them into slavery and abused them both physically and psychologically. The girls were forced to work 14 hours a day, 6 days a week braiding hair in salons in New Jersey. Afolabi stole all their wages and even confiscated the smallest tips given by clients. The girls were told that they’d be sent back to Africa if they objected to working without pay. Afolabi and her husband Lassissi Afolabi kept the girls under tight control, confiscating their passports and other personal documents and refusing to allow them to call home or friends. The girls were frequently beaten, especially by the husband, who was also charged. They were beaten if they did not return directly to their apartment after work, if they asked for their salary or any money, or if they disobeyed his orders. One had her head beaten against a table. In addition to these nightmares, both the husband and the son, Dereck Hounakey, have admitted to raping some of the girls. Afolabi hung her head and wept in the courtroom as the husband described his sexual encounters with the girls. The trafficker must have feared the girls would naturally refuse when they learned the real circumstances of their engagement, for she forced them to undergo voodoo or fetish rituals. As is frequently done to the trokosi in Ghana, she tried to frighten them into believing that they would go mad if they did not remain loyal and obedient to her. Afolabi prayed daily and sometimes sacrificed chickens at a voodoo or fetish shrine inside her home. Afolabi brought the girls into the U.S. fraudulently. Authorities say Afolabi smuggled the girls to America by helping them pose as spouses or relatives of people who secured visas through a lottery program. One of the enslaved girls failed several times to trick American embassy officials in Togo. She approached real lottery winners and offered to pay their plane fare if they would smuggle one of her workers into the US by having her pose as his stepdaughter. She even went so far as to arrange a fake wedding for one of the girls to ensure her enslavement. Afolabi’s lawyer tried to defend her on the basis that what she did was consistent with West African cultural practices and that she had saved the girls from poverty because they were provided with clothes. The American jury did not accept the argument, clearly seeing it as a classic case of child trafficking and modern-day slavery. The prosecution is asking for a life sentence in prison. http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/national/article_a2d7e2dd-169b-5937-9b8f-d5fe3511a06a.html http://blog.nj.com/ledgerarchives/2008/05/officials_call_it_slavery_but.html http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091014/ap_on_re_us/us_hair_braiders_forced_labor_5 http://english.pravda.ru/news/society/07-09-2007/96879-tololese_slaves-0 http://www.southfloridacriminaldefenselawyerblog.com/2009/03/federal_human_trafficker_plead.html#more http://www.nj.com/mobile/articles/paper1.ssf?/base/news-14/1253151910265840.xml&coll=1
Syracuse, New York, United States
Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Cali said Edwards could face five to 15 years in prison if she does not carry out her part of the deal. Cali said the prosecution was interested in pursuing sexual assault charges against any men who had sex with the victim at Edwards' home. Authorities said the 16-year-old victim had stayed voluntarily at Edwards' home one night in December. When she tried to leave the next day, Edwards would not let her go for a couple of days, telling her she had to have sex with men to settle the debt owed for spending the night, police reported. In pleading guilty, Edwards admitted being present when several men had sex with the girl in her home.
Camden New Jersey, United States
Javon Gordan, age 27 Federal authorities allege Gordon, with the help of at least three other people, ran a prostitution ring that operated from as early as September 2007 to July 2008 in Atlantic City and various other cities, including Washington, D.C. and Boston. Gordon allegedly went online to recruit minor girls and adult women from the Atlantic City area.
Newark, New Jersey, United States
A Togolese woman accused of forcing girls from Africa to work in New Jersey hair braiding salons for no pay has been convicted of human trafficking and visa fraud. Prosecutors argued that Akouavi Kpade Afolabi, called "Sister" by the women she oversaw, helped bring at least 20 girls between the ages of 10 and 19 from the West African nations of Togo and Ghana on fraudulent visas to New Jersey starting in 2002. They said she manipulated the impoverished young women, who aspired to live better lives in America, and kept them in slavery-like conditions while stealing all their pay — even tips as meager as fifty cents. Afolabi's lawyer, Bukie Adetula, countered that his client was considered a benevolent mother figure and revered community leader — both in her native Togo and New Jersey. He said she was known for lending people money and aiding young women to escape their poverty-stricken homeland to learn a marketable skill in America. He spoke outside the Newark federal courtroom following a unanimous guilty verdict on all 22 counts, which was returned just hours after the jury began deliberations. During the month long trial, prosecutors outlined a scheme they say Afolabi and her ex-husband and son — who have pleaded guilty — used to keep the young women tightly controlled. They said the women were beaten, psychologically abused and, in some cases, sexually abused, while being kept from phoning home, contacting friends or family, or accessing their passports and other documents. Adetula said what the U.S. government called slave-like supervision was merely a West African custom of protecting young girls by making sure they were tightly supervised, especially in a foreign country where they didn't know the customs or the language. Afolabi, who alternated throughout the trial between western wear and traditional African dress, sat shackled at the ankles with her head bowed much of the time, listening through headphones to a simultaneous interpreter in Ewe, her native tongue. She wept often throughout the proceedings, especially during descriptions of her former husband's alleged sexual relations with several of the women, some of them underage. Has there been any intervention? How & by whom? The trafficker was arrested in 2007, brought to trial and found guilty in 2009, being kept in jail in the meantime. She is to be sentenced in January 2010 and faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment. More information: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,566464,00.html
Pasidena, CA, United States
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement A Mexican housekeeper claims a married couple paid coyotes to smuggle her into the United States, then held her captive for 6 years and put her to forced labor for more than 100 hours a week in their home. She seeks damages of $125,800 in back wages, and punitive damages for slavery.
phoenix, az, United States
17-year-old Jazmine Finley. the former Carl Hayden High School student worked as a prostitute and recruited and pandered girls as young as 14.
Cook county, IL, United States
The women told police they left Thailand three weeks ago and were told a limo would be waiting outside a New York airport, the release said. The driver had instructions to take them to a nearby motel. The same scenario was then repeated in each city. Vice officers worked with the sheriff's Women's Justice Services to interview the women, the release said.
Long Island/NYC, United States
Jodi went to the FBI in 2003. On March 5, 2007, Marcus was convicted of forced labor and sex trafficking, but cleared of obscenity. In a 42-page ruling, U.S. v. Marcus, 05-CR-457, Eastern District of New York Judge Allyne R. Ross upheld the conviction. Ross stated that there was a difference between consent and abuse in such relationships. She also ruled that the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 could be interpreted to apply to domestic relationships. On September 7, 2007, Marcus was sentenced to 9 years in prison. On August 14, 2008, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Marcus' conviction and ordered a retrial because the 2000 Trafficking Victims Protection Act was used to prosecute him for events before the law was in place. In July 2009 the Department of Justice Appealed the 2nd circuit courts ruling to the Supreme Court and in October 2009 the Supreme Court agreed to review the prosecutions appeal. Arguments will be held early in 2010.
Kansas City (metro area), United States
This conviction is the result of Operation Guardian Angel, a unique undercover law enforcement investigation targeting the demand for child prostitutes in the Kansas City metro area. As a result of this investigation, a total of seven defendants were indicted in federal prosecution of the alleged customers of child prostitution under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. During the weekend of March 5 to 7, 2009, the Human Trafficking Rescue Project, led by the Independence Police Department, conducted a sting operation targeting local customers who solicit pimps to engage in commercial sex acts with children. The “children” were advertised online at Craig’s List. No real children were actually involved in the sting.
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Jorge Flores Rojas, 45, was a notorious sex trafficking operator in Charlotte. Local and federal authorities say Flores' ring brought in hundreds of young women each year to work as prostitutes. Flores, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, picked up vans full of eight to 10 young women each week outside the McDonald's on West Sugar Creek Road near Interstate 85, where other traffickers had brought them. Others, he smuggled in directly from Latin America. Authorities say he brought customers to his apartment off Sharon Amity Road near Eastland Mall, but mostly took the girls to hotels and brothels set up around the city. In November 2007, court documents say, he "sold" at least two teenagers from Mexico to Yaneth Martinez, a D.C. madam, who advertised her services with cards offering "Hair Cuts for Men Only." Martinez worked the girls in the capital city and gave Flores a cut of the profits. A month later, she returned them to him. Their business relationship worked like this for more than a year, federal authorities said.
York county, United States
The two were threatened with exposure to immigration officials, according to the federal charges. here is a link to an article http://wbal.com/apps/news/templates/story.aspx?articleid=37187&zoneid=3
New York City, United States
According to Washington Post, Ms. Baoanan is suing her former employers for lack of pay and 126-hour workweeks. A judge in NY has ruled that diplomatic immunity will not protect the Bajas, since the maid served in a private function and not in a diplomatic function. The case is still proceeding through the courts. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/19/AR2009091901864.html
near Sudbury Rd Charlotte North Carolina, United States
Jorge Flores Rojas created a shrine to the patron saint of death, said to protect pimps and other criminasl. Each day he prayed to Santa Muerte, joined by the teenaged girls whom he forced to have sex with as many as 20 men a day.
King County, United States
Investigators believe members of a gang called the Westside Street Mobb forced 12 women and girls to perform sex acts for money, beat them and took the money they earned over several months last year, according to charges filed in King County Superior Court. The names of the gang members are as follows: *DeShawn Clark- 18-year-old who also goes by "Cash" or "Cash Money". Was charged in November with promoting prostitution and other charges. Prosecutors added the charge of second-degree human trafficking. *Thomas L. Foster- 19, was also charged in November *Shawn S. Clark, 20 *Gerald Jackson, 21 *Mycah Johnson, 19 *Desmond Manago, 20 Investigators say the gang, which is affiliated with the Bloods, has 20 to 30 members involved in robbery, drug sales, weapon possession and aggravated assaults, according to charging papers. The women claimed they were forced to work at a hotel in Portland, hotels in Seattle and Tukwila and at a basement apartment in the 10400 block of Des Moines Memorial Drive South, charging papers said.
Kenhorst, Pennsylvania, United States
The investigator, who requested anonymity, said the local sex slave operations were controlled by South Korean organized crime rings operating out of the Flushing section of Queens, N.Y.
Charlotte, United States
ICE was invloved in the case. here is link to the latest article:http://www.charlotteobserver.com/597/story/983851.html?storylink=omni_popular
Honolulu Hawaii, United States
Not much information provided, but to see full article, go to: http://www.kitv.com/news/21166323/detail.html " Honolulu police have opened an investigation after a 15-year-old girl said she was forced into prostitution. The teen told police she was held against her will in a Waikiki hotel room in the early-morning hours of Monday and sexually assaulted by the man police are calling a "pimp." Detectives said they have leads as they look for the man described only as in his 30s. He faces sexual assault and kidnapping charges."
East Lliff Avenue, Aurora, United States
police followed the victim, a minor, to a location where she meet her pimp. he along with the motel manager were arrested.
Rckingham County, NC, United States
Article Text: "Rockingham County, NC -- Investigators arrested a man they say kidnapped a woman and refused to let her leave. Rockingham County Sheriff's Department says 46-year-old Wendy Autwell told them she was held against her will for three months at a home in Stoneville. Autwell says Larry McIntyre threatened her life and the lives of her children and grandchildren. The arrest warrant says Autwell was "held as a hostage, terrorized and held in involuntary servitude." Deputies arrested McIntyre and charged him with First Degree Kidnapping. He was placed on a $500,000 bond and an additional $10,000 for a Probation Violation." Original Article Link: http://www.digtriad.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=130675&catid=57
Glenns Ferry, United States
No information released other than boyfriend of victim. He sold his then 14-year old girlfriend to 7 adult males for meth. She fought back but was overpowered because she had been bought.
Temple Hills - Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Authorities say Shelby Lewis, age 42 , has been running a child sex trafficking operation since 2006. Two girls, ages 14 and 16, were arrested in May for prostitution and told police that Lewis was their pimp. Around the same time in May, police found a 13 year old who had been reported missing to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. She told police that Lewis had been prostituting her for the past three years. A fouth girl said she had been prostituted by Lewis since she was 12, two years ago,
West 38th Street, New York, NY, United States
The madam was a senior citizen and the prostitute was just a kid. Vice cops raided a grimy midtown brothel called Episodes, where a 64-year-old hustler oversaw a stable of women - the youngest just 15 - giving "sex massages," police sources said. The W. 38th St. whorehouse was decidedly low-rent - mattresses on the floor of tiny rooms and a sign advertising $1 bottles of water, sources said. "I know things are tough, but $1 isn't going to break anyone," read the sign in the fourth-floor sex pad. Cloth butterflies and small "Phantom of the Opera" masks were the only decor in stark contrast to the majestic West End building where alleged madam Noreen Williams lived. Cops said Williams had been hustling prostitutes since at least 1997, which was news to her neighbors. "She was just a normal, polite old woman. She's always walking her two dogs. She doesn't dress flashy," said a stunned West End resident. When cops raided Episodes on Thursday afternoon, Williams was booking clients, and a 15-year-old hooker was getting ready to turn a trick in one of the back rooms, sources said. Williams told cops she had no idea the young Hispanic girl was only a high school student, sources said. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/08/15/2009-08-15_brothel_offered_teen_sex_cops_say_madam_64_ran_grimy_midtown_biz.html#ixzz0Que2LfQk
Weehawken, New Jersey, United States
A pair of aspiring models were turned into sex slaves after two fiendish pimps responded to their Craigslist ads, lured them to a Midtown hotel and forced them to have sex with up to 60 men, authorities said. Two savvy pimps, Jason Breska, 38, of Brooklyn, and Sabina Rabinovich, 36, of Florida, responded to the ads while trolling the Internet for potential sex victims, cops said. One of the women had posted an ad looking for a "position in pornography." The thugs, who are childhood friends, promised the women modeling careers with health benefits and dates with clients, police said. They even paid for their travel expenses from Ridgewood, NJ, and Sun Valley, Calif., police said. The women -- ages 21 and 27 -- ended up at the La Quinta Hotel at 17 West 32nd Street, where they were allegedly forced into the sex industry. Using the name "Joey," Breska oversaw the operation and collect all the money - never giving a penny to the victims, cops said. Rabinovich, who went by the name "Charlie," would set up the sexual liaisons by calling the victims to inform them she was sending over a client, police said On June 7, Breska allegedly raped the 27-year-old woman in a room at the hotel. Between, June 8 and June 15, the same victim was forced to have sex with up to 60 men and kept at the hotel through "scare tactics," such as threats to tell their families. At the same time, the 21-year-old victim was kept in a room while having sex with a constant stream of Johns for two straight days.
Brandenton, FL, United States
Manatee Sheriffs office, I.C.E., and F.B.I. were all involved in the investagation which lead to the arrest of both traffickers.
SCHENECTADY, United States
A Forest Road man allegedly took in a 14-year-old runaway, promising her food and a warm place to stay after she disappeared from a group home. Instead, prosecutors said, David Tittensor exploited her by arranging sexual liaisons with other men during two weeks in January. Her ordeal unfolded gradually. She had been living at home, but had run-ins with her parents. She was sent to the Charlton School, a group home for troubled adolescent girls in Saratoga County. She had issues there, too, and fled the school with enough money to buy a one-way bus ticket. She had a vague plan to visit a friend in Schenectady. It was a cold January afternoon when she ended up in the Electric City. She wandered the unfamiliar city streets, looking for the apartment complex where her friend lived. It was starting to get dark. She was getting scared. Jason Stapleton, 29, was drinking at a friend's house and saw her walk past on Van Vranken Avenue, not far from Union College. He called out to her, made small talk, offered her a cigarette and a drink. He said he'd give her a ride to her friend's house. On the way, he said he needed to stop to see Tittensor. At Tittensor's house, the two men got the girl drunk on vodka and beer and high on marijuana in the attic. She passed out. Stapleton then raped the girl when she was unconscious. Stapleton pleaded guilty to first-degree rape in March and agreed to testify against Tittensor. He is serving six years in state prison, according to the New York State Department of Correctional Services web site. The girl said Tittensor seemed nice at first. He gave her a place to stay, took her shopping for clothes, even let her pick out her own towels and toiletries. Tittensor shared the house with a girlfriend and an 8-year-old son during visitations. When his friends came over, he sent her to the unfinished attic. Up there, he kept an old mattress leaned up against a wall. All of the alleged sex acts with the girl took place during the first two weeks of January. The girl had initially been reluctant to identify Tittensor, authorities said. It also took time to track down the men who had sex with her, authorities said. Tittensor and six other men have been charged. The men paid between $40 and $80, according to the criminal complaint filed in City Court.
Northeast Philadelphia, United States
Police arrested two men at the scene on charges of kidnapping, rape, and possession of narcotics, says cbs3.com. Police took three women into custody for on suspicion of prostitution. The prostitution ring may be part of a much larger operation, say investigators.
Charlotte, NC, United States
Mercedes Farquharson 63, of Union county, considered her self a deity. She convinced a mother she was a religiuos deity and to give her the mother's children.
West 38th Street New York, United States
law enforcement thought they were going to close down a illegial hotel operation but found something very different instead.
Thrift Travel Inn, Salisbury, Maryland, United States
Ishwarlai Kalidas Patel, 72, one of three managers at the Thrift Travel Inn,was indicted by a grand jury on prostitution, human trafficking and conspiracy charges after allegedly arranging sexual services for an undercover police officer. Ramanbhai Patel, 59, and Dakshaben Patel, 55, were also charged but have not yet been indicted. The State Attorney commented "They're profiting financially from arranging appointments between individuals for the purposes of prostotution and/or demanding compensation from the (women.)"
Kapolei, HI 96707, United States
The owners of one of the state's largest fruit and vegetable farms were indicted late Thursday by the U.S. Department of Justice for engaging in a conspiracy to commit forced labor and visa fraud. Alec and Mike Sou of Aloun Farms Hawaii and a thai labor recruiter were charged with human trafficking conspiracy. Aloun Farms Hawaii is the state's second-largest fruit and vegetable farm, employing an estimated 200 people. But the Justice Department says some of the company's labor practices are illegal. The Sou brothers and Thai labor recruiter William Khoo are accused of devising a scheme to hire 44 Thai nationals by enticing them to come to Hawaii with false promises of lucrative jobs. According to the indictment, they maintained their labor through threats of serious economic harm. Other workers at the farm today shared details they were aware of. "This happened about a couple of weeks ago, maybe a week and a half, had couple of immigrant cards that just expired," said Donovan Tangonan, a delivery driver for the company. "Instead of letting them get to renew them - they just detained them right there." According to the indictment, the trio organized for the Thai workers to pay high recruitment fees which were financed by debts secured with the workers' family properties and homes. The indictment also charges the defendants engaged in visa fraud conspiracy and that the Sous confiscated passports and failed to honor employment contracts. Both brothers declined to comment. Workers say they aren't aware of any other problems. "Pretty much everybody here is all legal, other than that we just had a little mishap with those two people," said Tangonan. Aloun Farms annual gross sales are estimated at $8 million. If convicted, Alec and Mike Sou each face maximum sentences of 15 years in prison and Khoo faces a maximum of 10 years. This case is being investigated by the F-B-I and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement. http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Aloun-Farm-Owners-Face-Human-Trafficking/ArIJ-vhsZ0K_KF5ohngGeQ.cspx
Woodstock, Georgia, United States
The owner of La Cabana restaurant smuggled women and girls from Central and South America into the US and engaged them in prostitution to repay their smuggling debts, according to documents filed in federal magistrate court in Atlanta. The victims, some as young as 15, allegedly performed sex acts for money in a "sex room" at the restaurant and at the owner's home on Jamie Way in Woodstock. The business operates as a restaurant during the day, but after 10pm it transitions into a "Gentlemen's Club,"
Washington Park, Illinois, United States
Terrence A. Yarbrough (a.k.a. "T-Rex"). A 34 year old male. "he women, referred to only as "Jane Doe 1 and 2" in court documents, were being rented out against their will to men who responded to online ads on Craigslist and backpage.com, court documents and testimony show. They were forced into the business by Terrence A. Yarbrough, FBI Special Agent Cynthia Dockery wrote in a court affidavit unsealed Monday." From http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/laworder/story/8F87FBF0F9C6CCE9862576240001A191?OpenDocument
slaverymap.com, United States
Phillip Garrido and his wife Nancy Garrido. Garrido kidnapped Jaycee an 11 year old girl after she got off a school bus in Lake tahoe CA. Her step father heard her scream and saw a car drive off. Her father tried in vane to follow her capture. Jaycee was kept in a small area for 18 years. She was raped by Garrido and had 2 children by him, her 1st at 14 yrs old. Neither child nor Jaycee went to school or the doctor.
Monroe, NC, United States
Mercedes Farquharson, 63, was arrested in Bulgaria in July after three years on the run. The woman was extradited to North Carolina facing multiple charges of forced labor and servitude. Farquharson kept three children under her control, forcing them to work on a farm in Monroe without breaks and sometimes with no sleep. She claimed to be a religious deity and convinced the biological mother to give her the girls. Farquharson adopted one of the children. News14 - Woman Charged with Enslaving Children Appears in Court - http://news14.com/content/local_news/charlotte/614045/woman-charged-with-enslaving-children-appears-in-court/ N&O - Woman Accused of Enslaving Girls Extradited to NC - http://www.newsobserver.com/1565/story/1669767.html
Westport, Kansas City, MO, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, owned and operated Giant Labor, a labor-leasing company, and controlled a dozen other businesses that filed fraudulent applications for foreign workers. Askarkhodjaev and others used false IDs to create the companies and open dozens of bank accounts for them. Abror Askarkhodjaev has pleaded not guilty to the charges and intends to proceed to trial.
New York, United States
The victim was forced to work for three monthe for a pay of only $100, passports were taken, forced to work 18 hour days 7 days a week with no time off. She was told she would have a jod as a nurse in the US. She was able to leave after three months.
Houston, TX, United States
Naim Jorge-Tovar, 33, a Mexican national illegally in the United States has been indicted for sex trafficking of a child. According to allegations contained in a criminal complaint filed against Tovar on July 22, 2009, Tovar romanced a 16-year-old Mexican female, in Mexico, and smuggled her into the United States around April 2009. Shortly after arriving in the country, Tovar told the victim she would have to work in an apartment. She thought he meant that she would work cleaning an apartment. What he meant, according the complaint, was that she would be working as a prostitute in an apartment. The victim was threatened with physical harm if she refused. Tovar kept all the money derived from the commercial sex acts the victim was coerced into performing. http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txs/releases/August%202009/082009Tovar.htm
Houston, TX, United States
4 men and 1 women were charged with trafficking of women and children for commercialized sex. They were headquartered out of Huston but would fly the girls to other states to work. They operated out of several modeling studios and message parlors. They used physical beatings,threats at gunpoint, threats to harm family members, and promises of love and affection to control victims.
Huston, TX, United States
Naim Jorge-Tovar, 33 a Mexican citizen romanced a 16 year old girl and then smuggled her into th U.S.. Once here he forced her into prostitution.
Little Rock, AR, United States
Everette Cooney and Tommy Handy were arrestd on charges of sex trafficking and sex trafficking of a child for commerical sexual explotation. They got girls between the ages of 14 through 18 to sell their bodies for th defendants personal gain.
Robertson County, TN, United States
Police started investigating the Wests in early 2009 after an anonomous informant alerted police that students from a Robertson County High School were being hired to work as prostitutes. Federal agents picked up a 16 year old girl in early August as part of an investigation into a prostitution ring. The girl had been recruited and told to tell customers that she was really 18. On Aug. 3, Teresa West checked into a Murfreesboro hotel room and then went to a second room. Later that night, a federal affadavit said, a 16 year old girl went to the first room. She was picked up and later told investigators that she was still in high school. She said that during the summer she had seen clients 20 or 30 times. Typically clients paid her $110 with $40 going to Teresa West.
Religh, North Carolina, United States
7 farms and 17 farmers were charged http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/us-department-of-labor-uncovers,921927.shtml
Silver Star Rd & N Powers Dr, Orlando, Orange, Florida 32808, United States
A 15-year-old Orange County girl who ran away from home after an argument with her mother was kidnapped at gunpoint and forced to turn tricks for her kidnappers for 21 days. The records show the girl ran away after an argument with her mom and quickly agreed to come home; however, as she walked home and passed the Silver Oaks Apartments at Silver Star Road and Powers Drive, a man forced her into a van at gunpoint, reports show. Aleisea N. Smith, 22, and Timothy L. Smith, 39, are accused of kidnapping a 15 year old teen at gunpoint and demanding she turn tricks for them. They remain at the Orange County Jail without bail. Oakland police learned Smith's identity and discovered an outstanding warrant while investigating her for an unrelated incident. She was in court Thursday to face new charges of child neglect and providing false information to police in that other case. Timothy L. Smith already was in jail in an unrelated child-support case when he was charged in the 2007 case, records show. He faces nine counts, including sex trafficking, kidnapping and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Santa Clara County, United States
Timothy Richardson and Robert Hendricks pleaded guilty on Aug. 7 to two counts of human trafficking. Under the plea bargain, Richardson will be sentenced to six years and four months in state prison, and Hendricks will be sentenced to three years. Richardson's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Ross McMahon, declined to comment. Hendricks' attorney, Eben Kurtzman, could not be reached for comment. Sentencing will occur on Aug. 28. The Santa Clara Police Department, the FBI, and Santa Clara County prosecutors worked together on this case. The traffickers were charged under state law, which is unique as typically these cases are tried under federal law rather than state law (enacted in California 3 years previously).
Brownsville, TX, United States
ICE made arrests on both of the traffickers. Coronado and Zeiger are charged with one count of conspiring to harbor illegal aliens in October 2008, one count of importing aliens for prostitution purposes, one count of attempting to import a minor alien for prostitution purposes, and two counts of harboring aliens for prostitution purposes.
Lake Ronkonkoma, United States
If convicted, the defendants face a sentence of 15 years to life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine in connection with the sex trafficking charges, up to life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine in connection with the forced labor charges, and a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on the alien harboring charges.
Orange County, CA, United States
The State Attorney's office and Orange county sheriff's office resulted in both traffickers being charged
Huepetuhe, Peru, United States
An "agency" (according to an article, nothing else is specified) told the 17 year old girl that she would be provided with a good job in a restaurant in the city of Puerto Maldonado. Instead she was brought to Puerto Maldonado where the 17 year old was forced into sex trafficking. It is in a mining region of Peru where there are many men that work the mines, so there is a high demand for cheap sexual services.
Holbrook, New York, United States
The charges were announced by Benton J. Campbell, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John Morton, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), New York; Richard Dormer, Suffolk County Police Commissioner; Joseph M. Demarest, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), New York Field Office; and Patricia J. Haynes, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Criminal Investigation, New York. The joint investigation revealed that Antonio Rivera, a Registered Sex Offender, and his sister Jasmin Rivera owned and operated the Sonidos de la Frontera bar, located in Lake Ronkonkoma, and the La Hija del Mariachi bar, located in Farmingville. Whaley was employed as a manager in both bars. From September 2007 through the present, the Riveras and Whaley allegedly lured young women, primarily Central American illegal immigrants, to work in the bars as waitresses and hostesses. Some of the women were as young as 17 years of age. As set forth in the complaint, after the women began working in the bars, the defendants forced them to engage in sex acts with bar patrons in exchange for money, with the defendants keeping half of the proceeds. When the women refused or resisted, the defendants used physical force, including rape and assaults, and threatened to report the women to immigration authorities. The defendants also controlled the movement of the women between the bars and other locations in Hempstead, Huntington, and Brentwood, transporting them in vehicles registered to the Riveras and Whaley. The complaint also charges the defendants with conspiring to harbor illegal aliens by concealing the women’s true identities and immigration status from state licensing agencies and law enforcement authorities. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Dormer stated, “These serious crimes against young women will not be tolerated in Suffolk County. This Department values its role as the local law enforcement component of the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force for Long Island. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of the task force paradigm, which coordinates the efforts of local and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as community service agencies, support groups, and educational entities. We hope these arrests will put others on notice that sex trafficking and similar crimes will continue to be a high priority for this Department.” The details of the investigation cannot be found yet, but one article reports: While dozens of women have been working in the bars, the raids are based on evidence provided by four of them who have been cooperating with investigators, according to court papers and sources. One of the women told investigators that she entered the country illegally and was recruited by the operators of the ring as a waitress when she was 17, the court papers said. She said she was repeatedly raped by one of the operators, according to court papers. To stop the rapes, she said she created an imaginary boyfriend. But her attacker told her "Boyfriend! Watch what I'm going to do to you. Your boyfriend will never want to touch you again." Shortly after, a security guard at the club bashed "her head into the pavement of the parking lot" breaking several teeth and causing black eyes, bruises and lacerations, the papers said. Several of the women said that they had been recruited to work as waitresses through ads on Spanish-language Internet sites and newspapers, promising pay of $40 a day plus tips, and half of the price of the $20 shots of tequila they sold to the undocumented clientele, according to papers. Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko said the town had been cooperating with the police and federal investigation.
Jersey City, NJ, United States
Allen Brown Jr. of Jersey City, NJ, along with his mother and niece, were holding women in "stable" like conditions for the past 19 years. Mr. Brown's girlfriend was head of the "stables" and made sure the girls were transported to various locations in Jersey City and NYC, along with keeping track of the money the women made. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were saved by Mr. Brown and placed in family members bank accounts. All those involved in the prostitution ring face up to 20 years in prison, and $200,000 fines.
NOGALES, Ariz, United States
The driver, Luis Antonio Mendoza, 26, of Fresno, Calif. The complaint alleges Mendoza told ICE agents he knew the illegal aliens were in the trailer. He further stated he was to transport the aliens to Eloy, Ariz., were they would be transferred to a different vehicle. According to the complaint, Mendoza said he thought there were only 15 people in the trailer and he expected to be paid $300 per person for transporting them. Material witnesses say they made arrangements in Nogales, Mexico, to be smuggled into the United States and were each to pay the smugglers up to $3,000, with Phoenix being their final destination.
Johnston County, NC, United States
A recruiter from Million Express Manpower, a former labor contracting company out of Mount Olive, NC, lured 30 Thai men to work in Johnston County, North Carolina with a promise of earning $16,000 a year for 3 years. The recruiter charged a fee of $11,000 for each man to "secure" their job abroad. Once they arrived, the labor contractor confiscated their passports and visas. "After about a week living in a motel in Benson, they were moved to a small storage building in Dunn, behind the home of Seo Homsombath, a native of Laos who is president of Million Express." "Homsombath at first contained the men by telling them that, without passports, police would arrest them if they left the property. Later, he showed them a gun, according to both Asanok and the lawsuit. A relative or employee was always at the house to guard them, Asanok said."(Asanok is one of the Thai workers who sued Million Express) "Homsombath delivered food, but it often wasn't enough for all 30 men, Asanok said. They had no kitchen, so they cooked outside on a portable gas burner. By mid-October the farm work ran out, and Homsombath took the workers to New Orleans, the lawsuit says. They spent a few weeks in a condemned hotel, badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina, without electricity or clean water. During the day, the lawsuit says, they demolished parts of the hotel they lived in. Asanok said he spent his days tearing down walls and hauling piles of destroyed carpet out of the hotel." "The Thai workers, including Asanok, say they were never paid for their work in New Orleans. Some were so broke, the suit says, that they trapped and ate pigeons." "Thai Workers Sue North Carolina Contractor" - http://www.humantrafficking.org/updates/601 "Workers: Promise became Prison" - http://www.newsobserver.com/100/story/551923.html "Low Pay and Broken Promises Greet Guest Workers" - http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/28/us/28labor.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Low%20Pay%20and%20Broken%20Promises%20Greet%20Guest%20Workers%20&st=cse This case is also mentioned in Kevin Bales and Ron Soodalter's book, "The Slave Next Door"
Murray Avenue, Squirel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
American Woman married to man from Thailand who own The Silk Elephant import workers from Thailand, keep them in a very small apartment above the restaurant (at least 12 total) and make them work long hours with little pay (paid under the table) in restaurant below. They are baited with the possiblity of green cards and kept as indentured slaves - owing the owner for rent, food, clothing, etc. Eventually they are sent back to Thailand - so said a former employee of the establishment. The same owners own another restaurant in the city with two floors above as well for their employees to live there.
Jamaica, New York, United States
Wun Hee Kang and Kyongja Kang, a married couple of South Korean origin who owned several nail salons on Long Island and a bar known as Renaissance in Queens, New York. In April 2003, Kyongja Kang traveled to South Korea to recruit young women to work at Renaissance. She allegedly promised them that they would be paid $40 per day, plus tips, and would not be required to have sexual relations with the customers while working at the bar. Two young women agreed to accompany Mrs. Kang back to New York, arriving on May 30, 2003. Upon arriving Mr. Kang met the cooperating witnesses when they arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport and drove the young women to a house in Flushing, Queens, where they were thereafter required to live. Mr. Kang also forced the women to surrender their passports and their return airline tickets. The women began work at Renaissance the next day, working 6 1/2 hour shifts for six days per week. The women were informed that they each owed the Kangs approximately $20,000 for various travel-related expenses, and were forced to sign promissory notes in the amount of $20,000. They were not permitted to keep their wages or tips while working at Renaissance; all of their income was taken by the Kangs and credited toward their "debt." The women were not permitted to leave the house in which they were staying without the Kangs' permission and were forced to borrow money from the Kangs when they wished to make any purchases outside the bar, thereby increasing their indebtedness. In November 2005, Wun Hee Kang and Kyongja Kang pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them. Kyongja Kang was sentenced to just over 10 years in federal prison Friday for her role in a human trafficking operation. She was also ordered to pay the two victims a total of $90,000 in restitution. As part of her plea bargain, Kang and her spouse are surrendering interest in two homes in Port Jefferson and the Renaissance Bar, as well as nail salons in Selden and Westhampton. Kang is also forfeiting $15,000 in cash and more than $50,000 in jewelry. Wun Hee Kang's sentence is unknown due to his involvement with another case involving the trafficking ring. After he was arrested, Mr. Kang admitted that he sent, Nisim Yushuvayev, an I.N.S. employee, to the Queens apartment to get one of the South Korean woman to leave the country so that she could not testify against him.
Fort Worth, Tx, United States
Angela Galeana de Maddox (34 years old) and her husband, Robert Doyle Maddox (55 years old), brought a 12 year old girl back from Mexico to work as a domestic servant. They bought the girl from her mother for $10 and made promises to send $50 a month. Galeana reportedly beat the girl several times. On one occasion she also tried to make the girl ingest water from a toilet. They plead guilty to charges of forced child labor. Galeana received 7 years imprisonment. Maddox received 2 years 9 months. They were also ordered to pay back wages.
Roselawn, IN, United States
The accused was charged in 1985 with molesting a teen-age girl. He operated Naked City near Roselawn, IN from 1968 to 1986. On March 24, 1986, he agreed to plea guilty to ten sex-related misdemeanors and was given a suspended sentence. He had previously pleaded guilty to obscenity charges in 1982 but according to John Casey, an attorney for Newton County. He later owned and operated a nudist colony, Naked City West, in southern CA. There, he was arrested in 1990 on five felony and four misdemeanor charges including procurring a minor by false inducement for lewd acts and procurement by false inducement for prostitution. In a plea bargain, 28 charges against him from years before were dropped and he pleaded guilty to distribution or exhibition of lewd materials to a minor. He was sentenced up to one year in Riverside County Jail and was to be on probation for five years, fined up to $5000 and have no contact with children or youth other than those whose parents gave permission for such contact, not be permitted to use pornographic materials, and be listed as a sex offender. Male, uses a wheelchair because he suffers from muscular dystrophy 57 in 1990 Formerly of Chicago Ran nudist camps in Newton County, IN and in southern CA Drost’s lawyer blamed his conviction on an attempt to enforce a particular fundamentalist point of view and thereby establish a religion, and sued Newton County, IN for $50 Million and the State of Indiana for $1 billion for alleged violation of his civil rights and similar charges. Agreed to stay out of IN for 10 years Currently lives in Homeland, Riverside County, CA Listed on American Sunbathers’ “Caution List” since 1986 Edits review of national nudist camps & “swing clubs” in the US Acquired “Club Zoro” (founded in 1933 by Chicago lawyer Alois Knapp) from his parents who purchased the club soon after World War II Has there been intervention? Originator of Miss Nude America Contest which was also filmed in 1975 Put in contracts for “Miss Nude America” contest that participants must be willing to sleep with him & meet his every need Originator of Miss Nude Teeny Bopper Universe Contest Sources: http://www.nostatusquo.com/ACLU/NudistHallofShame/Drost.html http://ontheslowtrain.blogspot.com/2007/05/dark-side-of-naked-city.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roselawn,_Indiana http://www.revengeismydestiny.com/cult_movies_hot_100_page_3.html(Some of the articles incorrectly say Roselawn, IL instead of IN which is correct.)
Metropolitan Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Ballard’s case dates back to 2005 when he met a 14-year old runaway girl on Metropolitan Avenue in Atlanta. The teen moved in with him and he immediately began having sex with her. Within a month of meeting the victim, he began to beat and pistol-whip her on a consistent basis and eventually began to prostitute her. At times, Ballard would send the teen out to Metropolitan Avenue to solicit men, other times he brought “clients” to their home. In 2006, the victim’s mother, who had previously reported her daughter as a runaway, spotted the teen walking down the street. She called police who responded immediately and questioned the victim about her eight month ordeal. Ballard was arrested a short-time later.
Michigan City, IN, United States
Male, 45, from Michigan City, IN Trafficker apprehended & in federal custody Transporting children across state lines for purpose of sex Enticing minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for purpose of videoing it Child exploitation Sources: http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/080515southbend1.htm http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0906/090626southbend.htm
Little Rock, AR, United States
one male- Everett Cooney and a female prostituted a minor to pay for their drug habbit. They also got the victim addicted to drugs. Cooney's plea agreement saw the dropping of sex trafficking of a minor to sex trafficking. Female is to stand trial will be in October 2009.
Crossroads Hotel, Harlow Rd. Springfield, OR, United States
FBI Special Agent Augustus Fennerty and several Eugene police detectives met on April 7th at Springfield's Crossroads Hotel following a call from the 17-year-old victim's mother to discover Milton and the above mentioned girl in a hotel room with another victim. She was 14. Eugene police detective Curtis Newell interviewed the older girl to discover that Milton had been "prostituting out" both girls by telling them how much to charge and what to tell johns when they called. The girls were to charge $250/client, with $100 going to Milton and another $100 going to another pimp involved in the operation. The girls received only $50/client.
treasure island, florida, United States
Authorities say this is the first case in the area, perhaps in the state, where the victims are local residents, recruited and held hostage. The first discovered victim was raped, assaulted, threatened with bodily harm or death if she fled and was forced to work as a prostitute. She was also forced to dance at the Vegas Showgirls nightclub in St. Petersburg. Officials say there are more victims being discovered. and that they are aware of drugs being involved. They brought women to the $600,000 home in Treasure Island with promises of prosperity, deputies say, then took their phones and identification and began a cycle of sexual and mental torture and mind control until the girls felt like they had nowhere else to go. They brought the women to strip clubs, where they were forced to dance and sell themselves while trailed by "handlers." The girls were also forced to recruit other girls. Sources: http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article999813.ece http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article1000126.ece
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States
"For decades Portsmouth’s secret was an evolving red light district on the waterfront. Famous worldwide, locals talked about it in whispers. But in 1912 a 14-year old girl briefly told reporters about her abduction to a local brothel by an older woman. Although Portsmouth, NH had a thriving “combat zone”at the turn of the 20th century, it remained a hush-hush topic in the local media. Brothels on Water Street (now Marcy) in what is now the city’s gentrified waterfront were simply referred to in print as "houses." Female prostitutes, often underage, were called "inmates" according to one news report, or simply "women." The most explicit phrase of the era used in newspapers was "house of ill repute." Despite attempts to clean up the corrupt area in the Victorian era, local police conspired with bordello* and illegal bar owners to keep the red light district open and profitable. Police who attempted to clean up the area sometimes met a violent response. In 1912 a series of murders drew public attention to the situation in the South End and led to the closing of most houses of ill repute. During that summer a rare interview with a 14-year old girl appeared on the front page of a Portsmouth newspaper. Ethel Duffy was kidnapped while staying with friends in Dover, apparently drugged and brought to a Portsmouth bordello. Constance Perry, 25, her abductor, was held on $5,000 bail for what reporters called "white slavery.” Unable to place Duffy in a local bordello, Perry chose to solicit men on the Portsmouth streets who "assaulted" the girl as she stayed with Perry in a room on Deer Street. Police arrested two men who had reportedly paid Perry for access to the girl who was in "a pitiful condition" when she was brought to the police station. Ethel Duffy herself was held on a $500 bond to keep her available as a witness against Perry. Duffy’s published account, apparently in her own words, offers a rare glimpse inside the city’s flesh trade." From the Human Trafficking in New Hampshire Report issued by the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
Pasadena ISD High School, United States
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott & a concerted effort between multiple law enforcement organizations including Pasadena Independent School District Police Department and the FBI. Three-count indictment was returned under seal by a Houston grand jury on 7/8/09 and unsealed 7/23/09 following Davis' arrest. The indictment also seeks to forfeit Davis' interest in a 2002 Mercedez Benz, a laptop, flashdrives, photographs and paperwork.
fort lewis, washington, United States
The case is being investigated by the FBI and Lakewood Police Department as part of the Innocence Lost Task Force. Substantial assistance was provided by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kate Crisham and Bruce Miyake. Hospedale is charged with Sex Trafficking of a Child and Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Child. Sex Trafficking of a Juvenile is punishable by a mandatory minimum ten years in prison up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. CASE UPDATE: Hospedales pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on July 20, 2010, to Sex Trafficking of a Child and Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Child: Agreeing that the parties would advocate for a term of imprisonment of between ten to fifteen years in prison. A Sentencing on October 25, 2010, U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle may impose the sentence he believes is appropriate from the mandatory minimum of ten years imprisonment up to the statutory maximum of life in prison. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Hospedales is required to register as a sex offender when released from prison. The U.S. Army is in the process of dishonorably discharging Hospedales from the military.
Aloha, Oregon, United States
Los Angeles Police received a call from Cherise's mother after she called her mother when she was stuck in a hotel room with Green. The case was investigated by the Beaverton police force as well. The Oregon Trafficking Task Force, a group of federal and local agencies also took part in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Kerin. U.S. District Court Judge Garr M. King was responsible for the sentencing of Green to six years in federal prison and three years of heavy surveillance following the prison sentence.
Concord, New Hampshire, United States
In August 2007, Marianne, a former victim advocate for a domestic violence crisis center located on the Seacoast, received a call from the National Human Trafficking Hotline in New York City. They called to report that a victim of human trafficking in her local area had contacted them asking for assistance. The victim was a 17-year-old woman who had been kidnapped from her native country 5 years before at the age of 12. She had been working for those 5 years as a sex slave in a house in New Hampshire with 5 other young women of similar age. She was seeking refuge and fortunately, in the 45-minute time window she had to get free, she had been able to reach the Trafficking Hotline and the Hotline had been able to reach Marianne. Marianne was told by the Hotline worker that the young woman had not eaten for 2-3 days and that she should be very cautious in feeding her -- only giving her moderate amounts of food and beverage while her system recovered from being starved. The Hotline worker also advised Marianne that the victim had been cut by her captors in the abdomen and might need emergency medical help. 15 After picking up the victim, Marianne connected with the Hotline to inform them of her success. The Hotline then contacted the American Council of Bishops in Washington, DC. There were two people on the line whom Marianne put on speaker phone in the shelter. They wanted to hear from the victim herself. Unfortunately, about two minutes into the call the speakers mentioned that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would be contacted in the process of getting the victim help. Once the victim heard that, she started to pace the office and told Marianne that she wanted to leave. She ended up leaving the shelter and she never saw her again. Marianne stated that she knew at that moment that the mention of the word “immigration”had probably fulfilled a threat her captors had made to her. She concluded, The police didn’t find her. I never saw her again. I don’t know where she went or what happened to her. All I could think of was that she might have been forced to return to her captors in order to “feel safe” from what could happen to her in the “outside world.” I will never forget her. I pray for her and for her mother….and for the rest of the young women who were kidnapped and held against their will in that house in New Hampshire. As difficult as it is to believe that New Hampshire houses victims of human trafficking, I had evidence of such activity right before my eyes. She pointed out that she wasn’t able to protect her or to get her help, so the Commission’s work is very important for providing strong victim advocacy and protection in the future. The Demand for Trafficking in New Hampshire The crime of human sex trafficking can be characterized by a supply and demand relationship. The supply side of sex trafficking involves the men, women and children who are raped, beaten, and psychologically abused, only to then be sexually exploited and “sold” to others who often repeat this same violent cycle. The demand side of sex trafficking, on the other hand, is the 16 people (mostly men) who buy these services. Often referred to as “johns,” these men represent the demand that fuels this worldwide sex industry.
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
"US District Court Judge Carol E. Jackson sentenced Wallace on July 22, 2009 to 20 years in prison and five years of supervised release for a federal civil rights charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion for compelling a young St. Lois woman to commit acts of prostitution." http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-22-2009/0005064605&EDATE=
Saint Paul Minnesota, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Valente Chavez Sanchez,23; Melania "Maritza" Corcino,43; and Jose Altagracia Deleon Corcino,25, operated a sex trafficking ring between 1997 and August 2004 in Raleigh, Fuquay-Varina, and Lillington, North Carolina. They trafficked the women and at least one 14 yr. old minor from New York, New Jersey and Maryland. Sanchez arranged the transportation of prostitutes from NY, NJ and MD. "The women typically would work a week in a brothel in Raleigh or Durham and then be exchanged for other out-of-state prostitutes. The price Sanchez paid for each new prostitute was $130"(N&O). Women were kept "under lock and key" and were not allowed to quit. "Where the minor was found, there were armed guards at the house," Rangarajan said. Corcino "was barking orders and even offered her service [to investigators]"(N&O). N&O, "Brothel Workers Enslaved," - http://www.newsobserver.com/news/sheehan/2005/story/369695.html N&O, "Three Accused of Operating Brothels," - http://www.newsobserver.com/news/wake/raleigh/story/351559.html N&O, "Woman Sentenced in Brothel Case," - http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1090025.html ABC 11, "Uncovering Secret Brothels," - http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news&id=3924744 News 14, "Raleigh Man Pleads Guilty to child sex trafficking," - http://news14.com/Default.aspx?ArID=78154
East Memphis, tennessee, United States
Joey Haring and Bradley Pryor picked up two 16 year olds and a 17 year old girl and took them to an East Memphis motel, offering them money for sex. According to court records, the men also hoped to sell one of the teens using an internet ad.
Super 8 motel, Brown Avenue, Manchester, NH, United States
Uche Ifedikwa, 28, of Hyde Park was prostituting females out of the Super 8 on Brown Avenue in Manchester, NH using craigslist.org. Police said Ifedikwa was using hotels in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachussetts. They are certain that an 18 year old female was being prostituted, and suspect that a girl as young as 12 was also being prostituted.
Los Angeles, CA, United States
On April 11, 2006, after a multi-agency investigation by ICE, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, and the LA County Sheriff’s Department, agents conducted a raid of eight locations, including the brothels and homes of the suspects. Mao, Lutt, and Johnson were arrested on April 11, 2006, on a 40-count indictment. Fields remained a fugitive, but was found and arrested on a later date. On August 2, 2007, Mao pleaded guilty to two felony counts--conspiring to use interstate commerce to promote prostitution, and using the proceeds from the brothels to purchase real estate, including four motocross tracks for her motocross company, MX Oasis. Mao will serve 18 months in federal prison and forfeit $10 million worth of real estate. Fields pleaded guilty to two felony counts—conspiring to use interstate commerce to promote prostitution, and conspiring to engage in money laundering. Johnson pleaded guilty to one felony count of money laundering.
New Orleans Louisiana, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States
Montgomery Alabama, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States
Boston Massachusetts, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States
Houston Texas, United States
Unknown at this time as the ranch where the slavery occurred has not been located.
Springfield Oregon, United States
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/springfield_man_accused_of_chi.html
Las Vegas Nevada, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States
Tallahasse Florida, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States
East Riverside Drive Austin TX, United States
43-year-old Ismael Alvarez and several other men held the three victims in an apartment on East Riverside Drive after the victims had crossed illegally into the country in September, according to the affidavit. Ismael Alvarez was arrested.
Tucson, United States
ROGERS was then arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and formally charged Tuesday with attempting to travel to Mexico to engage in illicit sexual behavior with a minor
Phoenix Arizona, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States
Columbia South Carolina, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States
Trenton New Jersey, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y, United States
Wealthy long Island couple who enslaved two Indonesians. Would beat them with brooms, slash them with knives and make them sleep in the kitchen on mats. actual article: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,381243,00.html
Arlington, United States
Below is a link and the text of a news article reporting the indictment: http://cbs2.com/national/slave.domestic.servitude.2.1364018.html Dec 11, 2009 7:00 am US/Pacific Texas Couple Accused Of Keeping Mother As Slave Husband, Wife Allegedly Kept Woman In Servitude 9 Years; Also Accused Of Sexual Assault FORT WORTH (CBS) ― [Click to zoom.] Click to enlarge 1 of 1 CBS Close numSlides of totalImages Related Slideshows News Year In Review 2009 Related Stories * Archaeologists Find Remains of 1841 Slave Ship (11/25/2008) * Prosecutors: Afghan Girl Kept As Slave In Seattle (10/17/2008) * Fla. Woman Gets Jail In Teen Slave Case (5/20/2008) Related Links * KTVT-TV Local Coverage A federal grand jury has formally accused an Arlington couple of keeping a widowed, Nigerian mother of six in domestic servitude, or in essence holding her as their slave. According to the Justice Department, husband and wife, Emmanuel and Ngozi Nnaji, held the woman for nine years. Officials believe the Nnajis promised the woman that she would be paid, and there would be support for her children, if she came to work for them as a domestic servant, reports CBS station KTVT-TV in Dallas. The abuse allegedly happened while the couple lived at a house in the 1500 block of Green Hill Drive, in Arlington. KTVT went there and tried to speak to a woman who came out of the house, but she had nothing to say. We're told the victim no longer lives at the house. Part of the seven-count indictment alleges that the couple used unscrupulous means to get fraudulent immigration documents, confiscated the victim's official documents, secretly kept her in their home and forced her to work long hours with no days off for little or no pay. Emmanuel Nnaji is also accused of sexually assaulting the victim and threatening the woman if she called police. Ngozi Nnaji is a Nigerian national. Click here to read the entire U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas criminal complaint against Emmanuel and Ngozi Nnaji. Officials claim the couple kept the woman isolated from the outside world and refused her requests to be returned home or be paid for her services. Along with not paying the victim, the couple also allegedly failed to provide support for the victim's children back in Nigeria. Contact with her Nigerian family was also monitored and she was prevented from attending church regularly. The couple, who have been charged with conspiracy, forced labor, document servitude, alien harboring and false statements, was arrested on September 30. Both Ngozi and Emmanuel Nnaji face up to 55 years in prison, if convicted. Since Ngozi Nnaji is not a U.S. citizen, if she is convicted she also faces deportation. KTVT spoke to Ngozi Nnaji's attorney who said his client will plead not guilty and that they plan to challenge the charges. The case is being investigated by the FBI. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Lenexa, KS, United States
Richard J. Oflyng, 32, of Ottawa, Kan He admitted driving to an area residence, where he expected to meet a pimp offering him an 11-year-old girl for sex.
Metropolitan Parkway Atlanta, GA, United States
A Fulton County jury convicted a 26-year-old Atlanta man Thursday of transporting his 16-year-old first cousin to Metropolitan Parkway for prostitution. Zaccheus Obie, arrested in January, will be sentenced Wednesday for one count of pimping a minor, which could get him as much as 20 years in prison. According to testimony, police learned of Obie after the girl was arrested in May 2008 but he could have been running his operation for as long as four years. He bought her clothes and paid to have her hair done before she was sent to stroll Metropolitan Parkway. Obie took her money, according to testimony. While the case involving his 16-year-old cousin has been resolved, he also is charged with raping the girl’s younger sister, also Obie’s first cousin. That case has not been taken to trial.
Duke University NC, United States
Frank M. Lombard, 42, was arrested last week at his home in Durham, North Carolina. During an Internet chat, Lombard allegedly offered the child to the person he was chatting with, who was a task force officer from Washington's Metropolitan Police, the FBI said in a statement. Lombard is the associate director of Duke University's Center for Health Policy, but was placed on unpaid administrative leave, effective immediately, last week, university spokesman Keith Lawrence said. The chat was initiated after a confidential source facing child pornography charges told authorities they had witnessed a man, allegedly Lombard, performing sex acts on a child over the Internet. During the chat, according to the complaint filed against Lombard, he told the officer that he had performed multiple sex acts on the boy and that the officer could do the same if he came to Durham.
Honolulu, HI, United States
Police arrested Felix Thaxton, of Honolulu, Tuesday on two counts of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of third-degree sex assault, two counts of promoting prostitution and one count of criminal solicitation.
Alameda County, California, United States
The minor was arrested for solicitation. Trafficker was not tracked down or prosecuted.
Portland, OR, United States
Donnico T. Johnson, 37., and co-defendent Lisa Miles, 30. Portlanders. Johnson is being charged with sex trafficking, trasportation of a minor and coercion, and enticement of the girl.
Portland, OR, United States
The case was brought on by the Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tigard Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kemp L. Strickland is prosecuting the case for the U.S. Attorney Office of Oregon. Jackson was arrested 5/11 and a jury trial is set for 8/11/09.
Otis, Oregon, United States
Ramon Lopez-Montanez, 39. Origionally from Salem. One of four Lopez-Montanez brothers that operated a big trafficking ring. The victim, Mayra Martina Hernandez-Vargas (15 at time of caputre) was approached by Montanez at her coffee shop in Guadalajara where she worked. He invited her to a party, she got permission from her grandmother, and got in his car. She was taken to a brothel and traveled to LA, Northern California, and finally OR where she tended to the brothers marijuana fields. He was growing marijuana in Otis and Salem, OR.
Minnesota (City unknown), United States
An Eden Prairie resident helped Tatiana escape to a battered women shelter. She eventually got connected with Civil Society.
Buena Vista, California, United States
A Mexican couple named Paula Luna Alvarez and Carlos Contreras Del Carmen, wealthy restaurant owners in San Jose, CA, allegedly brought in approximately 30 Mexicans over an undisclosed period of time. Mr. del Carmen recruited Mexicans, promising them $500/week to come and work in the United States, but when they arrived, they were forced to live in squalid conditions in the families' garage. They were forced to sell food on the street or work in the restaurants, and were ordered to avoid speaking to anyone and to avoid eye contact. The restaurants also have been a front for money laundering, with thousands of dollars passing through them to Mexico, though little of it ended up with the families of the victims.
Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
http://www.krdo.com/Global/story.asp?S=10584240 15 people have been arrested for charges of child pornography. It is possible that 10 more people could be arrested.
Pound Ridge, New York, United States
65 year old Author of "The International Who's Who of Chefs 2004-2005" Joseph Yannai surrendered himself to police authorities may 18, 2009 after allegations of human trafficking and sexual abuse. He promissed to pay the girls $2000.00 a month to work for him, and have housing elsewhere, also receiving $20,000.00 at the end of the year. The girls realized very quickly something was not right. Their e-mails were monitered, they did not get any spending money, and there were pictures of Joseph having sex with other women up to six or seven who are believed to be victims. There are allegations that these women were forced to do manual labour for Joseph as well as being forced into sexual acts with Joseph.
Minneapolis, MN, United States
Law enforcement received an anonymous email from a "john" suggesting that Warren may have been using juveniles. Police followed the lead to one of Warren's ads and initiated an undercover sting operation. The sting agent responded to the ad and met the 23 yr old at a Minneapolis hotel bar, where she said she could provide a 16 yr old for an additional fee. Police surveillance captured Warren driving the sisters to the hotel, where the three were subsequently arrested. Tye 23 yr old claims to have been prostituted since the age of 15, and that a heroin dependency kept her in the business. A large amount of heroin was discovered in Warren's car.
Marietta, Georgia, United States
Police investigation led to the intervention and arrests. From the article: "TBO.com Published: May 28, 2009 Pinellas County sheriff's detectives continue to investigate a human trafficking ring and on Thursday announced the arrest of Roosevelt James "Pudgie" Wade, 31, 1910 Cobb Drive in Marietta, Ga., Wade was charged with one count of human trafficking and remained in the Cobb County Jail in Georgia on Thursday, according to local authorities. Since the initial arrests of three men on May 10, detectives say they have talked to additional victims and witnesses and more charges may be filed. In all, six men have been charged. This week, prosecutors dismissed nudity charges against two dancers at the Vegas Showgirls nightclub because they might be victims of the human trafficking ring, they said. The women had been charged with violating a law that prohibits nudity in an establishment that serves alcohol. The Tribune is not using their names because they are alleged to be the victims of sex crimes. Court documents say female victims were transported from a house in Treasure Island to nude dance clubs - including Vegas Showgirls at 10570 Gandy Blvd. - where one woman was forced to have sex with men, documents say.
Mounds View, Minnesota, United States
The Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force began watching the Jian Kang Massage Center. They also set up a surveillance camera and used agents to act as massage patrons. The video showed a man driving women back and forth from the business to the owners Li and Wang’s apartment. Authorities were finally able to arrest owners Xiu Ju Li and Chun Ming Wang after an undercover investigator said a therapist performed sexual acts on him. The search warrant issued stated that Li and Wang where suspected of illegally coerced foreign women to the U.S. and trapped them into prostitution.
Chula Vista, CA, United States
Darren Hilton, 28, was sentenced February 27th of 2008 to 77 years and four months to life for sexually assaulting four teenagers he had targeted to work for him on the streets. Hilton was convicted in Chula Vista Superior Court in January of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, committing lewd acts on a child aged 14 or 15, pandering and kidnapping. A 20-year-old woman who prosecutors said was Hilton's accomplice, Ch'keil Nailon, pleaded guilty last year to pimping and pandering charges and faces three to 12 years in prison
honolulu, United States
rodney king, 43 and sharon-mae nashimura, 30 were convicted by grand jury of 5 counts of sex trafficking
Sacramento California, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States
aiea hawaii, United States
A 19-year-old man charged with "pimping" the services of a 16-year-old girl on the popular Craigslist Web site and forcing her to have sex with him made his initial court appearance yesterday. Advertisement Marcus X. Arrington of Halawa is charged with first-degree promotion of prostitution and second-degree sexual assault. His bail was set at $50,000 and he is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing tomorrow. Also charged with Arrington are Anthony Fuller and Brad Y.K. Young. Both also are charged with promoting prostitution, while Fuller was charged with third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and Young with third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
According to the Department of Justice, twelve defendants including eight Uzbekistan nationals have been charged in a 45-count indictment returned by a grand jury on May 6, 2009 using RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act). Charges include labor racketeering, forced labor trafficking and immigrations, and other violations in 14 states. Those charged include Abrorkhodja Askerkhedjaev, Nadir Yunusov, Rustamjon Shukurov, of Mission, KS; Ilkham Fazilov, Nodirbek Abdoollayev of Kansas City, Mo; Viorel Simon, Alexandru Frumasche both citizens of Moldova residing in Kansas City, KS; Kristin Dougherty of Ellisville, MO, Andrew Cole of St. Charles, MO, Abdukakhor Azizkhodjaev of Panama City, FL and Sandjar Agzamov and Jakjongir Kakhkarov who are citizens of Uzbekistan but are currently living abroad.
Douglas Wyoming, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States.
Oak Hill, Tennessee, United States
Timothy Lee, 42, and son Charles Lee, 24 of Arizona were arrested at a hotel south of downtown Nashville and charged with trafficking women in sexual servitude .The victims were a 20 year old from Texas,who was picked up at a bus station and held against her will, a 22 year old woman from Las Vegas and two sisters, ages 22 and 18, from Denver. Detectives later found three of the women advertised in the erotic services sections of three Internet sites. One of the women told police that she had been traveling with the men for the past few years and was not allowed to leave them. The Texas woman was approached with a job offer at a bus station.The women were sold for prostitution in Colorado, California and Idaho as well as Tennessee.
toledo, ohio, United States
This was part of a three day initiative called Operation Cross Country, FBI working with local law enforcement.
Springfield, OR, United States
From the Register Guard on June 11, 2009 (http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/15291266-41/story.csp): A Springfield businessman was sentenced Wednesday to 240 days in jail after pleading guilty to seven felony sex charges relating to his hiring of underage girls as prostitutes. Prasath Boudavong, who owned Far Man restaurant for four years, pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree rape and five counts of third-degree sodomy for sex acts with girls as young as 14 between November 2007 and April of this year. Beginning about two years ago, she said, Boudavong “repeatedly sought out children to have sexual activity with, and regularly used the same person” to arrange the activity. That person is still under investigation, she said. Eugene police Sgt. Kevin McCarthy said an investigation by the department’s vice detectives showed that Boudavong was just “a prolific customer,” not a pimp. Boudavong, a small man with thinning black hair, answered “yes, sir” or “yes, sir, I did” every time Billings asked him if he committed each of the seven felony charges. His attorney, Brian Barnes, told Billings that his client committed the offenses after becoming involved with other men who were “prostituting young girls.” “They were prostitutes when Mr. Boudavong made their acquaintance,” he said of the girls, none of whom could legally consent to sex because they were under the age of 16. “It doesn’t mitigate the fact that he had sex with them, but he was not involved in any way with their original corruption … though he could be said to have contributed to their further delinquency.” Billings agreed with the latter point, and lamented the fact that the girls probably were victims of “grossly dysfunctional homes,” early exposure to substance, physical or sexual abuse that led them to “victimize themselves by taking advantage of the predations of older men.” “I hope, somehow, they can break that cycle,” the judge said. Oregon Corporation Commission records show that Keo Boudavong replaced Prasath Boudavong as president of the Gateway area Chinese restaurant this week. Prasath Boudavong is no longer an owner, according to Eugene attorney Jill Featherstonhaugh, authorized agent for the business.
Kansas City/Branson, Missouri, United States
This is an alleged case of trafficking released on May 27, 2009. All parties are innocent until proven guilty. Twelve people — eight of them from Uzbekistan — are accused in a federal indictment of luring illegal immigrants to the U.S. to work as "modern-day slaves" in 14 states. The enterprise — based out of companies headquartered in Kansas City, Mission and Overland Park — allegedly employed hundreds of illegal aliens as construction workers and as cleaners and housekeepers at hotels, resorts and casinos in Missouri, Kansas, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, South Carolina and Wyoming. Those named in the indictment: Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States. Three companies controlled by Askarkhodjaev also were charged: Giant Labor Solutions LLC, headquartered in Kansas City; Crystal Management Inc. in Mission; and Five Star Cleaning LLC in Overland Park.
Milwaukee, WI, USA, United States
Acting United States Attorney Michelle L. Jacobs announced that a federal grand jury on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, indicted Todd Carter, 39, and his son, Nicholas Harrison, 19, both from Milwaukee on multiple counts of sex trafficking of children, transporting children across state lines for the purpose of engaging in prostitution, and conspiracy to do so, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591, 2423(a), and 371. If convicted of the charged offenses, both men face a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Each also face fines of $250,000 on each count. Acting United States Attorney Michelle L. Jacobs announced that a federal grand jury on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, indicted Todd Carter, 39, and his son, Nicholas Harrison, 19, both from Milwaukee on multiple counts of sex trafficking of children, transporting children across state lines for the purpose of engaging in prostitution, and conspiracy to do so, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591, 2423(a), and 371. If convicted of the charged offenses, both men face a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Each also face fines of $250,000 on each count. Harrison was being held Thursday February 26th 2009, at the Milwaukee County Jail. A U.S. magistrate had approved his release on a $40,000 property bond but that order was stayed when federal prosecutors objected. An appeal on that ruling is pending. Carter was ordered held until trial, according to online court records. He is scheduled to be arraigned and enter a plea on Tuesday, while Harrison's arraignment and plea hearing is scheduled for three days later.
Tampa, Florida, United States
Deputies arrested Kenyatta Cornelous, 38, Edward Jones, 47, and Corinna Shaffer, 24, all of Treasure Island, this weekend. Cornelous, being held without bail, is charged with sexual battery, and all three are charged with human trafficking. Deputies also are looking for Colin Anthony Dyer, 36, in connection with the case.
Fayetteville, NC, United States
Woman charged with prostituting a 14-year-old girl to support her drug habit. "20-year-old Sandra Panecka coerced the girl to run away from home in 2007 and then introduced her to drugs. They say Panecka eventually encouraged the girl to begin prostituting herself so they could both continue to buy cocaine. The victim says she was physically and sexually assaulted and was infected with sexually-transmitted diseases." http://news14.com/Default.aspx?ArID=607111
adult entertainment club at 5343 N.C. 87 South. graham NC, United States
Based on this information, the department started an undercover operation on Feb. 12.09 From that date through May 29, two undercover officers, who carried audio and video surveillance equipment, visited the club once a week to gather information. During that time, the affidavit said, the undercover officers documented about 288 violations of the county ordinance that regulates sexually oriented businesses, at least 349 violations of conduct in a licensed premise, and 17 drug violations.
Casper Wyoming, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States.
Denver Colorado, United States
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States
Vista, California, United States
"VISTA -- Authorities shut down nine businesses and arrested 22 women during an undercover prostitution sting Wednesday afternoon in Vista, officials said. The operation targeted Asian day spas and acupuncturists suspected of plying the illegal trade. Some of the businesses appeared to have living and eating quarters for the women, according to authorities. The bust followed prostitution complaints by the public and several months of investigation by the Sheriff's Department and Vista officials. View the slideshow of Sheriff's Department photos "The city is determined to stop this," said Vista City Attorney Darold Pieper, adding that a spike in massage therapist permit applications helped spur the investigation. "We don't want this here," added Vista sheriff's Capt. Tim Curran, calling investigator's efforts "aggressive." Many of the 22 women arrested are Chinese citizens and some are in the country illegally, the captain said. The women face misdemeanor charges for prostitution, illegal touching and various city health and safety violations stemming from the presence of living and eating quarters inside the businesses. The following businesses were shut down: Touch of Asian Day Spa, Seren Acu-Care, Melrose Spa, Vista Town Spa, Bright Acupuncture, JW Acupuncture, Li Jun Acupuncture I, Li Jun Acupuncture II and Vista Health Center, sheriff's officials said. In photos of the sting released by authorities, several women are shown with their hands restrained and heads down. One photo shows clothing strewn on a bed, a large plastic tub filled with blankets and what appears to be a family photograph framed and sitting at the front of the bed. Authorities had not determined Wednesday whether some of the women owned or operated the establishments. Owners and operators could face charges of felony conspiracy to promote prostitution, officials said. County prosecutors will determine whether to pursue additional charges. Call staff writer Chris Nichols at 760-740-5426." Article from the North County Times
Southeast Houston, United States
Three traffickers: Jorge Montano, 24 Sonia Tecuapacho Jorge Aguila-Cuapio, 19 smuggled a 15-year-old teen from Mexico and forced her into prostitution.
Glendale, Colorado, United States
A state grand jury has indicted 15 illegal immigrants on suspicion of operating a prostitution ring that dates back to at least 2006. Colorado Attorney General John Suthers told 7NEWS that the group operated 11 brothels in Denver, Longmont and Glenwood Springs. Suthers said the brothels operated under the name Mi Casa Su Casa and were headed by Sonia Montoya-Cadena. At each location, the indictment said, the brothels would collect $40 to $50 from each patron for 15 minutes of sex. The house would split the money with the prostitutes. After the patrons paid for sex, they would receive a glass bead or other object to give the prostitutes to show they had paid, the indictment alleged.
las vegas, nv, United States
Weicks was arrested by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Officers on October 30, 2004 near the intersection of Las Vegas Blvd. and St. Louis Streets. Officers recovered a loaded 38 caliber revolver from his vehicle. Weicks claimed to be carrying the firearm to protect the minor. Under federal law he was prohibited from carrying the firearm due to earlier convictions.
East Hazel Crest, Illinois, United States
Cook County Sheriff's Police Department arrested both individuals on Nov. 5, 2008.
Midvale, Utah, United States
DeWayne Eugene Hopkins, 27, and Julia Young, 19, allegedly sold four females for sex over Craigslist.com, ages 24, two are 17, and 15. The pair were indicted with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children, even though all girls willingly participated in the activity. The pair are also facing charges of child pornography for posting pictures of the girls on craigslist.com, backpage.com, and cityvibe.com. Girls were lured in with the promises of employment and quick money, and were directed to recruit other teens to also work as escorts.
Lexington,Ky, United States
The alleged perpetrator kidnapped an underage minor from Guatemala where she was held captive for 20+ years. At some point during her captivity the victim was brought to the United States and then moved to Kentucky. The perpetrator fathered two children with the victim during her time in captivity.
Temple Terrace, Florida, United States
A two month investigation led to the arrests of 38-year-old Kenyatta Cornelous, 47-year-old Edward Jones and 24-year-old Corinna Shaffer, all of Treasure Island. All have been charged with human trafficking, a 2nd degree felony. Kenyatta Cornelous, 38, Edward Jones, 47, and Corinna Shaffer, 24, all listed their address as the home at 10214 Tarpon Drive. Cornelous is charged with sexual battery, human trafficking and deriving proceeds from prostitution, the sheriff's office said. He was being held without bail on the sexual battery charge. His bail on the other charges totals $60,000. Jones is charged with human trafficking and was being held on $50,000 bail. Shaffer is charged with human trafficking and deriving proceeds from prostitution and was being held on bail totaling $60,000.
Lexington,KY, United States
This trafficker allegedly kidnapped his victim from Guatemala and forced her to live and work for him for 20 years. They moved to Lexington, KY about 5 years ago. He disappeared 2 years ago and his current whereabouts are unknown. The trafficker is also the father of his victims 2 adult children.
Toledo, Ohio, United States
Franklin Robinson, David Powers, Shimon Maxwell, Robert D. Scott, Robert D. Scott II, Terrence Williams, Kenneth B, Tana Adkins, Melissa Jacobs, Derick Price, Derek Maes, and Eric Pennington among others were arrested and are under federal indictment with prostitution-related charges. They were herding minors from the Toledo area, across state lines, to work in an organized sex ring.
Seattle, United States
Federal authorities have charged Sean Jarae Hart in an 11-count indictment with sex trafficking of a child for allegedly transporting a young girl across state lines for the purpose of prostitution. Sean Jarae Hart, also known as Hush, was in custody in the Portland area after being arrested in Oregon, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Otake said. The Trial took place in Seattle.
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Honolulu police, the U.S. Immigrations and Custom Enforcement and the state Department of Public Safety conducted a human trafficking investigation at massage parlors in Honolulu from Feb. 18 to March 3, police said. They arrested a 27 year old man who came after a 24-year-old woman. She came forward and said she was coerced into working as a prostitute for the man who used a firearm to threaten her.
Medina, Tennessee, United States
Mark Burns, 48 was indicted by the Carroll County Grand Jury on two more counts of Aggravated Rape in addition to his previous charges of 10 counts of Aggravated Statutory Rape, 5 counts of Rape, 4 counts of Aggravated Rape, 2 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, 1 count of Trafficking for Sexual Servitude and 1 count of Evading Arrest. He also previously violated his parole on three counts of Attempted Murder. Burns’ girlfriend, Lindsey Marie Tutor, 26, of Lexington, TN was also involved in abusing the victim with Burns. She was charged with 6 counts of Statutory Rape, 6 counts of Rape and 4 counts of Aggravated Rape. The charges stemmed from one victim who was repeatedly abused in 2008, but additional victims came forward after TBI arrested Burns in January 2009.
San Marcos, Florida, United States
Sheriff's deputies and the FBI arrested Charles Tyrone Young, 28, in San Marco for using MySpace, Craigslist and other Web sites to lure teenage girls into prostitution. Young goes by the name "Stay Down" and has a home in Las Vegas. Anyone with information about this alleged pimp is asked to call the FBI's Los Angeles office at (310)477-6565.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
According to United States Attorney Nahmias, the charges and other information presented in court: On February 21, 2009, local law enforcement officers, working in conjunction with the FBI, arrested PRUITT and HARRIS at a hotel in the Atlanta, Georgia, area, after agents arrived at the hotel to investigate possible illegal activity involving underage girls recruited to work as prostitutes. At the hotel, the agents encountered the 17-year old victim, whose photographs the agents had previously seen on an internet website advertising erotic services. The FBI believed that the victim, whose advertisement listed her age as 19 years, was a juvenile. While at the hotel the victim agreed to cooperate with agents and explained that PRUITT and HARRIS brought her to the hotel to work as a prostitute. The victim further explained that, after meeting PRUITT and HARRIS on February 20, 2009, HARRIS took nude photographs of the victim at a hotel that HARRIS then uploaded onto the “Craigslist” internet website. Within approximately 25 minutes, HARRIS began receiving telephone calls regarding the victim’s advertisement. Subsequently, PRUITT and HARRIS allegedly caused the victim to engage in commercial sex acts with approximately 13 men between February 20, 2009, and February 21, 2009. The defendants knew that the victim was 17 years old, but cautioned her to state that she was 19 years old. The defendants kept all of the money earned by the victim. The indictment charges PRUITT and HARRIS with one count of conspiring to commit sex trafficking of a minor, and a second count charging PRUITT with the substantive offense of sex trafficking of a minor. Count One of the indictment carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Count Two carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Pooler, GA, United States
Police had received reports from neighboring businesses, legitimate masseuses, and a local woman about the J Spa. It featured Asian women in bikini tops and miniskirts offering full-body rub-downs and a range of sexual services for $100-130. The employees lived at the massage parlor, and it was open till 2am. It was noted that local men, aged 40-85, were visiting the spa around the clock. The police set up a bust, but the spa was empty. One "employee" was charged with prostitution. She was taken to jail and released on cash bond the next day.
Savannah, GA, United States
Police had received reports from neighboring businesses, legitimate masseuses, and a local woman about the VIP Spa. It featured Asian women in bikini tops and miniskirts offering full-body rub-downs and a range of sexual services for $100-130. The employees were living at the massage parlor, and it stayed open till 2am. It was noted that local men, aged 40-85, were visiting the spa around the clock. The police set up a bust, but the spa was empty. They arrested two of the "employees." One was charged with prostitution and the other was charged with masturbation for hire. They were taken to jail and released on cash bond the next day.
West Seattle, WA - 14500 block of Aurora Avenue North, United States
A Renton man, Tyrone A. Bellinger, 24, pleaded guilty to attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor girl, 13. Prosecutors asserted he lured the girl into his car and, after showing her his pistol, forced her to sell herself in August, 2007. According to court documents, the girl's first prospective clients were two undercover King County Sheriff's Office detectives. They arrested the girl on suspiciion of prostitution. Bellinger faces 21-35 months in prison.
Vacaville, CA 95687, United States
[Click to zoom.] Click to enlarge (File) AP 1 of 1 Close numSlides of totalImages A man is arrested and accused of holding a woman hostage and forcing her into prostitution. Police say the woman was held against her will on and off since December of 2007. Authorities say if she didn't follow the suspect's rules, she was beaten. "It's our understanding that she was beaten and forced to go to a certain part of the home and remain there. If she attempted to leave or to get food or go to the bathroom, she would be beaten," police say. Vacaville police say that a 23-year-old woman was held against her will, off an on for more than a year and forced into prostitution. Officers showed up to a Vacaville apartment complex on a disturbance call yesterday, and when they arrived they say 24-year-old Sean Grant didn't cooperate with detectives. nstead, Grant tried to escape out a second story window. Police caught him, which sparked an investigation which led them to a badly beaten woman. "He would beat her with it as an instrument to inflict pain to gain her compliance," detectives tell CBS13. Police say Grant also put her on Craigslist, selling sex, and forced her to prostitute herself on the streets locally in and around the Bay Area. "She started keeping a tally sheet so when she would go to the authorities its our understanding that he located the tally sheet, he destroyed the tally sheet and she was beaten as a result of doing that," say authorities. It started back in October of 2007, when police say the two started dating. The woman tried to get away, but she couldn't. "He had threatened her family with harm if she did not return. When she returned to save her family at that point she was beaten severely as to be taught a lesson that she was not to try and leave," police tell CBS13. Grant is charged with false imprisonment, human trafficking and criminal threats. Detectives say while this woman has been through so much she is doing well and she is safe.
Hollywood, California, United States
Benny and Nissan Pirian (owners of Celebrity Carwash, Five Star Carwash and Hollywood Carwash) and Manuel Rayes (owner of Vermont Hand wash) are up against a maximum of 80 years in prison, over $136,000 in fines each and 176 counts of criminal misconduct, witness intimidation, grand theft, brandishing a deadly weapon (used bat and machete after workers joined union), failure to pay wages (they often paid less than half of minimum wage), hiring minors, operating without workers' compensation insurance, denying workers meal and rest breaks, giving the works recycled water and failure to comply with wage orders of the Industrial Welfare Commission. Many workers also suffered numerous cuts and burns from the dangerous machinery and chemicals used in the carwashes.
Seattle, Washington, United States
As part of the FBI's "Innocence Lost" inniative, almost 50 juvenile prostitutes, including 10 from Seattle, were rescued during a nationwide crackdown by local and federal authorities on pimps who force children to sell sex for money. The youngest girl rescued in Seattle was 13. Thirty- five adult prostitutes also were arrested in Seattle,as well as two men and one woman suspected of promoting minors in prostitution. The suspects were arrested after supervising girls who met undercover detectives in the 200 block of Sixth Avenue North. No names of those arrested were given in the article. This article also gave information about an arrest made in January of Toda Robinson, 33, who dropped off girls to perform sex acts after the girls, both 15, asked an undercover detective if he was a cop, which he denied. They agreed to perform sex acts for $425. Thus he was arrested with two counts of promoting commercial sexual abuse.
Waikiki, United States
At least two underage girls from Hawaii were among those recruited for a prostitution ring that shuffled victims between Honolulu and Detroit for nearly two years and advertised "escort services" on the Internet, federal authorities said yesterday. Four Detroit men were charged in connection with the scheme -- one of four prostitution rings nationwide under investigation since 2003 as part of a federal program aimed at ending human trafficking and child prostitution in the United States. The arrests of 19 people in Hawaii, Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in connection with the rings were announced yesterday at a Washington, D.C., news conference. U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said more than 30 children -- some as young as 12 -- had been forced to have sex. All of the victims were American nationals, and some had been reported missing or had run away because they had been abused at home.
Seattle, WA, United States
A nationwide "Operation Cross Country III" of police and federal agents arrested 35 people in Western Washington as part of a nationwide sweep aimed at curbing the sexual exploitation of children. 48 child prostitutes were rescued; 10 were from Washington State. 571 people were arrested for investigation of state and federal charges involving the domestic trafficking of children for sex.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
A 13-year-old female met a man via a phone chat line who ended up figuring out her address. The man went to her home and kidnapped her. She was raped multiple times, and video of the rapes were posted on the Internet for profit.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
A 14-year-old runaway female was introduced by another girl to a local pimp. The pimp introduced her to drugs, then forced her into sex with multiple partners. When she was about to be sold to another pimp, she broke free and ran for her life. To prevent her from leaving, her pimp shot her in the leg, wounding her, but she managed to get to safety and help.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
A 15-year-old female made the mistake of getting into the car of a man she met at a mall in Atlanta. The man abducted her, imprisoned her in a room at a hotel, for weeks, made money by selling her for sex. She escaped when she left his sight to supposedly take a bath, and hotel guests called the police to help her.
Memphis, United States
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Memphis Police Dept. and the Fayette County Sheriff's Department. The case was prosecuted in US District Court in Memphis.The plea was announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Loretta King and U.S. Attorney Lawrence Laurenzi. Fox faces 10 years to life in prison. He could also be fined $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for May 28, 2009. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Steve Parker and Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Jim Felte. Sentencing has been postponed to July 9, 2009.
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
FBI agents in an undercover sting nabbed three Kansas men who traveled to meet an agent posing as a child. Some of the men crossed state lines to do so. The men used either the telephone, Internet or both to entice the minors into sex acts. The FBI will not comfirm if real minors were involved.
Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
According to the indictment and affidavit supporting the criminal complaint, from April to May 2007 the defendants coerced a minor girl to engage in sex for pay. The indictment further alleges that Royal: coerced two additional minors to engage in sex, for which he was paid; threatened to harm the girls and their families; struck the girls; and held one of the girls at gun point. On several occasions, Royal gave the girls illegal drugs before forcing them to engage in sex with him. Royal drove the girls to hotels in Gaithersburg, Maryland, or caused them to be transported from Maryland to the District of Columbia, to have them engage in sex. The indictment and affidavit further allege that the defendants provided the girls with cocaine, "dippers" or "ciga-wets" (cigarettes dipped in phencyclidine liquid known as PCP), marijuana, and alcohol before coercing them to engage in sex with customers, and sometimes sold cocaine to customers. The defendants gave the girls instructions on pricing for different sexual acts and instructed the girls to lie about their ages. The affidavit also alleges that Bentolila provided her residence and a vehicle to facilitate the sex acts of two of the girls.
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in Little Rock, Ark., for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking for their roles in using force, fraud and coercion to cause juvenile girls and adult women to engage in commercial sex acts. Handy and Cooney allegedly benefitted financially from the conspiracy, which took place from January 2002 to May 2008. Handy was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Portland, OR (Multnomah County), United States
The victim was trafficked from Guatemala to Mexico to the United States by her own half-sister. She worked for her in her home and also for a food processing plant called Fresh Del Monte Produce. She was 17.
Lilburn, Georgia, United States
Shirke is one of six entertainers that were allegedly recruited from India with promises of profits - tips - from their dancing at the bar and restaurant, only to be paid slave wages and have every movement carefully guarded once they arrived in Georgia on Nov. 20. Shirke is worried the arrest of her bosses will shame her parents and brother in Mumbai, India, even though she and the other dancers didn’t participate in prostitution or stripping. The two male performers played in a band while the six women performed traditional folk and Bollywood-style dancing between eight and 14 hours a day, seven days a week at Mehfil Bar, Grill & Entertainment at 1200 Rockbridge Road near Norcross. The doors to the five-bedroom house where the entertainers lived in Lilburn were always dead-bolted from the inside by guards who stayed in the sparsely furnished house with them, Shirke said. She said the girls, who did not have the key to the door, were not permitted to go anywhere without an escort. The eight performers had signed a contract before they left India, stating they would surrender their passports and be confined to their home when they weren’t working, Shirke said. “They said it was for our safety, and we believed them,” Shirke For now, the performers are still staying in the house without keepers and planning to return to India when their visas expire in April.
Moorefield @ 6 1/2 mile road, Alton, TX just nort of McAllen, United States
Victor Campuzano, age 23, of Houston, Texas rented three pick up trucks from National and Hertz rental companies at Bush Intercontinental Airport. National has been fully cooperative, providing all records of the transaction. Campuzano is also forfeiting his personal vehicle to law enforcement. He has been arraigned and will go to trial some time between Oct 2009 and June of 2010. Campuzano posted the $10,000 bond in cash. McAllen detectives expect him to plea bargain out.
Chesterton, IN, United States
Justin Cephus, 31, Stanton Cephus, 28, and Jovan Stewart, 30, all of Hammond, Haneef Jackson-Bey, 20, of East Chicago, and Delbert Patterson, 19, of Steger, Ill., have been charged with conspiring to commit and committing sex trafficking and prostitution violations involving 16 minor and young-adult females. From approximately February 2006 until January 2009, the defendants, led by Justin Cephus, who is charged in each of the 21 counts, ran a prostitution business out of his home and various other locations in and around Hammond,” the statement said. “The business, which advertised in the Yellow Pages in Illinois and Indiana under the names ‘Beauty Escorts,’ ‘Beautiful Entertainment,’ and ‘The Finest and the Best,’ provided sexual services to callers from Northwest Indiana and the Chicago, Ill., area.” “Defendants used a variety of tactics to recruit girls and keep them working for the business, according to the indictment, including handing out business cards to pretty girls at retail outlets and telling them that the business involved ‘promotions,’ ‘modeling,’ ‘house cleaning,’ ‘private dancing,’ or ‘massage therapy,’” the statement said. * Source: http://chestertontribune.com/PoliceFireEmergency/7893%20fbi_seeks_info_in_sex_traffickin.htm (Retrieved 7/20/09)
Toledo, Ohio, United States
Two girls ages 14 and 15 lured into car and forced to service customers at truck stops across state lines in Michigan Accused: Deric Willoughby and accomplices.
Dublin, Ohio, United States
The trafficker, Maria Terechina, is a 47 year old U.S. citizen who immigrated from the Russian federation. She was described by her lawyers as a “Russian grandmother.” The trafficker worked with co-conspirators who have pleaded guilty to charges of harboring immigrants illegally. The trafficker helped trick hundreds of Eastern European (from Russia, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries) women into taking jobs working for hotels in Ohio. She would take the passports and other immigration documents of the women and control their movements. The trafficker would tell the women that they owed debts between $600-$1000 which were taken from their wages and added to the debts by requiring the women to pay for transportation and housing expenses.
Denison, Iowa, United States
“Prosecutors said [the trafficker] who has used addresses in Sioux City and Omaha, Neb., recruited and harbored two Nebraska girls [in 2007] for commercial sexual activity, including prostitution and performing at strip clubs. They said the girls, ages 15 and 16, were runaways.” (Fox News) “[The trafficker] took the girls to Davenport and Rockford, IL, and back to Denison, IA, over several days, and had them engage in prostitution and perform at strip clubs, including Big Earl’s Key Club in Denison.” (Iowa Attorney General) “An anonymous tip led police to rescue one of the girls at Big Earl's [a strip club in Denison]. The other was put on a bus to Washington, D.C., to meet with Russell's cousin and learn to solicit sex. Police in Washington rescued her there.” “The girls testified that they engaged in prostitution and performed at strip clubs including Big Earl's Key Club in Denison. They said they had to give the money they earned to Russell and Ryan in exchange for food, shelter, transportation and clothing. The teens testified they were ashamed with what they were doing, but they felt they had nowhere else to go. One of the teens was with Russell for eight days, the other for 10 days, officials said. “[The suspect] was found guilty of two counts of human trafficking, two counts of pandering and a count of ongoing criminal conduct during a September trial in Crawford County. [He] was sentenced [December 22, 2008] in Crawford County District Court to 25 years on the ongoing criminal conduct charge, and 10 years on each of the other four charges — with all the sentences to be served concurrently. He was also fined $5,000.” (Fox News)
Jacinto City, Texas, United States
Specifically, the indictment alleges these defendants were involved in the recruitment of Mexican women and girls to travel to the United States with the false expectation of legitimate jobs in bars and restaurants beginning in 1999 and using force, fraud, and coercion to compel their service as prostitutes in their bar and restaurant. The indictment further alleges that in 2003 through 2011, the conspirators changed their tactics and relied upon on the services of pimps to supply minor females and young women for use as prostitutes and to maintain control and prevent escape of the minor females and young women. The Rojas allegedly derived their substantial profits initially by doubling the amount of the smuggling fee charged by smugglers ($2,000 fee became $4,000) which was taken from the earnings of the women. A 3-year investigation into the trafficking of young and minor female Mexican nationals for the purpose of prostitution out of Houston area bars and restaurants through force, fraud, and coercion has lead to the indictment of 10 individuals, including the owner/operators of the La Costeñita Bar and El Club Restaurante, U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno announced earlier this week. The 3-count indictment was returned by a Houston grand jury under seal on Tuesday, February 15, 2011. All 10 defendants charged were taken into custody by teams of investigating agents.
Alameda, California, United States
On March 24, 2008, the mother of a 14 year old girl contacted a parole agent, and accused the defendant of “the kidnapping, rape, and pimping of her daughter.” The girl was abducted at gunpoint at a bus stop on March 3. She was then forced with physical threats to prostitute herself over the span of two weeks. She was detained by police on March 17th under suspicion of prostitution. Sullivan was arrested on March 25th at the Bay Breeze Inn in Oakland. A parole search of the defendant’s vehicle provided a digital camera, laptop, a book about pimping, and a cell phone. It was later discovered that the items seized had child pornography on them, which included images and video of the victim. The victim, under the pressure of her mother provided information to the OPD and picked Sullivan out of a lineup.
Blue Springs, Missouri, United States
Todd B. Barkau, with the assistance of the victim’s mother, obtained control of the then-12-year-old girl in 2000. With her mother’s knowledge and consent, Barkau sexually groomed and trained the child to become a BDSM (bondage-domination-sadism-masochism) sexual dominatrix. He did so by engaging in BDSM activities with the child himself, forcing her to engage in sexual activities with other men while he watched, and using BDSM pornography over the Internet to teach her techniques and skills to use as a dominatrix. Barkau resided in the same home as the child and her mother, who allowed Barkau to engage in BDSM activities with the child and teach the child techniques to become a sexual dominatrix. When the child was 14 years old, Barkau created a business out of the home where he advertised the child over the Internet as a 19-to-20-year-old BDSM dominatrix, “Mistress Alisha,” on a website that he created called www.EvilMistressAlisha.com. The victim’s mother suggested the name “Alisha” for the child because it was her own former stripper name. For two years, Barkau sold the child, as “Mistress Alisha,” to sexually dominate men during online web sessions and in-person BDSM activities. This included, among other things, bondage, beatings, burning, and genital mutilation. The customers paid for the sexual services via PayPal cash transfers and with “tributes,” which were products that served in lieu of cash payment; for example, a DVD player, a cappuccino machin,e and other electronics. The victim’s mother knew the child was performing as “Mistress Alisha” on the Internet and in her home and witnessed some of the sessions herself. In committing the offenses, Barkau utilized the victim’s mother to assist and encourage the child to serve as the dominatrix for Barkau’s illegal BDSM business. The victim’s mother accepted financial benefits from Barkau in exchange for her cooperation and support of the child’s BDSM activities. http://kansascity.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel10/kc050510a.htm
Lake Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL, United States
Elodia Capilla Diego, Sergio Gonzalez Ramos, Marcelino Berdou-Lopez
Sacramento, CA, United States
Marvin Chapelle Epps, 23, met 16-yr-old victim on MySpace in September 2008 and offered for her to come work for him, and victim responded. He offered to buy her bus/train ticket for her to come from Solano county to Sacramento. He was her pimp for about three weeks in October 2008. He took erotic pictures of her and placed her advertisement on a number of sexual service sites including massage, escorts, etc. She reported all the money was turned over to him. Epps pleaded guilty on April 12 2010 and is scheduled to be sentenced at 10 am July 26, 2010. He faces the likely minimum 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release and an order of restitution, though numbers may be higher due to specific variables according to the FBI.
Happy Valley, OR, United States
The case was investigated by the Oregon Human Trafficking Taskforce, FBI, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the Portland Police Bureau. Scurry initially was charged with a seven count indictment alleging multiple counts of sex trafficking of a child and interstate prostitution. He plead guilty to one count of sex trafficking of a minor and recieved 84 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Kerin.
York, PA area, United States
Beginning in 2000 until August 2008, Lynda Dieu Phan, Duc Cao Nguyen, and Justin Phan conspired for Lynda Dieu Phan to travel to Vietnam to recruit victims to work in her nail salons located in the York, PA, area. The group arranged fraudulent marriages for the victims so they could gain entry into the United States. The victims were told that they could earn off their debt for being brought to America in 3 years. However, once in the country, the victims were forced to work at Lynda Dieu Phan’s nail salons and as domestic servants in her home. The victims reportedly worked long hours, often 7 days a week, for no pay. They were also said to have worked under emotionally demoralizing circumstances. One of the victims became acquainted with a customer through the nail salon, and it was through this customer that one victim was able to escape. The victim fled from Lynda’s home at 1:30am on June 1, 2008. The other victims were not emancipated until August 2008.
St. Albans, Queens, New York, United States
The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, in August 2008, the 19-year-old victim was “sold” to Brown by an ex-girlfriend who was an acquaintance of the victim’s for $2,000. The defendant told the victim that she would be his “bitch” and that she would work as a prostitute in order to earn him money. Brown also told her that she was not allowed to talk to her family or friends or leave his apartment without him or else he would beat her and cut up her body to make sure that no one would know she was dead. Whenever Brown left the location, he would have someone watch the victim to make sure that she didn’t leave. Trial testimony also revealed that Brown took nude photographs of the victim in various poses and posted the photographs on Craigslist to advertise her services as a prostitute. Testimony showed that during a 12-day period in August the victim engaged in sexual acts with approximately thirty men in exchange for cash – ranging from $60 to $200 – which she turned over to Brown. Finally, on August 23, 2008, the victim managed to escape from Brown’s residence when left alone. However, the next morning, Brown and an unapprehended male found her at a location on Lefferts Avenue near Far Rockaway. Brown and the unapprehended male who was holding a gun approached her and Brown grabbed her by the wrist and said that she had to come back with him to earn him money as a prostitute before forcing her into a car. District Attorney Brown said that Brown and a co-defendant, Nino Isakadze, 21, were originally arrested on August 24, 2008, on charges of raping the victim and forcing her into prostitution. At their arraignments, bail was set at $200,000 for Brown and $50,000 for Isakadze. When the case was about to be presented to a grand jury, authorities learned that the victim had run away. Unable to locate the victim and proceed with the case in a timely fashion, the Court was forced to release the defendants without bail pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law 180.80. The victim was subsequently found on September 23, 2008, when she was arrested on a charge of loitering for the purposes of prostitution. A joint investigation by the New York City Police Department and the Queens District Attorney’s Office revealed that Brown’s brother, Devon Gordon, 27, of 656 Grassmere Terrace in Queens, had paid the victim not to testify and then hid her. Gordon has since pleaded guilty to tampering with a witness and was sentenced to a conditional discharge. Isakadze, who has been indicted on charges of first-degree rape and fourth-degree promoting prostitution, is a fugitive.
South Coast Highway, Oceanside CA, United States
The case was investigated under the Innocence Lost National Initiative, the Department of Justice's Child Exploitation-Obscenity Section, by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the FBI. The US attorney's office "aggresively prosecuted" the case. The federal government was able to apply jusrisdiction to the case because the camera used to take exploitative pictures of the child had been manufactured in Korea. Federal powers also applied because of interstate commerce that took place in the motel and because of the use of the Internet.
Vista, CA, United States
The news article below details the offenses and the initial arrest, By EDWARD SIFUENTES - esifuentes@nctimes.com | Posted: November 25, 2009 8:55 pm SAN DIEGO ---- Two men accused of helping to run a prostitution ring that served migrant camps in North County pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court. The men, Eduardo Aguila-Tecuapacho and Carlos Tzompantzi-Serrano, stood expressionless in a federal courtroom as Judge Louisa Porter read the charge back to them. Both men said in Spanish that they were guilty of harboring illegal immigrants for the purposes of prostitution. Each man faces up to 10 years in prison. They are expected to be sentenced in January. Both are illegal immigrants from Mexico and will likely be deported once they have completed their sentences, Porter said. A third man involved in the case, Adrian Zitlalpopoca-Hernandez, is facing several charges that he brought women across the U.S.-Mexico border to use them in the sex trade. His trial is set to begin next month. Aguila-Tecuapacho helped Zitlalpopoca-Hernandez by renting an apartment in Vista where one of the prostitutes lived, according to court documents. Aguila-Tecuapacho also allowed Zitlalpopoca-Hernandez, who is his cousin, to use his name for cell phone accounts and vehicle registrations for cars that were used to transport the women. Tzompantzi-Serrano acted as a driver taking the women to various North County spots where the women allegedly worked in outdoor brothels, according to federal prosecutors. Zitlalpopoca-Hernandez allegedly befriended at least two women and then forced them into lives of prostitution. In May 2008, Zitlalpopoca-Hernandez allegedly paid a smuggler to bring Anabel de la Cruz-Ramirez, one of the prostitutes, illegally into the U.S. His relatives sheltered her in an apartment on West Los Angeles Drive in Vista. She later relocated to a nearby home at 311 Weston Circle. Once in North County, Zitlalpopoca-Hernandez allegedly took de la Cruz-Ramirez to meet clients in ranches, canyons and apartments, according to court records. He paid her rent, cell phone bills and bought her supplies, such as condoms. Zitlalpopoca-Hernandez, de la Cruz-Ramirez and another woman were arrested on Nov. 20, 2008, when sheriff's deputies stopped the vehicle they were in, in a rural area of Valley Center known as Couzer Canyon, a place authorities say is often used by sex traffickers to set up makeshift prostitution camps. Activists say prostitution is common in North County's migrant camps, where men live in makeshift shanties while working as farm hands and day laborers throughout the region. In recent years, authorities have busted several prostitution rings in the area, but officials say the cases are often difficult to prosecute because the women are often too scared to testify against their pimps.
Bridgeport, CT, United States
This case was investigated by a law enforcement team that was spearheaded by FBI Special Agent Sean O'Malley. Special Agent O'Malley was assisted by IRS Special Agent Colin Burns; the Bridgeport, Conn., Stratford, Conn., Colonie, N.Y., Miami Beach, Fla., and Milford, Mass., Police Departments; and the Connecticut State Police. (this information was found in an article on http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-14-2008/0004774504&EDATE=)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
David Pierre pleaded guilty to sex trafficking a minor on July 15, 2009 and was sentenced in federal court in Fort Lauderdale on October 22, 2009 before U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas to 10 years in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release as a sex offender Jenna Linden pleaded guilty to sex trafficking a minor on August 13, 2009 and was sentenced in federal court on September 23, 2009 before U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas to 5 years in prison to be followed by 3 years
W Avenue 34 Highland Park, CA, United States
Eduardo Marquez, Teodoro Estrada, and Aquilina Alvarez have been indicted for smuggling undocumented alians to different parts of the US from Mexico. Been known to smuggle children and infants.
Reisterstown, Maryland, United States
According to the plea agreement, and the Department of Justice, on October 20, 2008, an adult female traveled from New York to Maryland after Escobar Sanchez agreed to provide housing, transportation, and schedule customers in exchange for a share of the victim’s earnings. Juan Carlos Escobar Sanchez pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve 10 months in prison and consented to voluntary deportation from the United States after he serves his sentence.
Birmingham, MI, United States
The police would not prosecute the men for trafficking because at the time there was no federal law against trafficking, kidnapping, or rape and the case was too late to prosecute.
Settle Inn, I-435 Corridor, Overland Park KS, United States
Annette Marie Simon 50, Heather Michelle Heald 34, forced two women from Texas to sell their bodies at settle Inn hotel at the I-435 corridor. The victims had gone into a trucking company applying for work, they found out it was a prostitution ring, and told that their families would get hurt if they did NOT "get involved".
East Ridge, Tennessee, United States
From Chattanooga Times Free Press, July 28, 2008: One of the most recent cases in Chattanooga occurred July 11, when two people were victims of an apparent “coyote” ransom scam, according to Chattanooga police and U.S. Immigration and Custom officials. The victims told police they paid a man to transport them from Valdosta, Ga., to Oklahoma City to search for work. Once they arrived in Oklahoma, they were kidnapped and told their families would have to pay $15,000 for their freedom. They escaped from the kidnapper’s car in Chattanooga, they told police. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/jul/28/chattanooga-smuggling-related-crimes-increase-spre/ http://www.wdef.com/news/human_trafficking_with_ties_to_chattanooga/07/2008
Glendale, California, United States
Christopher Coleman, 23, and Murphy Lettleton, 32 The girls were forced into prostitution and were told to do whatever was asked of them, They solicited sex for $50 and $60 for other sexual acts, working mostly in the San Fernando Valley, she said. But the girls mostly spent their nights sleeping in a Glendale hotel room The men kept the girls’ earnings, but they bought the girls shoes, clothes and video games and provided them a place to sleep, Razana said. So they stayed with the men because they were afraid to be alone and sleeping on the streets.
West Seattle, WA, United States
A prostitution sting in December 2008 led to the arrest of 6 men, who allegedly prostituted 13 girls and women. One girl was at least 15yrs old at the time. It is alleged that the men used violence and coercion, forcing the girls to walk the street, and give the men their earnings. Five of the men have plead guilty to state related prostitution charges, in order to avoid federal human trafficking charges. The sixth has yet to plead out or face trial.
Syracuse, New York, United States
From news reports by the Syracuse Post Standard, February 27, 2009, and April 20, 2009. "[Tashia] Edwards, 33, of 203 W. Corning Ave., is accused of forcing a 16-year-old girl to have sex with men. The money she was paid was supposedly to reimburse her for the girl spending the night at Edwards' home. According to police reports, the girl voluntarily stayed at Edwards' home in December, but when she tried to leave the next day, Edwards wouldn't let her go. Instead, Edwards told the girl that she owed Edwards money for food and the room for the night, the victim told police. Edwards physically restrained the girl to keep her from leaving, court records said. Edwards took the girl's clothing, leaving her naked, and threatened the girl with physical harm if the girl did not engage in various sex acts with several males to pay off her expenses, court papers said. " -Syracuse Post Standard, 2/27/2009 and 4/20/2009
Buffalo, NY, United States
Multiple arrests were made, with 4 convictions to date: *Ronald H. Tills (18 months in prison) *John Trowbridge (two years probation after) *Michael R. Stebick (probation for two years, ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and directed to provide 250 hours of community service) *Len Wah Chong (six years in prison, five years supervised release)
Bordentown, New Jersey, United States
47 year old man nicknamed " Prince" and 49 year old women nicknamed "China" both from the New Jersey area. They used heorin and beatings to mantain control over the many victims.
Jersey City, NJ, United States
Allen Brown, aka "Prince", age 47 funded a lavish lifestyle by running a trafficking ring for almost two decades. He recruited women all over N.J. from Camden and Philadelphia to Atlantic City to Jersey City, where he lived. He enticed women with promises of money and a better life.The women had their cell phones and identification taken and were locked inside houses or apartments and not allowed to leave or contact others on the outside. Brown had anywhere from 2 - 20 women working for him each night since 1990, forcing them to bring in a set amount of cash each day, usually from $500-$1000. If the women didn't meet his demands, they were sometimes beaten or denied the drugs he kept many addicted to. Six others were also indicted for helping run the ring or for laundering money. Some of these were Brown's relatives, including his mother, niece and nephew. Annie Cooper, 41, of Jersey City, pleaed guilty last month to first-degree racketering. Officers say she acted as the women's boss, enforcing Brown's house rules.
Dallas, TX, United States
Ms. Abrams and Mr. Bell, the woman and man involved, are being charged on felony counts for sexual performance of a child, as well as organized crime.
Fouke, Arkansas, United States
74 year old Bernie Hoffman, more commonly known as Tony Alamo, started the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries in the late 1990s. The Tony Alamo Christian MInistries have compounds in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Jersey. The Arkansas compound started had 100 followers, and Alamo "preached that young girls made the best wives." Alamo transported five underage girls across state lines for sex. Three out of the five girls openly said Alamo sexually abused them. Among these criminal accounts, since the 1970s Alamo was alleged of "kidnapping, brainwashing, child abuse.."
Dallas, Texas, United States
Most recently, two incidents in the beginning of 2008 brought DMST into the public eye. The first involved the arrest of two minors, one charged with prostitution and the other with compelling prostitution. One of the 13 year old girls was detained for soliciting a date of prostitution from an undercover Vice officer. The CE/HRVTU was notified and an investigation was initiated. During the investigation another 13 year old was identified. The 13 year old who was arrested for prostitution was placed at Letot, a public-private organization that partners with the Dallas County Juvenile Justice Department. The 13 year old later (placed at Letot) told police she was invited to the nightclub and compelled into prostitution by her friend, the other 13-year-old recovered from the nightclub. The second 13-year-old was arrested for compelling prostitution as a result of her actions (Recruiting, Directing, etc.). Reports suggest that an adult associated with the 13-year-old is involved.19 Confirmed through an interview with the DPD, CE/HRVTU an adult female was arrested and charged with Felony Child Endangerment related to the exploitation of both girls. The adult female was the aunt of the 13 year old who was arrested for compelling prostitution.
queens, new york, United States
The girl left her home in Brooklyn on Jan. 10 and encountered someone identified only as Drama who offered to find her a job dancing at parties and introduced her to Ms. Brown, the police said. Ms. Brown told the girl that she had been “purchased” for $500 and had to work off her debt as a prostitute. She introduced Detective Taylor as her husband, the police said, although they described the couple as boyfriend and girlfriend. Detective Taylor, a 14-year-member of the Police Department assigned to the Housing Bureau, who was suspended without pay upon his arrest, set prices of $40 for oral sex and $80 for intercourse and instructed the girl to give her age as 19, investigators said. The girl was taken to a party in a barbershop, where she was forced to have sex for money that was then turned over to the suspects, the police said. That routine was repeated in the following days as the couple drove her and other prostitutes to other parties in Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn, investigators said. At one point, the suspects complained that the girl was not earning enough money, the police said, and Ms. Brown slammed the girl’s head to the floor and other prostitutes hit her. Detective Taylor threatened the girl that if she did not earn more, he would force her into streetwalking, the police said.
somerville, Mass., United States
A detective later called a sex-for-sale advertisement and posed as a prospective client to arrange an appointment for later that day. Investigators arrested Graham after police found a 31-year-old woman set up in a prostitution scheme inside La Quinta Inn in Somerville. The woman allegedly admitted Graham forced her to have sex with clients for money and threatened her with bodily harm if she did not perform, according to reports. Detectives said when they arrived at the hotel about 8 p.m. to meet the victim, Graham and a second man were spotted leaving the hotel and going outside to sit in a blue Ford Escape in the hotel parking lot. Inside the hotel room, the victim was reluctant to speak with police, according to the report. Somerville Police said the woman was nervous and concerned about identifying her pimp and the details of the prostitution scheme. Police reported the victim described to investigators her history with the pimp, who allegedly used manipulation, extreme control and fear to dominate her.
dayton,ohio, United States
local vice officers working in Harrison Twp. got tips that a woman had started using her minor daughter in prostitution at local hotels. Undercover officers went to a hotel on North Dixie Drive at East Siebenthaler Avenue at around 8 p.m. Monday, April 21, and contacted a man later identified as Melvin. "The male there acted as an organizer," Plummer (Montgomery County Sheriff's Dept.) said. "He told them which room the girl was in, what services she was good at and how much she charged. He accepted money, and pointed them to the room." The officers arrested Melvin and White. Officers found a small amount of marijuana in their possession, Plummer said.
Fremont, IN, United States
An undercover officer met with Mr. Stump in the Freemont area and had a fairly lengthy discussion on the sale of the child. The terms of it, and the amount involved. Stump paid the officer $500 dollars and arranged to pick up the child later in the day. Officers pulled Stump over on his way home and took him into custody. He told police he intended to take the girl out of state and marry her.
meridian, idaho, United States
Winberry was arrested in Prosser, Washington after fleeing from Idaho police. His warrant was for Lewd Conduct with a Minor: Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Possession of Sexually Explicit Material and Inducing a Person under 18 into Prostitution. Winberry was being held on the warrant which has a $1,000,000 bond. Watson and McKeehan were booked into the Ada County Jail for Lewd Conduct with a Minor, Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material and Inducing a Person Under 18 into Prostitution. McKeehan pleaded guilty to two counts of felony injury to a child: one count of giving a teen meth, and then the second charge is for having sexual contact with a teen and letting a man watch. She also agreed to testify against Watson, her ex-boyfriend. In December of 2008, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison but will spend 6 months getting treatment in an Idaho Department of Correction Facility before the judge decides if she will serve the rest of her 10 years behind bars or be placed on probation. In November 2008, Watson and Winberry pleaded guilty. Watson pleaded guilty to charges of sex abuse of a minor under the age of 16 and felony injury to child. Winberry pleaded guilty to two charges of lewd conduct with a minor. Both could face life sentences when their sentences are decided. sources: www.idahostateman.com www.idahopress.com
Manhattan, New York, United States
Simon Nget a.k.a. Chang S. Nget, 45, is a self-made Chinese entrepreneur from Cambodia. Mr. Nget and his wife, Michelle Lu Nget a.k.a. Pei Ying Nget, 51, were accused of over 240 criminal charges based on their business practices at the Saigon Grill restaurants in Manhattan, located at 620 Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side and 91 University Place in Greenwich Village, and formerly located at 1700 Second Avenue on the Upper East Side. The couple has owned and operated the popular restaurants since 1996. Wage theft violations included the following: • Paying delivery workers $2 an hour - well under the minimum wage of $7.15. • Demanding that employees cash their paychecks and then return significant portions of the money to Nget in cash. • Fining employees for failing to put orders into the system computer. • Firing workers who picketed the restaurant for unfair practices
broad st., columbus, ohio, United States
Ashley was arrested for prostitution, and then emancipated.
Toledo, Ohio, United States
Two girls, ages 15 and 14, came home from school as many teens do each day. They did homework, finished their chores and then asked a common request from their parents - the two girls wanted to walk to a nearby Wendy's Restaurant to grab a couple of frozen desserts. The restaurant was less than a mile from their homes, so their parents had no reason to deny the request. The two young girls, both good students and trusted by their parents, set off on their quest just before evening. On the way there, a car pulled up next to the girls and one of them thought she recognized the driver - Deric Willoughby - as the father of a classmate. The mistaken identity led her and her cousin to trust Willoughby enough to get into his car to allow him to drive them to the Wendy's. They were grateful for the ride. The ride, however, was the beginning of their captivity. Willoughby drove to his home, just a couple of miles across town from the teens' homes. He and his accomplices gave them new names (Ambrosia and Heavenly) and fitted them for skimpy outfits after telling them that they would be forced to have sex with men for money. Willoughby used his connections to arrange for a driver to pick up the teens and take them from Ohio and across state lines to truck stops in Michigan where the girls could easily be sold for an evening's entertainment. Both of the girls were forced to service multiple customers. The girls were kept at Willoughby's house during the day and pimped at night. One night, something happened that Willoughby wasn't expecting. One of the truck drivers called the police after being disgusted that such young girls were being offered to truckers at his stop. The call alerted the local sheriffs department which immediately responded. The entire crew was stopped and questioned, save for the 15-year-old, who was being raped in nearby truck. The 14-year-old gave officers a fake name and told them she was over 18. Something about her demeanor prompted sheriff's deputies to arrest her and send Willoughby and his crew packing. Information about this incident came from ABC News which did an in-depth report about this case in Ohio: http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/Story?id=5382645&page=1
Oakland, CA, United States
Victim was on probation and under the care of a temporary guardian after a history of sexual exploitation. Minor was on probation for charges and arrests associated with prostitution. Her guardian requested her release to service provider.
alameda county, CA, United States
Arrested for prostitution, but under the TVPA a child under the age of 18 cannot legally consent to sex, therefor this child should not have been legally charged with prostitution.
San Francisco, CA, United States
She was arrested as a perpetrator of prostitution as a juvenile then went through these systems: Alameda County Probation and Juvenile Justice Court. The TVPA passed in the year 2000 declares that all underage victims who are prostituted are trafficking victims.
San Pablo, CA, United States
Victim is 16 yr old girl on probation under the care of a temporary guardian after a history of sexual exploitation. Minor was on probation for charges and arrests associated with prostitution. Her guardian requested her release to service provider.
San Pablo, CA, United States
Victim was arrested for prostitution after being run by at least two pimps and referred to service provider. She had on and off involvement with pimps and drug dealing before becoming fully immersed in service provider programs. Finally, picked up by a sweep operation in San Pablo and taken to juvenile hall.
Rio Grande City, United States
Clerks at a Rio Grande City convenience store helped nab a suspected human trafficker. They called police after spotting a woman and 2-year-old who didn't seem to belong together. The woman claimed she was given the child and a birth certificate in Roma. (The Romani are also known as Gypsies.)
ward avenue honolulu, United States
Higa understands the frightful reality better than most, because she herself was trafficked from China under the false pretense that she was going to a women's business school. When she arrived at a hotel to meet an instructor that would accompany her to the U.S., she was brutally beaten, raped and robbed of her belongings and personal documents. "Think about a girl who's been raped so many times she can't even recognize it as rape anymore, it's just part of her life," she said. Higa, like so many other modern-day slaves, was brought to Hawai'i and forced to work in a brothel on Ward Avenue. If she did not make enough money for the pimps and mama-sans, she was not allowed to eat, drink or sleep.
Richmond, IN, United States
Owners of two local massage parlors were investigated as part of a suspected international human trafficking ring. Women were promised a better life by the operators if they came to America. When they got here, they were then told that they had a huge debt they would have to work off.
Overland Park, Kansas, United States
Xu and Tang would have some of the female Asian nationals apply for massage therapist licenses in Overland Park, the indictment says, and sign their names on the application as the manager of the massage parlors. Xu allegedly signed the massage license applications for at least 12 female Asian nationals to obtain massage licenses in Overland Park, and Tang allegedly signed the massage license applications for at least seven female Asian nationals to obtain massage licenses in Overland Park. However, the indictment says, Xu and Tang would also employ some of the female Asian nationals without having them obtain licenses. Xu, Liu, and Tang operated the businesses which allegedly offered and provided the prostitution and allowed illegal sexual services. Xu, Liu, and Tang instructed, provided, allowed or promoted for the female Asian nationals they employed to offer and provide sexual services to male patrons, the indictment says. This allegedly included offers of sexual services to identified male patrons and undercover law enforcement officers.
South Hill, Virginia, United States
The King County Prosecutor's office last week charged DeShawn "Cash Money" Clark with the crime as part of an ongoing case it launched in November against several defendants reputedly associated with a gang called the "West Side Street Mobb." Clark is alleged to have preyed upon his longtime relationship with an on-again, off-again girlfriend. According to the court papers, he and his buddies promised to take care of her if she became a prostitute and gave them the proceeds. They stashed her at various hotels, where she would keep her sex earnings in the rooms' bibles, and advertised her services on Craigslist. Clark used her for sex, and sometimes would act nice. At other times, he would beat her, like when she wasn't making enough money for him. The West Side Street Mob used other women the same way, according to the court papers. Investigators believe members of a gang called the Westside Street Mobb forced 12 women and girls to perform sex acts for money, beat them and took the money they earned over several months last year, according to charges filed in King County Superior Court
Logansport, Indiana, United States
A 22 year old Burmese male, not a U.S. citizen, and a 23 year old white male have been charged with forced labor and trafficking with respect to forced labor. The 2 men tricked a 16 year old girl, a naturalized citizen, from Buffalo, New York into traveling to Fort Wayne, Indiana with them. The men invited the girl to a party in Fort Wayne and the girl agree to go with them, believing Fort Wayne to be a nearby community. She fell asleep in the car and woke up to see signs for Pennsylvania and Ohio. She screamed at the driver to turn around and let her use his cell phone. He refused. Upon arrival in Fort Wayne, the men pulled into a park and one of the trafficker climbed into the back seat and beat the girl while the other prevented her escape. After 3 weeks in an unknown location, the trio re-located to an apartment in Autumn Woods, at 6011 Salisbury Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana. They were joined by one of the traffickers' wife and children. They later moved to Logansport. During the time the girl was held in captivity, she was forced to cook, do housework, and watch the children for no pay. At one point, she was locked in a room for 2 days without food by the wife. She was also beaten repeatedly. After the move to Logansport, the 22 year old trafficker began raping her. The girl became pregnant after she was raped in August, but was no longer pregnant by the time she was rescued. A witness reports that she was hit in the stomach by one of the men. While in Fort Wayne, the girl was not allowed out of sight of the two men, who spoke only in Burmese so she could not understand them. The girl was eventually taken out in public by the two men and was forced to use an alias. She was told that she would be arrested as a runaway if she tried to return to Buffalo, N.Y. and was told that it was dangerous to go outside. Her identification documents were taken from her, and her naturalization paper was torn up. http://www.fortwayne.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/JG/20081113/LOCAL03/811130304 http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/506337.html http://www.wlfi.com/dpp/news/local_wlfi_logansport_teen_held_as_sex_slave_200811131040
Charlotte, NC, United States
Jorge Flores-Rojas, 44, an undocumented Mexican national trafficked two illegal minors between Charlotte, NC and Washington DC, one 17 year old Mexican girl and one 16 year old Honduran girl. He physically assaulted and abused the 16 year old Honduran girl, in order to make her perform the sexual acts. Jorge Flores-Rojas paid other persons to smuggle these victims from Mexico into the United States.
Chesterland, Ohio, United States
Four women were arrested in connection with a prostitution ring. The women, who were not identified, are in Geauga County Safety Center awaiting a Korean interpreter. Geauga Sheriff Dan McClelland said they are awaiting the interpreter to get the women's names, citizenship status and charges sorted out. One woman was taken to University Hospital's Geauga Health Center for treatment after she suffered an anxiety attack. Sheriff officials launched an undercover investigation after learning that the spa, 8386 Mayfield Road, offered more than massages.
White Horse Road, Greenville, SC, United States
Atzlan Jaimes-Santana and Rolando Hernandez-Hernandez were among the eight people charged in the Fall of 2007 as part of a prostitution ring that prosecutors say stretched across the Southeast and involved more than 100 women from Latin America.
Westside of Seattle, United States
DeShawn Clark, 18, who goes by "Cash" or "Cash Money" was charged in November of 2008 with promoting prostitution and other charges. Prosecutors added the charge of second-degree human trafficking on Friday, March 20, 2009. This is the first time King County has charged anyone under the 2003 law that was passed that criminalized human trafficking. Charges agains DeShawn Clark now include second-degree human trafficking, first-degree promoting prostitution, two counts of promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor, second degree assault, unlawful imprisonment and drug possession. Thomas I. Foster, 19, was also charged in Movember and several other members were charged with various related counts Friday, including Shawn S. Clark, 20; Gerald Jackson, 21; Mycah Johnson, 19, and Desmond Manago, 20. Investigators say the gang, which is affiliated with the Bloods, has 20-30 members involved in robbery, drug sales, weapon possession and aggravated assaults, according to charging papers.
West Seattle, WA, United States
The suspect was a 23 year old man who forced a 12 year old girl into prostitution. He met her thorugh a mutual friend on January 9th and invited her to hang out. Police said he had unprotected sex with her that night and several times over the next several days. When the girl failed to return home the night of the 9th, her family filed a missing persons report. During the five days, the two stayed at the homes of several women who described themselves as the suspect's fiances. She was ordered by the man to walk the streets of South King County to work as a prostitute and the man allegedly told her the exact price to charge for each sex act. She was also told not to tell her age to any customers. One of the suspect's "financees" became angry about the girl and called a phone number she found in a school binder that the girl had left at her home. The person who answered the phone turned out to be the 12 year old girl's sister. The "fiancee" told the sister where the missing girl was in downtown Seattle. Police said relatives found the girl Sunday night with the man in downtown Seattle. The relatives took the girl to Harborview Medical Center where a rape examination was performed and then went to the Seattle police department's West Precinct and notified police they had found her. After talking to the girl, the police found the suspect on a West Seattle street. According to detectives, the man's acquaintances say he has befriended other young girls, raping them as well as coercing them into prostitution.
Miracle Spa, 3312 S. 192nd in Sea-Tac; Royal Spa, 16407 Lake Hills Blvd. in Bellevue; Chada Thai Bodyworks, 10448 NE 29th in Bellevue; Lisa Thai Massage, 1942 Market Stree in Kirkland, United States
Four message parlors were raided. King County authorities say they were tipped off by federal immigration officials, who believed some of the young girls working as prostitutes may have been part of a human trafficking operation. Police arrested 4 women who ranged in age from 28-51. They were booked on various charges, including promoting prostitution and money laundering. The article did not say if the women were managers or the actual prostitutes who worked in the massage parlors. No men were arrested, but the article said that detectives seized the business records and customers who can be identified from the records will be contacted by detectives and police say charges are possible.
Algona, Washington, United States
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 5 South King County residents on federal charges for conspiring to enslave a 16 year-old Afghan immigrant girl. Those arrested were: Mohammed Atahee, 37 Nasima Yousufi, 70 Mohammad Yousufi, 84 Nahid Yousufi, 29 Maruf Yousufi, 42 The teen was forced to cook, clean, and do laundry for Atahee and the Yousufis, a federal grand jury indictment says. During the same period, the Yousufis required her to perform all the household chores and care for their children at 28004 33rd Ave. S., Auburn. Nahid Yousufi threatened the girl, called "JVI" in court documents, with arrest and deportation if she failed to live with Atahee or work for the Yousufis. On January 26, 2008, Atahee raped the girl, court documents say. Prosecutors accuse Nasima Yousifi and Nahid Yousifi of causing a marriage to take place between the girl - then 13 in Afghanistan and Atahee, then 33, in the summer of 2005. Because the marriage was not recognized by U.S. authorities, Nasima Yousufi allegedly told U.S. Embassy officials in Pakistan that the girl was the biological daughter of Nasima - then 66 years old - in order to obtain a visa for her. If found guilty, the defendants face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
South Seattle, WA, United States
Yong Kang, Kasheng Zhu, Rujing Jiang and Zhenhua Liu and five other people were srrested in conjunction with their alleged involvement in an international sex-trafficking rign that recruited prostitutes from several Asian countries and rotated them between brothels throughout the U.S. The arrests were made during early morning raids at 5 locations. Two were alleged brothels and one was an escort service run out of a private residence. The other locations were the homes of two defendants. Wiretaps employed from May 31 indicate that at least 40 Asian prostitutes worked brief stints at the Seattle-area brothels. Investigators said the women came from at least 9 different countries, including China, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. Some of the women came to the U>S> on legitimate visas and never left; some were transported in shipping containers. Some Korean women arrived in British Columbia illegally, and then were smuggled into the U.S.. Others came to the U.S. in forged visas. All nine defendants were charged in U.S. District Court in Seattle with conspiracy to transport individuals in furtherance of prostitution. Eight defendants were charged with conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens, and four were charged with money laundering. The trafficked women traveled between Seattle and at least 15 other cities.
Everett, WA, United States
Jerome Todd of Everett, Washington, is arrest and sentenced to 26 years in prison for pimping. The federal judge ordered Todd to pay nearly $70,000 to 3 women who worked for him as prostitutes. A jury in May had convicted Todd, 29, of numerous federal sex-for-sale crimes, including sex trafficking. Jurors were convinced Todd forced women to sell their bodies as part of an Internet-based prostitution ring.
Lynwood and Everett, WA, United States
Lynwood police arrested 15 people in a prostitution sting centered on escorts who advertised on the Craigslist Internet site. Detectives from Lynwood and Everett joined I.C.E. agents in making the arrests. Those arrested included 10 women, aged 17-47 and five men. Two of the women were underage. The females were from cities in the Puget Sound area, including Edmonds, Everett, Kirkland, Mukilteo, Renton, and Seattle.
Martha Lake, Washington, United States
Detectives had been investigating for 8 months. They had watched male customers going in and out, followed the presumed manager and associates and shadowed the person they believed to be the manager, a 45 year old woman referred to as Coco, as she took bags of cash to the bank. Once in November and again in January, an undercover detective posed as a customer and was offered a sex act inside the Red Dragon Spa. One of the women told an undercover detective that she was from China and had been in the U.S. for two years. Authorities were suspicious as to whether she and the others were immigrants forced to work as prostitutes by organized crime groups to repay the costs of the trip, court documents say. Authorities arrested one of the women on immigration violation but were not considering it a trafficking case, according to a spokeswoman for I.C.E. The investigation was buttressed by complaints to the Kirkland Police Department. One woman filed a police report after discovering that her boyfriend had visited the Kirkland spa three times and paid for sex acts. A man also tipped police, saying his ex-girlfriend, the manager, was providing sexual services inside the parlor, court documents say. I.C.E. also received a tip that the spa manager had a friend who is an immigration lay attorney, who would help Chinese women obtain papers to come to the U.S. where they would work as prostitutes. The tipster said the girls obtained fake credentials as nurses or teachers before coming to the U.S. and that the spa owner frequently picks up new employees at the airport.
Everett, WA - Honey's Strip Club, Highway 99 near Gibson Road, United States
Honey's, a strip club in Everett, and several other Puget Sound area clubs owned by the Calacurcio family are the focus of a federal investigation into organized crime. Honey,s, Snohomish County's only strip club, according to federal investigators, is a haven for prostituttion, with dancers blatantly offering sex for money and the clubs owners taking kickbacks from the illegal activities. Federal agents and local police raided the clubs owned by Frank Colacurcio Sr. and his son, Frank Colacurcio Jr. Monday morning. No charges have been filed. Instead a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order against the clubs' owners prohibiting them from selling off the clubs or their assets. The freeze is part of a ongoing rackateering investigation that alleges the clubs were run by a criminal enterprise according to court papers.
SeaTac, Washington State, United States
A Thai woman, Chomphoonut Dongrid, was arrested for operating brothels in Kirkland, Bellevue and SeaTac, Washington. I.C.E. arrested her on a charge of conspiracy to transport individuals in furterance of prostitution. She is accused of arranging sham marriages for the purpose of bringing Asian women to work in the sex industry. Dongrid ran brothels at 1942 Market St., Kirkland, 16407 Lake Hills Blvd., Bellevue, and 3312 S. 192 St., SeaTac. To staff the brothels, she is accused or recruiting women in Bangkok, Thailand. On one occasion in 2006, Dongrid sent a co-conspirator to Thailand to marry a womanb through a sham arrangement so she could gain entrance to the U.S., court documents say. When the woman arrived in Seattle, Dongrid told her she owed a debt of about $25,000 for her immigration papers and for travel to the U.S. A month later, she began working for Dongrid, as a masseuse and was required to provide sexual services. In June, 2006, a second woman answered a newspaper ad to work as a masseuse and traveled to Seattle from California, where she too, performed sexual services for money. In June 2002, a third woman traveled from Bangkok to Seattle and worked for Dongrid as a household servant and prostitute. If found guilty, Dongrid faces 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She is a citizen of Thailand and a legal, permanent resident of the U.S.
Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, WA, United States
Jeffrey Fisher was arrested for promoting prostitution, witness tampering and eluding police. He had met Stephanie, a 14 year old girl on an online chat room. They quickly started a sexual relationship. In July on 2006, she agreed to work as a prostitute. Though she pulled in nearly $500 a day working along the stretch of Aurora known to prostitutes and police as "the track", she said the money wasn't nearly enough for Fisher. He gambled away the money she earned, beat her if he was unhappy, called her names and followed her, demanding that she work harder. Within months the beatings worsened and escalated into death threats. She begged police to take her to jail so she could get away from Fisher. She went to Children of the Night in Los Angeles last February and stayed about 3 months - until she was desperate to see Fisher. In May, after returning to Aurora, she's finally had enough. She helped the Seattle Police Department Vice Unit go after Fisher. He was finally arrested after fleeing to California.
Waikiki Princess Kaiulani Hotel, United States
An Oahu grand jury has indicted two men on charges stemming from an alleged attempt to force a 20-year-old woman into prostitution. Johnathan Payne was indicted Wednesday on charges of first-degree promotion of prostitution, kidnapping and two counts of being an accomplice to sexual assault. Also indicted was La Shawn R. Adams on charges of kidnapping and third-degree assault. The woman alleged she had gone to meet a friend at the Princess Kaiulani Hotel in Waikiki, and was held against her will in a hotel room Jan. 9-11 by three men. The woman said the men wanted her to be a prostitute, according to a police affidavit. Police said the woman refused and asked the men to leave the room, but they held her captive instead. While being held, the woman was sexually assaulted, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office said.
Darnestown, Maryland, United States
George Udeozor, 52, formerly of Darnestown, Md., was sentenced today for holding a 14-year-old Nigerian girl in involuntary servitude, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Grace Chung Becker and U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Udeozor to 97 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Udeozor was also ordered to pay $110,249.60 in restitution to the victim. ccording to his plea agreement, in September 1996, George Udeozor traveled to Nigeria and, using the passport of his oldest daughter, smuggled a 14 year old Nigerian girl to his home in Maryland. He and his then-wife, Dr. Adaobi Stella Udeozor, used the girl as an unpaid domestic servant and child care provider for their six children for approximately five years, from October 1996 to Oct. 28, 2001. The victim cooked, cleaned the home, did laundry and took care of the Udeozor children. During that time, the victim was physically abused. The Udeozors did not send the victim to school and did not pay the victim or her family for her work. At times, the victim also worked in Adaobi Stella Udeozor’s medical offices, for which she did not receive compensation. The Udeozors compelled the victim’s labor by inflicting verbal and physical abuse on her, including when she purportedly did not do her work correctly. They threatened the victim with arrest and deportation if she left the home. Additionally, from sometime after the fall of 1997 when the victim was just 15 years old, until the time George Udeozor left the United States in late 1999 to return to Nigeria, George Udeozor had sexual relations with the victim in the Udeozor home. He warned the victim not to tell anyone about those episodes.
McKinney, Texas, United States
According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: FARLEY approached an undercover agent in an online chat room and began talking about engaging in sex with the agent's 10 year-old daughter. (There was no actual child.) Over the course of several months, he continued to ask about having sex with the child, and suggested that the undercover agent molest the child first to "get her prepared" for him. The defendant made arrangements to meet the agent and the child at a local restaurant on May 15, 2007. After dinner, the defendant planned to go to the agent's house and molest the child. FARLEY was arrested as soon as his plane landed in Atlanta. He had a laptop computer with him which contained approximately 100 images of child pornography.
Knight Arnold and Ridgeway, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
The Sex Crimes Unit of the Memphis Police raided the trafficker's apartment and found "cash, receipts, ledgers, gels and body cleaning solutions" as well as condoms.
norwich, ny, United States
Both Sacco and O'Connor where arrested, tried, and convicted. Sacco was convicted for sex trafficking, producing child pornography, and transporting a minor over state lines for sexual acts. He was sentenced to Life in prison. O'Connor was convicted for sex trafficking and producing child pornography. She was sentenced to a minimum of 30 years in prison.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sanford C. Coats. Woods was sentenced on March 6, 2008 to serve 135 months in federal prison for sex trafficking of a minor by transporting a child under 18 years old from Oklahoma City to Amarillo, Texas, with the intent to engage in prostitution. Woods was ordered to serve 5 years of supervised release following his release from prison.
Honolulu, HI, United States
Bronson Iseri, 21; Iseri was pimping his 17 year old girlfriend on craigslist and pocketing the money she received. He is charged with rape and promoting prostitution but is denying the rape charge.
Anchorage, AK, United States
Don Arthur Webster Jr., aka "Jerry Starr," age 51
Washington DC, United States
A couple, Franklin Macedo and Yaneth Martinez, were arrested for human trafficking and prostituting women from Mexico and Honduras. To get clients, the couple handed out business cards in the Hispanic neighborhood that said “hair cuts for men only”, or “flowers home delivery”. These cards were code language for prostitution.
Grand Junction, Colorado, United States
She is charged with racketeering (class 2 felony), pimping (class 3 felony), tax evasion (class 5 felony), keeping a place of prostitution (class 2 misdemeanor), and promoting sexual immorality (class 2 misdemeanor). She was booked into the Mesa County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
Mead Valley, United States
CBS News Article 12/13/08 (can be found here: http://cbs2.com/local/Riverside.Mead.Valley.2.886528.html): Man Gets 965 Years For Sex Assaults On Disabled RIVERSIDE A Mead Valley man who sexually assaulted at least nine women he brought to his home and kept some of them tied up as sex slaves, was sentenced Friday to 965 years in prison. The district attorney said all of Peter Frances Milosavjevic's victims were mentally impaired. Between 2001 and 2005, Milosavjevic, 57, brought at least nine women to his Rios Road duplex, according to trial testimony. The victims, who he met cruising the streets, were offered shelter in exchange for housework and sexual favors. Most of the women, whose ages ranged from 30 to 59, were developmentally disabled and homeless, and some had worked as prostitutes. Authorities used photographs the defendant -- who lived next door to his mother in the duplex, had taken to identify his victims. "I doubt I'll ever see a case as despicable as this one in the years to come," said Riverside Superior Court Judge Mac Fisher as he announced his sentence. Fisher addes, "This sentence is appropriate for the destruction you have caused the victims." A Riverside woman testified that Milosavjevic tied her to his bed and violated her with a vibrator coated with a burning substance that caused intense pain. Investigators said he also used drugs and alcohol to subdue some of his victims. Another woman testified during the trial that Milosavjevic promised he would kill her and her family if she left him. She was repeatedly raped, sodomized and forced to give oral sex during her six-month ordeal, said Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Chirco. Some of the women were freed after Milosavjevic tired of them, while others found ways to escape, she said. Milosavjevic testified the women were his lovers. He said he felt sorry for them and took them home to get them off the streets. His attorney, Chris Jensen, said in October that Milosavjevic operates on the "same mental plane as the mentally challenged women who testified against him." Milosavjevic had previous convictions in 1983 and 1995 for assaulting women. One of his victims was raped and beaten so badly she was in a coma for several days.
York, Pennsylvania, United States
Federal investigators have charged three people in a case of forced labor trafficking in York County that has been going on for eight years. Lynda Phan, of New Cumberland, went to Vietnam and recruited two women to work in her two nail salons in the York area, U.S. Attorney Martin Carlson said. Phan arranged fake marriages to Duc Cao Nguyen, of New Cumberland, and Justin Phan, of Tennessee, so the women could get into the United States, Carlson said. The women were then forced to work without pay at the nail salons.
Miami, FL, United States
In November 2008, federal prosecutors charged five people with sex trafficking. The victims included young girls as young as 14 who were smuggled from Mexico and forced into prostitution in various homes and brothels in Miami-Dade County and across South Florida. They were beaten and kept in “stash houses” where they were imprisoned until being shipped out to private homes.
Renton, Washington, United States
The locations included the Aloha Tanning Resort in Renton, Wash., the Avalon Spa in North Seattle and the Malibu Tanning Spa in Tukwila, Wash. Search warrants were also served at homes in Kent, Wash., and Renton as well as on board the "Island Girl" moored at the Westlake Marina on Lake Union in Seattle. According to court documents, Frey operated his businesses under the name of Crown Venture Capitol, Inc., and Crown Venture Management, Ltd., from his home in California. Every couple of weeks, Frey would fly to Seattle to collect thousands of dollars in cash from Nguyen and others who were managers at his businesses. Frey and Nguyen would regularly make arrangements to transport women to work in tanning salons as prostitutes. The women would stay for several weeks and eventually leave Washington state for another location. While working here at the salons, the women offered to provide sex acts to undercover officers and informants in exchange for cash. ICE was joined in this investigation by the King County Sheriff's Department and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
San Francisco, United States
The FBI and local law enforcement agents orchestrated a nationwide sting. Undercover cops posed as Jons and arrested prostitutes soliciting sex at bars/nightclubs, casinos, truck stops, and Internet sites such as Craig’s list. The sting operations were used to determine whether or not the girls were less than 18 years of age. If so, they were taken into custody and treated as a trafficking victim. In Oakland, California 5 arrests were made at the Hilton Hotel where Police Solicited sex from prostitution ads they found on Craig's list. Those arrested could face federal or state charges based on their allegations but they are still awaiting trial.
Logan Heights, San Diego, United States
Gloria Eugenia Leon-Aldana was a part of an alien smuggling operation recruiting aliens from Mexico, smuggling aliens into the United States to San Diego, and forcing labor through a series of threats including calls to Border Patrol. Her co-defendants Andres-Santos and Alonso-Terrero also threatened with physical harm to the victims and their families. Her husband, Mario Antonio Antunez Sotelo is wanted on forced-labor charges in addition to bringing in and harboring aliens for financial gain. He was arrested in December with his wife, and two others. The others are in custody, but Antunez, who was released after his arrest, is now believed to be on the run, possibly hiding in Tijuana or in the Acapulco area. Among other things, Antunez and his wife are accused of holding at least 10 immigrants in two San Diego homes. Federal agents searching one of those properties found a small bedroom crammed with six beds, and living quarters for others carved into a crawl space beneath the home with mattresses on a dirt floor. Aliens held in those homes were repeatedly threatened and the couple took their identity documents to keep them from fleeing. They were also forced to pay rent, which kept them under debt bondage. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which learned of the case through the local Mexican consulate, is working with the Mexican government in the search. Immigration and Customs spokeswoman Lauren Mack said some victims were held as long as eight months.
Detroit, United States
The FBI and local law enforcement agents orchestrated a nationwide sting. Undercover cops posed as Jons and arrested prostitutes soliciting sex at bars/nightclubs, casinos, truck stops, and Internet sites such as Craig’s list. The sting operations were used to determine whether or not the girls were less than 18 years of age. If so, they were taken into custody and treated as a trafficking victim
Las Vegas, United States
The FBI and local law enforcement agents orchestrated a nationwide sting. Undercover cops posed as Jons and arrested prostitutes soliciting sex at bars/nightclubs, casinos, truck stops, and Internet sites such as Craig’s list. The sting operations were used to determine whether or not the girls were less than 18 years of age. If so, they were taken into custody and treated as a trafficking victim. Those arrested could face federal or state charges based on their allegations but they are still awaiting trial.
Houston, United States
The FBI and local law enforcement agents orchestrated a nationwide sting. Undercover cops posed as Jons and arrested prostitutes soliciting sex at bars/nightclubs, casinos, truck stops, and Internet sites such as Craig’s list. The sting operations were used to determine whether or not the girls were less than 18 years of age. If so, they were taken into custody and treated as a trafficking victim
Atlanta, United States
The FBI and local law enforcement agents orchestrated a nationwide sting. Undercover cops posed as Jons and arrested prostitutes soliciting sex at bars/nightclubs, casinos, truck stops, and Internet sites such as Craig’s list. The sting operations were used to determine whether or not the girls were less than 18 years of age. If so, they were taken into custody and treated as a trafficking victim. Those arrested could face federal or state charges based on their allegations but they are still awaiting trial.
Boston, United States
The FBI and local law enforcement agents orchestrated a nationwide sting. Undercover cops posed as Jons and arrested prostitutes soliciting sex at bars/nightclubs, casinos, truck stops, and Internet sites such as Craig’s list. The sting operations were used to determine whether or not the girls were less than 18 years of age. If so, they were taken into custody and treated as a trafficking victim.
Tennis Lane, Tracy, CA, United States
Michael Luther Schumacher, 34, Kelly Layne Lau, 30, and Caren Ramirez, 43, all were arrested during the first two days of December, 2008 for suspicion of conspiracy, torture, kidnapping, child abuse, and false imprisonment. They held a teenage boy (name not yet disclosed due to the fact that he is a minor) shackled and chained in their garage, and forced him to do domestic labor, for up to 18 months (exact length of time to be determined). Schumacher and Lau are married and have 4 children of their own under the age of 10 (1 year, 3, 7, 9). There was no legal relationship between the married couple and the enslaved boy, Ramirez won custody for the boy in Sacramento Count prior to his imprisonment, but lost custody after she was arrested on charges of felony abuse in 2005. Neighbors of Schumacher and Lau said they say Ramirez at the couple's Tracy home regularly, and some neighbors said they were told that Ramirez was the boy's mother. The boy ran away from a Sacramento group home 15-18 months prior to his emancipation from the Tracy couple. Neighbors saw him doing yard work and other domestic chores. The boy apparently was chained in the garage of the Tracy house when he was not working or otherwise being closely watched.
New York City, New York, United States
Husband and wife, Mary Yue Chueng and Hong Wei Yang, were owners of the Kimtex Factory which employed approximately 20 Chinese immigrants. In January of 2000, Cheung and Yang started to skim from their workers' ages. They stopped paying their employees altogether in May of 2000 and eventually closed and abandoned the factory in July. They were able to get away with this at the time by showing inspectors fake time records, hiding unpaid wages.
Santa Rosa, CA, United States
Nine people were arrested in a Santa Rosa prostitution sting and an underage girl was taken into protective custody after she was brought to an upscale hotel by a 19-year-old man suspected of pimping her, authorities said.
Houston, Texas, United States
The operation involved local law enforcement in 29 cities across the country working with the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Houston police Officers Emma Rodriguez and Catherine Clogher, of Juvenile Division's sex crimes unit, helped arrest the two local men accused of being pimps to three teenage girls.
Lotus Acupressure Spa, 225 East Avenue, Lockport, NY 14094, United States
Len Wah Chong, also know as Lisa Tsui, was arrested along with her husband, Che Ngan Tqui, also known as Allen Tsui, and her brother, Kim Poh Chong and Wei Shang. They were charged with operating massage parlors or acupressure spa establishments as fronts for prostitution and human trafficking. Between August 2004 and Ocober 2007, Len Wah Chong, 43 years old, trafficked at least 11 women to exchange sexual favors for money. Chong pleaded guilty in April 2008 to sex trafficking of persons by force, fraud, and coercion. She and her family operated four massages in the greater Buffalo region: Lotus Acupressure Spa in Lockport; Golden Acupressure and Lucky J Fortune Teller, 3571 Niagara Falls Blvd. in Wheatfield, NY; Lotus Acupressure, 2302 Niagara Falls Blvd. in Tonawanda, NY; and the Lotus Spa in Niagara Falls, NY. Chong's plea agreement with the U.S. District Attorney's Office requires her to pay $350,000 in restitution to 11 former "employees" and an additional $350,000 in forfeiture to the federal government. She was sentenced to six years in prison and five years supervised release. As part of the plea, Chong agreed to cooperate with the U.S. Attorney's Office in the ongoing investigation into human trafficking in northern New York massage parlors. U.S. Attorney Terrance Flynn is quoted in the Niagara Gazette (4/17/08): "She [Chong] admitted to being the person to coerce these women to the area, many of them not knowing - they thought they were coming here to be legitimate massage therapists, but once they got here they realized what they were really here for and did not have the ability to leave." The Chongs (Tsuis) and her brother are naturalized US citizens, and Zhang has permanent residence status. They are originally from China, as were nearly all of their trafficking victims. The criminal complaint says that the women were treated as sex slaves, expected to work off their passage to the USA that had been financed by the traffickers. As a side note, on March 20, 2008, retired Lockport Police Captain John Trowbridge, 60, pleaded guilty in federal court to transporting a local massage parlor worker (undocumented) from one of Chong's spas to Kentucky for the purposes of prostitution. The arrest occurred on October 28, 2005, for a meeting of the Royal Order of Jesters, an international fraternal society. That ties into a whole series of corruption angles to the case. Despite opposition from block clubs and local business owners, the Chongs were able to gain Zoning Board approval for their Lotus Acupressure Spa in Niagara Falls thanks to the ardent support of then-Mayor Vincenzo Anello, according to the Niagara Falls Reporter (12/18/07). Mayor Anello convinced the board that the spa and acupressure were legitimate. Assemblyman Robin Schimminger wrote a letter supporting Chong saying that her spa "be a welcome addition to your business community." The Niagara Falls Development Corp even offered a $10,000 grant for Lotus Spa to help them get started. The 77-page criminal complaint filed by the US District Attorney's Office refers to customers known as "the judge," "the police captain," "the sheriff," and one survivor she offered regular free services to "an immigration officer" in order to get his help in bringing her son into the United States. "The judge" is even quoted in the criminal complaint as giving Chong advice on how to run the club and how his referrals (friends) should be treated.
Nashville, Tennesee, United States
The Nashville Police Department originally prosecuted the case under the first use of the state's anti-trafficking law. The district attorney, seemingly less interested in prosecuting the case, played softball with the accused traffickers and what should have been an 8-year sentence for trafficking sex victims across Florida, Georgia and Tennessee state lines. The traffickers ended up with 6 months and are likely to be deported by ICE.
Walnut Creek, California, United States
Mabelle de la Rosa Dann, also known as Mabelle Crabbe, held 30-year old Zoraida Pena-Canal in captivity for nearly 19 months in apartment #64 of the Cypress Creek Apartments in Walnut Creek, California. Pena-Canal once worked in Peru with Dann's sister, who lives there. Dann, who works as a real estate agent in Walnut Creek, promised Pena-Canal a job caring for her three children as a nanny in the USA that would pay $600/mo and a private residence. Instead, Pena-Canal worked around the clock cleaning Dann's apartment, doing laundry, cooking meals and tending to Dann's three boys. Pena-Canal initially slept on the living room sofa in Dann's apartment, then subsequently was banished to sleep on the living room floor. Instead of paying her nanny/house keeper, Dann charged her $15,000 for living expenses, which she kept in her debt. Pena-Canal Dann forced her to smash her radio and TV so that she would not listen to Spanish-speaking radio and get information about the USA that might help her. Dann regularly abused her servant verbally and physically, and took away her identity documents, money and bank cards. She threatened to turn Pena-Canal over to the police if she tried to escape. Dann paid a third-party agent to secure a visitor visa for her victim, though she always intended for Pena-Canal to work in her home.
Borough of Queens, New York, United States
Authorities were contacted multiple times before the workers were finally emancipated. Some of the first to report their suspicions were neighbors of the crime family. They noticed and reported domestic violence they saw suspected from the house. The neighbors also realized that an unsually large amount of people lived in one house. All 62 victims lived in one house, including 12 children, and three pregnant women. At first, neighbors were too scared to call police because they thought that the Mexicans were illegal aliens. When police began to make searches of the house, they came during working hours, while no one was home. As of 2006, 27 of the victims still inhabited the US. Two of the ringleaders in the crime, a decade after the fact, were given 13 year sentences, although there likely sentences will be five years. However, the Paoletti-Lemus ramily was court ordered to give out $1.4 million in restitution.
Denison, Iowa, United States
Leonard Russell recruited two girls from Nebraska to engage in commercial sexual activity, including prostitution, and to perform at strip clubs. The two victims, ages 15 and 16, were runaways and were harbored by Russell. The victims testified that they met Russell in Omaha, Nebraska on August 20, 2007 after they ran away from a juvenile home located in Fremont, Nebraska. They were recruited to help at 19-year old prostitute, named Marcia Ryan. The victims were then transported to Davenport, Iowa, then Rockford, Illinois, and finally back to Denison, Iowa. They were forced to engage in prostitution and perform at strip clubs, one of which was Big Earl’s Key Club in Denison, Iowa. They were forced to give their earnings to Russell and Ryan to pay for their food, shelter, transportation, and clothes. One victim was with Russell for eight days, and the other for 10 days. Investigations showed that they had been advertised on the internet as prostitutes.
Northern Virginia, U.S.A., United States
The FBI established the Innocence Lost Initiative in 2003 to fight child sex trafficking. To date, the work of the Innocence Lost Initiative has resulted in: 265 indictments; 365 convictions on a combination of state and federal charges; 46 criminal enterprises disrupted and 36 successfully dismantled; and Substantial sentences of convicted pimps, including two life sentences and several sentences ranging in length from 30 to 40 years. Efforts have led to the recovery of 577 child victims. The most recent sting, in Northern Virginia, resulted in the rescue of 47 children, many of whom had been reported missing.
Lakeland North, Washington, United States
In the summer of 2005, Mohammad Atahee (then age 33) married a 13 year-old girl in Afghanistan and then brought her back to the US and coerced her into being a slave at homes in Federal Way and Auburn. Atahee is also accused in court documents of beating and sexually assaulting the girl at his Federal Way home. Atahee (now 37) and the Yousuf family (Nasima Yousuf, 70; Mohammad Yousuf, 84; Nahid Yousufi, 29; and Maruf Yousufi, 42) forced the teen to cook, clean and do laundry. For about 18 months beginning in August 2006, Atahee required the girl to "perform all the household chores in his home and restricted activities outside of the home" at 2511 S. 286th Place, Federal Way, WA. During the same period the Yousufis required her to perform all the household chores and care for their children at 28004 33rd Ave. S., Auburn, WA.
Tampa, FL, United States
Five victims from Tampa and one from St. Petersburg were held victims of human trafficking and forced to work in prostitution and advertised on the internet. Some of the locations included Nebraska Avenue motels and casios.. All the victims were 16 or 17 years old. Four of the six victims were identified as endangered runaway children by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Kirkland, Bellevue and SeaTac, United States
From Seattle Times article 10/11/08 by Mike Carter http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008254413_brothels11m.html: Federal agents have arrested a woman on a charge that she conspired to transport women from Southeast Asia to the Seattle area to work in a string of brothels. Chomphoonut Dongird, also known as "Lisa," was indicted Wednesday by a Seattle federal grand jury on a single count of conspiracy to transport individuals in furtherance of prostitution. The indictment was unsealed following her arrest Thursday. Dongird pleaded not guilty to the charges Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Alice Thieler, who ordered her held pending a detention hearing next week. Trial is set for Dec. 15. The indictment says Dongird has operated a trio of brothels disguised as massage parlors in Kirkland, Bellevue and SeaTac for years, and that she has brought women from Thailand and California to work as masseuses. According to the indictment, the women were required to perform sex acts as part of their employment. In one instance, according to the indictment, Dongird brought a woman from Thailand to the U.S. and then told her she owed $25,000 for her immigration paperwork and travel. The woman was required to work off her debt at the brothels, according to the charges. The indictment also says Dongird arranged "sham marriages" in order to bring women into the U.S. to work at the massage parlors. Dongird brought one woman to Seattle in 2002, where she worked as Dongird's housekeeper and as a prostitute until last month, the indictment says.
Federal Way, Washington, United States
In the summer of 2005, Mohammad Atahee (then age 33) married a 13 year-old girl in Afghanistan and then brought her back to the US and coerced her into being a slave at homes in Federal Way and Auburn. Atahee is also accused in court documents of beating and sexually assaulting the girl at his Federal Way home. Atahee (now 37) and the Yousuf family (Nasima Yousuf, 70; Mohammad Yousuf, 84; Nahid Yousufi, 29; and Maruf Yousufi, 42) forced the teen to cook, clean and do laundry. For about 18 months beginning in August 2006, Atahee required the girl to "perform all the household chores in his home and restricted activities outside of the home" at 2511 S. 286th Place, Federal Way, WA. During the same period the Yousufis required her to perform all the household chores and care for their children at 28004 33rd Ave. S., Auburn, WA.
Jennings, Missouri, United States
"Three St. Louis-area residents face federal charges of sex trafficking and slavery after being accused of beating and torturing a mentally disabled teen and forcing her to prostitute herself to pay off a relative's debt. The 18-year-old, identified only as “Jane Doe,” may have been held for up to a month, according to a federal court affidavit by FBI Special Agent Cynthia Dockery that became public Thursday. Waquita “Goddess” Wallace, 33, and Richard Marquis Harper, 20, of the 5200 block of Genevieve Avenue, were arrested by FBI agents Wednesday and charged in federal court in St. Louis with sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and sale into involuntary servitude. A woman identified only as “April” also faces the same charges. Wallace and April could not be reached for comment." (from following link: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/6C8E07BF00551A458625747B007557F8?OpenDocument)
Lents, Oregon, United States
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A Portland couple who offered to care for a developmentally delayed pair stand accused of defrauding them of more than $50,000 in pension and Social Security payments and physically abusing them for years. Police say Charles and Tammy Whitworth were virtual indentured servants and endured nearly three years of financial, psychological and physical abuse including strangulation, assaults, and dog bites. The Whitworths are back home in Missouri thanks in part to an alert Plaid Pantry clerk and collaboration of city and county investigators. Plaid Pantry clerk John Parmer, 21, noticed a distraught woman with long gray hair using a pay phone in July. "She had been crying," Parmer recalled. "I was keeping my eye on her." The next morning she was back, crying again on the phone. She walked into the store and through her tears asked him to call 9-1-1. He did. Responding officers called the bureau's elder abuse investigators. A two-month investigation led to the arrests this week of Daniel Lee Anderson, 50, and Taryn Marie Anderson, 51, on an 84-count criminal indictment. Even the experienced investigators had trouble grasping what went on in the southeast Portland ranch-style house where the Whitworths lived with the Andersons. They said Tammy Whitworth, 50, was hysterical but that they were able to talk to the distraught couple alone. Investigators describe them as vulnerable, low-functioning adults. Charles Whitworth worked for 33 years for Chrysler in St. Louis, Mo., but doesn't read or write. Police said his wife, Tammy, was socially isolated. Police say the couples met in Missouri in 2006. The Whitworths were living in a house on their own when the Andersons offered to care for them. The couples left town about six months later. "They just up and moved in the middle of the night," recalled Tammy's mother, Barbara Ross, in a phone interview from Missouri. "They went from owning their own house, a car and a truck, down to nothing." Relatives knew they were in Oregon but didn't know where and hired an investigator to find them, but without success. "At some point (the Whitworths) were told their families didn't want anything to do with them, said Detective Celeste Fender. "They basically said, `We're all you've got.' " Charles Whitworth, 62, was to walk the dogs, pull weeds and clean the house. Tammy was supposed to clean the kitchen. Basically, they were their maids, Fender said. Fender and Officer Katie Potter worked with county adult protective services investigator Sheila Robinson. Not only are the Andersons accused of funneling Charles Whitworth's assets into their own bank accounts, but police and prosecutors say the Andersons would slap the Whitworths in the head, knock them into walls or sic their three daschunds on the couple. Daniel Anderson is accused of trying to strangle the couple. The Andersons would force Charles to bite his wife, Fender said. Ross said she received a collect call on July 30 from her daughter, Tammy. She was crying into the phone. Ross said she encouraged her to contact police. "Thank goodness she called her mom. She was brave enough to take that step," Fender said. Police say the Andersons had Charles Whitworth believing his mother died but investigators found his mother alive and phoned her so he could speak to her. He cried at the sound of his mom's voice. The Andersons told police they didn't know where the Whitworths' money went. When Fender asked why he had taken in a couple with no resources, she said he replied, "Well, Christians are known to do that." Similar cases often go unreported because victims are kept in isolation, Robinson said. Though Dr. Bennett Blum, an Arizona-based forensic and geriatric psychiatrist who specializes in what he calls undue influence cases, said they are tragically frequent. He said this case has all the hallmarks: vulnerable adult abuse, isolation, dependency, emotional manipulation and deception. Daniel Anderson faces 31 counts of criminal mistreatment, 22 counts of theft, three counts of strangulation, seven counts of assault, seven counts of harassment and four counts of coercion. His wife faces 26 counts of criminal mistreatment, 22 counts of theft, three counts of assault, two counts of criminal mischief, and two counts of harassment and coercion. Both pleaded not guilty on Monday. The Andersons lawyer, Bill Brennan, said the Whitworths money appeared to be pooled with the Andersons' accounts to help pay expenses. The county helped place the Whitworths in foster care and worked with Missouri officials to reroute their checks directly to them. This month the Whitworths flew back to Missouri. They're living with Tammy's mom but plan to get their own place. "The Andersons need to be in prison," Ross said. "They're evil, evil." Daniel Anderson is a local trucker who declared bankruptcy in 1998 and was convicted of passing bad checks in Missouri in 2006. Their trial date is Nov. 12.(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Dallas, TX, United States
Marlin Williams has been convicted of human trafficking and is due for his sentencing in November, 2008. He could be sentenced for 46 months up to 54 years.
Algiers, Louisiana, United States
The workers were trafficked by the Company Audubon Pointe, a New Orleans apartment complex affected by Katrina. Audubon Pointe housed the non documented workers in their unfinished apartments while they renovated other apartments. The workers were frequently unpaid or paid very late. When the workers complained, management threatened to evict them and call the police. These threats forced the workers to continue work without pay.
El Dorado Hills, California, United States
Rishi Sanwal, 23 year old. Lived in El Dorado hills with his parents in a multi-million dollar mansion located at 3105 Hopkins Place in El Dorado Hills. On March 18 Kacie was seen entering Sanwal’s maroon colored Hummer outside a Safeway in the Stonegate Village near Francisco and Green Valley roads. Sanwal then used force, fraud, and coercion to cause a 17-year- old girl to engage in prostitution. Sanwal gave the victim the name “Amy” and used that name when he posted ads on the Craigslist erotic services section. He took the victim from El Dorado to the Bay area, before returning to Rocklin, CA and posting another Craigslist advertisement. Then once again they returned to the Bay Area.
Tigard, Oregon, United States
Shanelle Nichole Carlson is a 22 year old, white woman who put up sexually explicit ads of a 15 year old girl on Craiglist. "Nikki," as she was referred to in ads, was in the custody of Carlson with the permission of her mother. After the latest ad was put on Craiglist showing "Nikki" in sex acts with two different "johns," Tigard police aprehended Carlson. Carlson had been staying with the minor at a Motel Six where they had been staying for a few days.
Lacey, Washington, United States
Ramon Maldonado (age 49) of Olympia, Washington is the former owner of Ramon's Flooring and Carpet Installation, Inc., of Lacey, Washington. After his arrest, his business changed its name to JC Flooring. In June, 2005, Maldonado offered to employ a man (we'll call him J.G.) in his flooring business. J.G. is a Mexican National who was living in Apatzingan, Michoacan, Mexico. Ramon Maldonado provided money to J.G. to pay his smuggling fees. Once J.G. arrived in the US, Maldonado required him to repay his smuggling fees by working for his flooring company. Maldonado told J.G. that he could be arrested and deported because he was in the country illegally if he tried to leave. J.G. lived in the garage of Maldonado's home while working 14-17 hours a day installing carpet and providing manual labor to the flooring company.
Hayward, United States
Trafficker Aaron Pierre Brown Aka Mac Prozac, aka Prozac, aka Pro, aka Pierre, aka Daddy, aka Jamar P. Adanadus, aka Jamar Adanandus, aka Jamar Pierre Adanandus. Age 28, lived in Hayward, CA Indicted for pimping out three underage girls in both California and Arizona. Brown bought lingerie for the girls, took pictures of them, and then advertised them on Craigslist. Brown spent time with the girls in his apartment on Civic Center Drive and in San Jose Hotels. It was reported by one of the girls that she was frequently beaten and had had her nose broken from one beating. He reportedly used such items such as cords and wire hangers. According to the complaint, Brown encouraged at least one victim to read a book he authored which contained rules the minor had to obey while working as a prostitute. Victims alleged that Brown controlled everything and would force victims to work on “tracks,” in his apartment and in hotels throughout California and in Arizona. Brown also had unprotected sex with at least one of the girls, giving him a son in January
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
A false promise of a $500-a-week baby-sitting job lured illegal immigrant Marlene Harpi from New York City to Indianapolis in 2001. But when she arrived here, the job turned out to be quite different. Police say Harpi was held in a Westside Indianapolis brothel and forced to have sex with at least 15 to 20 men a day. Two Hispanic teenage girls, who like Harpi had been recruited from New York, were also prisoners of the prostitution ring. Her captors warned her that she would "disappear" if she tried to flee. After three days at the West 16th Street house, Harpi was taken to a duplex on Sherman Drive just north of East Washington Street. There, her sex slavery continued for another three days.
Des Moines, WA, United States
Two Seattle men, Joseph Olive (22) and Turomne Washington (19) coerced two 17-year-old Bellingham girls to work as prostitutes in Des Moines. Police said Olive gave one girl a pair of high-heel shoes and ordered her to make him some money. Washington is accused of telling the other girl to do the same. After earning $50 by having sex with strangers twice, one girl called the mother of the other girl, police said. Court papers say the other girl had sex with about 14 people and turned over all her earnings to Olive and Washington.
Lynnwood, WA and Everett, WA, United States
In early 2007, Jerome Eugene Todd, 28, recruited a female victim to work as a prostitute in Lynnwood, Washington. TODD and an indicted co-defendant photographed the woman and posted her pictures on the internet through Craigslist offering commercial sex acts. TODD set the prices for the sex acts, and provided the female victim with cell phones so he could manage her activities. He told the victim that she needed to follow his rules, and threatened to beat her. On three occasions he beat the woman and grabbed her by the throat. Also in 2007, he trafficked the woman to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he had her work as a prostitute. In July 2007, TODD recruited a second victim to work as a prostitute, also in Lynnwood, Washington. He controlled all of her activities, set strict rules, and threatened her repeatedly. He directed her to respond to prostitution calls, and to hand over all of the money to him. He did not allow the second woman to contact family or friends. On two occasions, he assaulted her when she attempted to disobey his rules and to escape. In September 2007, TODD enticed a third victim to work as a prostitute. Similar to the first and second victims, he had this woman’s photograph posted on Craigslist, advertising services for sex. TODD again imposed harsh rules that the woman had to abide by, and would assault her when he believed that she was intending, or did, violate his rules. He also physically blocked her from leaving him by requiring this woman to place all of their assets and financial debts in her name to compel her to work for him. TODD used the proceeds from these three women to rent rooms at motels and apartments, purchase condoms, lubricants, cell phones, airplane tickets, and lingerie, and placed ads in Seattle Weekly. He also used the criminal proceeds to support a lavish lifestyle, and purchased high-end jewelry and clothing. Todd may have used some of the profits to make back child support payments. He owes more than $70,000 to seven different women for his kids, all under the age of 7, according to court records filed in Snohomish County Superior Court. Records show that Todd made payments during the months he allegedly ran the prostitution ring. Some of those payments were as little as $5. One woman told detectives Todd stashed his money in boxes at home, afraid if he used a bank the state would seize his earnings to pay off his back child support. Todd also faces additional charges for allegations that he violated the conditions of his federal probation. Todd was convicted of bank fraud in 2004 and has been under federal supervision since then. Todd also has a warrant for his arrest for failing to make complete child support payments. Todd describes himself as a "private caregiver" who sometimes has trouble collecting from his clients. He doesn't have any employment history. His probation officer noted that Todd often arrives in lavish vehicles driven by different women and always has money on him, according the search warrant. Two of the women who worked for Todd believe he may have earned up to $300,000 during the past two years.
Denver, Colorado - actual location not disclosed, United States
After a two-year-investigation, Denver police said they have busted a major prostitution ring that employed 50 female prostitutes, including children. Investigators found more than $30,000 cash, and the sex trafficking ring was raking in more than $1,000,000 a year since 2005. Police said the ring operated not from Tang's home but from an undisclosed location in Denver. Neighbors noticed that "something" wasn't right with the hours she was keeping. Tang is being held on nine felony counts of pimping, procurement, pandering of a child and keeping a place of prostitution. Police believe she recruited underage girls from other states. Todd Allen Powellis being held in the Denver city jail for investigation of pimping, conspiracy and other prostitution-related offenses.
Castlewood, Colorado, United States
Two people have been arrested for allegedly withholding pay from two of their employees and threatening them with deportation. The FBI took Young Jo Kwon and his wife, Jessie Kwon, into custody Tuesday and charged them with five counts of theft and forgery. The Kwons are accused of forcing two South Korean immigrant employees to work without pay while they were the owners of Osaka Sushi in Denver. They allegedly threatened two of their employees with the revocation of their "sponsorship," which the Kwons claimed would result in the deportation of the employees' families. One of the informed the FBI that Young Jo Kwon claimed ties to the Korean mafia, and Kwon allegedly told Choi "he knew how to hurt someone who did not obey."
San Diego, Ca, United States
Quoted from the Imperial Valley News: "According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Tenorio, who is prosecuting the case with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Black admitted that he recruited and enticed a juvenile to work as a prostitute for his financial benefit between August 15, 2007 and October 11, 2007. Black admitted that he took photographs of the juvenile wearing lingerie and in provocative poses that were then placed in ads posted on the “Craigslist” website to solicit dates. The dates, however, were prostitution “johns” who responded to the ads and made arrangements to have sex with the juvenile in exchange for payment. Black drove the juvenile to and from hotels, where she performed the prearranged acts of prostitution. Black further admitted that he received all of the proceeds the juvenile received in exchange for acts of prostitution. http://www.imperialvalleynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3510&Itemid=1
Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Vancouver, BC, Canada, United States
Adam Jermaine Ingram, 20, and Kevin Roy Woods, 18, forced two Canadian girls, ages 13 and 14, to have sex with them and others as they trafficked the girls between Vancouver, Seattle and Portland. The girls were in foster homes when they were abducted by Woods and Ingram. The 13-year-old told authorities that two Americans bought her from a Vancouver man for $3,000 on Dec. 12. The FBI said the men intended to take both girls to San Diego and make them work in an escort agency. Along the way, they stopped in Bellingham and Seattle and forced the girls to have sex with them and with other men.
Lakewood, Washington, United States
Abdenasser Ennassime, also known as Sammy, and his wife Tonya Ennassime brought their niece, Lamyaá, from Morocco to come stay with them when she was 12-years old (in September 2001). They arranged that Lamyaá would help care for the couple’s son and help with the housework, in exchange for lodging and the opportunity for good education. Instead, Lamyaá made breakfast and dinner, did the laundry, cleaned the house, and worked weekends and summers at the family espresso stand without pay. The espresso stand is called Lake City Perk. In March 2004, Sammy read Lamyaá’s diary, in which she complained about being mistreated. He then hit her, and withdrew her from school. After the incident, she was forced to work longer hours at the espresso stand, 12-14 hours at a time, and he took all her tips, which totaled about $5,000. He threatened to report her for being in the country illegally. Lamyaá was never given a house key, and her uncle took her documents and identification.
Presidio, Texas, United States
Jorge Carrasco Sanchez trafficked a woman to the US on April 29, 2002. Sanchez met the 16-year old victim in Ojinaga, Mexico, and brought her to the US. She was sexually assaulted by Sanchez, and he also threatened to kill her.
Stone Mountain, Georgia, United States
From 2000 to 2005 Jimmie Lee Jones, also known as “Mike Spade,” conspired to force six victims to engage in commercial sex acts. Jones knew that two of the victims were minors. He recruited young women at colleges, stores, events, and restaurants saying he represented a successful modeling and casting agency- called either Candy Girl Casting or Dime Piece Entertainment. An associate, names Michelle, a woman who had found modeling work would recruit victims as potential models. After the victims became comfortable around him, he told them it was necessary that they work in strip clubs as dancers, because they needed to be more comfortable with their bodies before they could be models. Five of the victims signed contracts stating they would pay him between $300 and $450 every week for 52 weeks. The contracts states that Jones would find them work modeling or in music videos. He also required that the women give him their social security number. Jones then became physically and verbally abusive. Under these threats, Jones forced the victims to travel, primarily to Florida, Alabama, and Indiana, to engage in prostitution.
Hartford, CT, United States
On June 14, 2007 Dennis Paris was found guilty for operating a sex trafficking ring. He was found guilty of four counts of sex trafficking, one count of conspiracy, money laundering, and 13 counts of using interstate facilities to promote and conduct a prostitution business. Nine other defendants in the case have pleaded guilty to charges of sex trafficking of minors and sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. One of these co-defendants, Shanaya Hicks, was sentenced to 46 months in prison. Brian Forbes, another defendant in the case, was sentenced to 156 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $16,339 in restitution to the victims.
El Paso, Texas, United States
Sardar Gasanov, and his wife Nadira Gasanov recruited women from their hometown of Tashkent, Uzbekistan to come to the US with the promise of modeling jobs and the ability to bring their family to the US after them. Sargar is was a research assistant in the Biological Science Department at the University of Texas at El Paso. The couple got J-1 visas for the victims, which stated they were scientists who would be doing research for the University of Texas at El Paso. Once the women arrived, their immigration documents and passports were taken by the Gasanovs, and they were forced to work seven days a week at strip clubs in El Paso. They were forced to work through threats of deportation and threats against their families, which enticed the women to work hard and give all their earnings to the Gasanovs. It is estimated the couple made over $700,000 from their business from 1998-2001.
Brooklyn, NY, United States
Alex Babaev and Asker Memmedov recruited women to come to the US from Azerbajaijan to work as prostitutes. From March 2003 to March 2004 women were forced to work through violence and verbal threats. The victims were told they could keep half of the earning from working, but received none of it, and had their passports taken.
Berwyn, PA, United States
William Strunk, Chun Yong Madden, and John Evans Jr. operated a prostitution business located in Berwyn, PA on Lancaster Ave. called “Swan Day Spa.” From April 2005 to January 2008 Evans recruited women from China to come to the spa to provide sexual services to clients. Victims believed they would have legitimate jobs as masseuses. When the victims refused to work, they were told they could not leave and were threatened that immigration authorities would be called. The women were available to customers 12 hours a day, six days a week. The victims were give $15 for each customer, of the $60 to $65 fee they were charged. Total profits from the business totaled $195,000.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
In 2001, Victor Nikolayevich Virchenko, Pavel Vasilievich Agafonov, and Tony Kennard each pleaded guilty to transporting minors for illegal sexual activity, six counts of forced labor, six counts of immigration fraud, and coercion to perform in a strip club through a scheme that relied on threats, isolation, and confiscation of passports, visas, and plane tickets. Virchenko was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by deportation. This was the first case to be prosecuted under TVPA.
Allegany, NY, United States
The federal government. The rescued victims did not have any resources to rebuild their lives, so St. Bonaventure University raised some money to give them a jump start.
Brooklyn, NY, United States
Lev Trakhtenberg and two associates recruited Russian women to come to the US with the promise of legitimate jobs performing cultural dance shows, good pay, and housing accomnnodations. After arriving, the victims were forced to work in strip clubs and threatened physically and emotionally if they did not do as they were told. After one of the victims escaped, Trakhtenberg threatened to physically harm her family in Russia if they did not pay the money he claimed she owed. Between summer of 1999 and August, 2002 Trakhtenberg and his associates brought more than 25 victims to the US to work in his clubs. Victims worked dancing nude in clubs six days a week, for eight to ten hours a day. They were forced to pay $1,200 to Trakhtenberg. They had their passports and travel documents taken
Brookline, MA, United States
Tahira Juma, a Boston University School of Public Health graduate student, and her husband Saleem Al-Khaboriof, an engineer, faced a federal lawsuit for "engaging in human trafficking and modern day slavery" in 2004. The couple came to Boston in January 2003, from their native country of Oman so that Juma could study at Boston University, according to the suit. Naseem Mohamed Siraj, who had been a member of the couple's household staff in Oman, alleged that the couple threatened to abandon her in Oman with no money to return to her family in India, where she has three children, if she didn't come with them to Boston. In Boston, Siraj was forced to care around-the-clock for four children ages 4-10 and was paid sporadic amounts totaling about $1,250 for 15 months. She had no bed and was fed only the children's leftovers, according to the suit. She was never allowed to leave the home alone and endured "a constant barrage of verbal taunts, abusive language and disobedient behavior from the children," the suit claims. When she vowed to leave, her employers "intimidated Mrs. Siraj by telling her that if she left, she would be arrested and thrown in jail."
Atlanta, GA, United States
The arrests were made as part of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. All three men were indicted in January 2004 on multiple charges of conspiracy, sex trafficking, importing and harboring aliens for the purpose of prostitution, alien smuggling, and interstate transportation of illegal aliens. Jose and Juan Rojas pleaded guilty. Jose was sentenced to 57 months in prison and three years supervised release. Juan was sentenced to 71 months in prison and three years supervised release. Raul remains a fugitive.
Brighton, Massachusetts, United States
In 2004, Roman Valdma was sentenced to 41 months in prison and three years supervised release for charges of importation of aliens for immoral purposes, transportation for illegal sexual activity, persuading and enticing illegal sexual activity, encouraging and inducing aliens to come to the US in violation of the law, brining na alien to the US without official authorization for commercial advantage, and visa fraud. Valdma was also ordered to pay a $75,000 fine, and to forfeit $80,000 in cash, a car, and a condo to the government.
Monroe, North Carolina, United States
Three arrests were made total, including Jarkowsky and two employees*. *These employees are the victims. See below. These two were bonded out of jail but are scheduled to appear in court in September 2008. The Island Spa was shut down.
Flushing, NY, United States
Wun and Kyongja Kang promised victims from Seoul a better life in the U.S. and work in their bar “Renaissance Bar & Room Café” in Flushing. The women were told they would have respectable jobs keeping customers company at the bar and pouring drinks. After arrival, the victims were told they each owed Kang a $10,000 smuggling debt and for their rent. The victims were never paid for their work, and their passports were taken. The victims were told they could work of their debt faster if they preformed sex acts for customers. When they tried to escape they were caught and sexually assaulted.
Austin, Texas, United States
Lopez-Torres was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for importation of aliens for immoral purposes, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a stolen firearm.
King County, Seattle, WA, United States
Steven Lorenzo J. Leonard, 23, befriended and coerced a 12-year-old girl into prostitution. The girl told police that a mutual friend introduced her to Leonard on Jan. 9 and he invited her to hang out, then had unprotected sex with her that night and several times in the ensuing days. The two stayed at the homes of several women who described themselves as his fiancees. Leonard also made the girl walk the street in downtown Seattle, performing tricks (sexual acts) for "johns," then made her turn over the money to Leonard, her new pimp. Steven Leonard has an extensive record; he has been convicted of escape, possessing stolen property, theft, obstructing a public officer and animal cruelty.
Alexandria, Virginia, United States
Hans Gouw and Harjanto Komala recruited young women, ages 16 to 23, to come to the U.S. to work as exotic dancers and prostitutes. Once the victims arrived in the U.S. they were told they had to work for Gouw for at least one year. Gouw then confiscated their passports, and kept the women monitored at all times (when they were at work or at the common house where they were kept when not working). Komala would identify women in Indonesia, and send Gouw their picture, as well as information about height, age, and weight. Komala, Gouw, and other associates then recruited the women to work in the U.S.
Austin, Texas, United States
Maricela Uresti-Martinez and Violeta Juanita De Hoyos-Hernandez recruited and trafficked the victims (minors from Mexico) to come to the U.S. from November 2002 to May 2003. Uresti-Martinez recruited the women, saying that they could come to the U.S. and would work for a short time in her restaurant to repay their $1500 smuggling fee. After reaching Austin, the victims were held against their will, and forced to engage in prostitution to repay their fee. They were threatened to be killed if they did not do as they were told.
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Million Express Manpower Inc. recruited 22 Thai workers from Bangkok to work in the agriculture industry in the United States promising them H2A Visas, three years worth of work, and travel/living expenses. The recruiters required each worker to pay up to $11,000 in fees and confiscated their passports and tickets as collateral for payment. Upon arriving in the United State they were forced to work on Howell Farms in North Carolina until they were relocated to New Orleans. In New Orleans they worked on renovating hotels destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The trafficking victims were forced to live in the dilapidated hotels while they were renovating them.
Norcross, Georgia, United States
Five men - four of them related: Amador Cortes-Meza, 34; Juan Cortes-Meza, 31; Francisco Cortes-Meza, 25; Raul Cortes-Meza, 21; and Edison Wagner Rosa Tort, 69. The Cortes-Meza family members, all Mexican nationals, were arrested June 5 in Norcross where they were living. Authorities took Tort, a legal permanent resident originally from Uruguay, into custody June 24 in Cartersville. They were charged with bringing at least 10 young Mexican women into the U.S. illegally and forcing them to work as prostitutes in metro Atlanta. The defendants allegedly used threats, coercion, and physical violence to force the girls to cooperate. The women were delivered to clients' apartments or homes and were required to have sex with up to 30 men per day (according to legal authorities). Prosecutors accuse the men of conspiring to seduce, entice, and recruit the women, ages 14-28, to travel to metro Atlanta from Mexico, with promises of legitimate jobs. Four women survivors involved were under 18 years old.
Hawaii, United States
Kil Soo Lee, former owner of a Daewoosa American Somoa factory, forced over 200 Vietnamese and Chinese people to work in his garment factory. The victims were recruited from China and state-owned labor companies in Vietnam. Each worker paid fees ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 to be brought the U.S. and for their job in the factory. Lee and his co-workers threatened the victims with deportation if they spoke against their poor working conditions and minimal pay. In March of 1999, workers complained about their situation to local residents in an attempt to get more food. Lee responded by arresting and deporting some of the victims, depriving the rest of food, and physically beating the workers so they continued working. A woman lost an eye due to one of these beatings. The victims continued to work in the factory until November 2000. When the victims were recruited to come work in the factory they were promised $408 per month in wages, as well as free food and housing. They were not given any of these things, and Lee took their travel documents. The clothes made in the factory were commonly sold in Sears and JcPenny stores.
Germantown, Maryland, United States
George Udeozor brought the victim from Nigeria to the U.S. in 1996, when she was 14 years old. The victim was forced to care for Udeozor’s children and perform household chores until October 2001. The victim was physically and sexually assaulted while living in the Udeozor home, and was not allowed to attend school. She was brought to the U.S. on a passport that was not her own, and her family had been promised that she would be paid for her work, and allowed to attend school. She was threatened by Udeozor and his wife, and told that is she resisted she would be sent back to Nigeria.
Collier County, FL, United States
Jose Tecum trafficked Maria Choz from her home in Guatemala through Mexico and Arizona to his home in Southern Florida. The victim was forced to work on Tecum’s tomato-picking crew during the day, and required to give Tecum her earnings. At night, she was sexually assaulted by Tecum, who destroyed her identification cards.
Litchfield, New Hampshire, United States
Timothy Bradley and Kathleen O’Del recruited four men from Jamaica to come to the U.S. to work for Bradley’s tree cutting business. After arrival, the victims were threatened verbally and physically to work, their passports were taken, and they were not allowed to go places freely. The victims were forced to work for the Bradley Tree Service during the spring and summer of 2000 and 2001. Bradeley ordered his dog to attack one of the men when he attempted to escape. The victims were forced to live in a tool shed and a trailer in the couple’s backyard, and were charged $50 rent each week. When one of the victims was injured on the job he was denied medical care.
savannah,ga, United States
Specific details unknown. Only information known is that a neighbor took the child to a local hospital because she was complaining of stomach pain. By this time the girl was 13 years old. It was soon discovered that she was 6 months pregnant. She had an emergency C-section ahd gave birth to a baby boy.
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Mariska Trisanti and her husband Herri Nasution recruited two women from Indonesia to come to Los Angeles to work in their home. Trisanti brought the victims to the US in 1997, on a tourist visa under the agreement that they would work for two years as nannies and housekeepers in her home. After arrival, Trisanti took their passports and other documents. The victims were forced to work seven days a week, for 17 hours or more each day. They were threatened with physical abuse and told they would be sent to jail if they did not work. The victims were not paid for their work.
Cape Coral, FL, United States
Specific details unknown. Only information known is that a neighbor took the child to a local hospital because she was complaining of stomach pain. By this time the girl was 13 years old. It was soon discovered that she was 6 months pregnant. She had an emergency C-section ahd gave birth to a baby boy.
Jamaica, New York, United States
Woodly Gaston. 22 year old Ozone Park, NY manBrown also alleges that Gaston advertised the victim on Craig’s List. The victim, it is alleged, was expected to have sex with approximately 10 men a day and to give Gaston all the money she earned prostituting herself. It is also alleged that during this time, the teenage victim stayed at Gaston’s house, where he had sexual intercourse with her and repeatedly threatened to kill her if she left him or went with another pimp.
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
In response to the Devastation brought on by Hurricane Katrina Signal International contracted with a recruiting firm run by Sachin Dewan. Dewan to bring 500 Indian construction workers on H2-B ten month visa. Signal and Dewan required the men to pay up to $20,000 to secure a position and visa. The skilled welders and construction workers were brought to the US under false pretense believing they were receiving permanent residency for their work. Many of the men were forced to live in cramped quarters with 20 other men and required to pay 1,050 for food and shelter.
Minneapolis, United States
A Somali family not related to the young girl. Instead they came to her village and approached her parents and asked if they could take the girl, their daughter, to America with them. The young girl's parents agreed. The family brought her to the U.S using a different name and reporting that the girl was their daughter. When the girl arrived to this country, the new family wanted her to do all the housework, baby-sit their other children and completely serve them. The family was also abusive to the young girl. When the young girl refused to cooperate, the family contacted the child protection authorities and reported that they could not keep the child. The young girl was taken by the child protection authorities and was raised in the foster system.
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Antonio (Tony) DiBenedetto, the owner of Rocco's Bakery, his wife, Anna and their two sons, Ferdinando and Giovanni are being sued for allegedly trafficking a family from Ecuador to work in their bakery. The family says Tony DiBenedetto beckoned them to the U.S. with the promise of labor, then kept them under a form of modern slavery, forcing them to work long hours below minimum wage and demanding sexual favors from the women in exchange for rent money.
Silver Spring, Md., United States
In November 1996, Theresa Mubang used a fake passport to bring Evelyn Chumbow (then 11 years old) from Cameroon to the U.S. Mubang told the victim’s family the girl would have a better life and educational opportunities in the U.S. Mubang did not allow the victim to communicate with her family, and forced her to work as a cook and maid in her home. Chumbow was also forced to care for Mubang’s children as well as a neighbor’s child, and slept on the floor. The victim was not allowed to attend school, or to leave the home except for designated tasks. She was mentally, verbally, and physically abused. After investigation, ICE officials found that Mubang also brought another young girl from Cameroon to the U.S. prior to Chumbow. Her name was Cecilia Nkolo. Mubang sent her back to Cameroon after the victim repeatedly called the police and Maryland Child Welfare Services reporting her situation.
Hyattsville, Maryland, United States
Javier RamierezAccording to his plea agreement, Ramirez took the girl to Maryland and Virginia, where she had sex with clients from August 2005 to June 2006. The girl met with at least 25 clients per day, and gave most of the money she earned to Ramirez. She told the clients that she was 20 years old.
The Woodlands, Texas, United States
Couple from Nigeria purchased the victim when she was 16 years old from her family in Nigeria promising a better life and education. She was forced to be a domestic slave and work outside the home to repay her debt bondage. There were incidents of violence against her and threats of violence against her siblings if she contacted authorities.
Brooklyn, NY, United States
Chai Hock Ng trafficked three women from Indonesia to work in brothels first in Connecticut then in Brooklyn. The victims knew the man as Johnny, who recruited them, saying that for $3,000 the women would receive a falsified visa, a plane ticket, and a restaurant job in New York. After arriving, the women were told they would be working as prostitutes, and threatened with being shot by Ng and several of his friends. The victims were forced to have sex with men, who were charged $140 for 45 minutes, and told that they now owed Ng $30,000 and that he would make arrangements to sell them to brothels in order to collect his money.
Woodstock, GA, United States
Malika Garrett (wife) Russell Garrett (husband) D. William Garrett (father-in-law) Russell is a Forsyth County Deputy Sheriff and William is a Fulton County Magistrate County Judge of Alpharetta, GA. All three reside in Woodstock and all three were responsible for encouraging a female Indian to enter the US and serve as a nanny to Malika and Russell's children. They eventually quit paying her and restricted her from leaving their home. The woman worked up to 16 hours a day. As a means to prevent the woman from leaving and to scare her from leaving, the couple threatened her with jail and deportation and also threatened to spread lies about her character to her family back home in India. After the victim escaped, the couple conspired to spread rumors about the woman through out the community, accused her of theft, reported her illegal status to the authorities and accused her of engaging in terrorist activities.
Minneapolis, United States
An elder woman in the community where the victim lived. The trafficker offered to let the teenage victim live in her home while the victim was having family problems. The victim accepted and moved in. For over two years the victim was locked in the home and was not allowed to leave. The trafficker was abusive and threatening and forced the young woman to care for the trafficker's children. The trafficker also forced the young woman to sell Khat. The trafficker stole the victim's identity and used it to collect government benefits for herself. After the young woman had escaped the trafficker continued to harass and threaten the victim.
Asheville, NC, United States
A mother was selling her 12 yr old daughter as a prostitute to obtain drug money in Asheville NC.
Portland, OR, United States
Filed Oct. 8, Sarinya Reabroy’s lawsuit alleges that after persuading her in 2003 to sign a contract and move to Portland to be a line cook, Typhoon Inc., forced her to work 55 to 70 hours per week under unfair and unsafe conditions while facing “intimidation, coercion and harassment” – including the threat that she would be sent back to Thailand if she complained. In the lawsuit, Reabroy includes a contract she signed. It shows that if employees quit or are fired, they are required to reimburse the company for its recruiting and travel expenses. However, the lawsuit claims that the restaurant often used the contract to threaten and intimidate Thai kitchen workers with deportation and jail, leading them to accept improper conditions including working six days a week without legally required breaks, and verbal abuse by managers as well as groping and fondling by co-workers. The claims included that Typhoon managers confiscated workers’ passports for extended periods of time, and encouraged employees to spy on each other. Under her original contract, Reabroy was to be paid $1,500 a month, or $18,000 a year.
Waipahu, Hawaii, United States
In 2004 Lueleni Fetongi Maka brought seven Tongan men to Hawaii, promising them a better life. He then housed them in poor conditions and forced them to work in his landscaping business. Maka maintained control of the victims through beatings and threatening deportation. At times the beatings were so severe they could not work because of their injuries. The victims worked sunrise to sunset trimming trees and building rock walls. Maka paid victims between $100 and $200, if at all.
Brookfield, WI, United States
Jefferson Calimlim Sr. and his wife Elnora, doctors in Milwaukee, recruited and brought the victim from the Philippines to the U.S. in 1985 when she was 19 years old. The victim was not allowed to go outside of the couple's home, communicate or socialize, and had to hide in the basement whenever non-family members were at the house. The victim was told she would be arrested and deported is she was found. The couple told the victim that her wages would be kept in an account, however she had no idea where the account was and could not access it.
Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
In 2004, Juan and Ellilian Ramos paid $250 for Guatemalan cousins Maria de Jesus Batres and Floridalma Sales Flores to come to the U.S. work as maids or cooks and send money back to their families. Ramos told the victims that after they had paid off their $250 debt, they would be paid $125 a week. The victims were given insufficient food and water, few breaks from work, and basically no pay. The women worked up to 21-hour days, either in the Ramos' home or an adult daycare center run by Ramos' sister, where they persuaded elderly men to live in the facility. The victims faced sexual harassment, battery, emotional, and physical abuse. They were threatened by the traffickers with threats to report the women to immigration authorities or the police.
Jackson, Wyoming, United States
Jacobo Dominguez Vazquez, Jose Luis Chavez, and Braulio Anceto Velez trafficked a 13-year old Mexican girl to the United States specifically for prostitution. She was brought to Jackson, Wyoming in March 2004 with the promise of a better life in the United States. After her arrival, the traffickers told her she would be forced to have sex for money, in order to pay her smuggling fee. The men then solicited business for the girl, keeping all the profits and operating out of local motels in March and April, 2004. The men charged $80 to $100 for each sex act. On April 18, 2004, a customer complained about the price, and called the police. The three men, along with a fourth suspect, Armando Salas, left Jackson with the victim for Phoenix, AZ. Eight months later they returned to Jackson.
Farmington Hills, MI, United States
Joseph and Evelyn Djoumessi brought the victim, a 14-year old girl from Cameroon, to the U.S. in October 1996 to work against her will as a domestic servant in their home. The victim took care of the couple's children, cleaned the home, and was beaten in make sure she performed her duties. Joseph also sexually abused the victim. The victim worked for the couple until February 2000.
Sugar Land, Texas, United States
Sugar Land woman Rozina Ali trafficked a 32-year old Indonesian woman to work in her home. The victim began to work for Ali in Malaysia through an Indonesian employment agency in 2002. After two weeks, Ali brought the woman to the U.S. After saying she wanted to return to Malaysia, Ali took the victim's passport and visa. The victim was forced to work 18 hours a day or longer, cleaning, cooking, and doing yard work in Ali's home and for her relatives. When the victim's work was not satisfactory, she was beaten. She was paid a total of $420.
Irvine, CA, United States
Abdel Nasser Youssef Ibrahim and his ex-wife, Amal Ahmed Ewis-abd El Motelib were charged with forcing a 10-year-old girl to work as a domestic servant in their house in Irvine. The victim first began to work for the couple in 1999, while they still lived in Egypt. Following their move to the US in 2000, the couple arranged with her parents for the girl to be brought as well to work as a nanny and housekeeper. She was forced to work 16 hours a day as a domestic servant, helping the couple`s children get ready for school, preparing and serving food, cleaning, and doing laundry and yard work. Her passport was taken, and she was not paid for the 20 months she worked for the family. The victim was physically and verbally abused, and told she would be arrested if the police caught her outside the family's home.
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Isabel Consuelo Ochoa and her daughters Consuelo Pilar Ochoa and Maria de Jesus Ochoa trafficked young girls from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to San Antonio, Texas to work as prostitutes. The Ochoas recruited girls, saying they would work as escorts, but would not be required to have sex with the men. The three known victims in the case are 15, 17, and 22 years old. After arrival, the Ochoas told victims they had to work five years as prostitutes to pay back the money spent to come to the U.S. A male associate of the Ochoas threatened the victims with a gun, telling them that should the girls leave he would find their families in Mexico and have them killed.
Aurora, CO, United States
Sarah Khonaizan and Homaidan Al-Turki brought the victim from Indonesia to cook, clean, and care for the couple's children in their home, and paid her less than $2 for her work. Al-Turki also sexually assaulted the victim. She was forced to sleep on a mattress in the basement. The victim worked seven days a week from 2000 to 2004. Al-Turki told her she would be arrested by immigration officials if she tried to leave the home. The victim was recruited to work for Khonaizan through an employment agency in Saudi Arabia in 1999. Khonaizan and her children left Saudi Arabia three months later, leaving the victim to work in relatives' homes for the next, until she joined the family again in Colorado.
Mission, Texas, United States
Juan and Judith Ramos trafficked two women across the U.S.-Mexico border, promising them good jobs. After arrival, the victims were put to work in the couple's Adult Daycare center, and occasionally in their home. In total, the victims worked 1,300 hours without pay before they escaped. They were also harassed and threatened by the couple. The victims were told if they did not cooperate, they would be deported.
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Alena Okhotina (a Russian national) paid for her 18-year-old niece to fly to Los Angeles from Russia. Upon arrival, Okhotina took her niece's passport and declared she would have to work as a prostitute and told her she would be arrested for her illegal status in the U.S. if she went to the police. The teenager engaged in prostitution in California and in Las Vegas, Nevada. Okhotina took the money the teen earned.
Minneapolis, United States
The trafficker has a history of sex trafficking and violent crimes, was charged in December 2006 with recruiting a 16-year-old Rogers girl into a life of prostitution and stripping jobs. On Monday, U.S. District Judge David Doty ordered McNeal to spend more than 24 years in federal prison, to be followed by a lifetime on supervised release. That made McNeal the first casualty in U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose's year-old initiative to crack down on human trafficking.
Cartersville, GA, United States
The trafficker is Harrison "Hardbody" Norris, a former professional wrestler. He has two residences in Cartersville, GA. It is known that he has been running prostitution rings in Atlanta, GA since 2001. Norris, with several partners, operated a scheme where they recruited vulnerable women and promised them that they could train to be professional wrestlers. Instead, the women were held captive, physically abused, held in debt, and forced to perform numerous sexual acts against their will. Norris also had several of the women perform domestic work on his house such as painting and laying sod.
San Francisco, CA, United States
-SF operation allegedly run by Young Joon Yang, who lived in Beverly Hills. Allegedly used YJY Travel and Tour, a travel agency in the city (3001 Geary Blvd), to bring in women from Korea, and Yang's Taxi, a cab company, to transport them. Prostitutes were also flown to work in Las Vegas, Dallas, New York, and Boston. -Other major players: Wu Sang Nah (aka Kang Nah), Sung Yong Kim (aka Nam Kim), Myong Su Ahn (Paula Lee), Nam Young Lee. -Some evidence that ringleaders for SF and Southern California were communicating with each other and sharing girls. -Targeted women from impoverished areas of South Korea, offering them jobs as waitresses & bar hostesses in America, and charging them fees that they would then have to pay off. -King's Massage Parlor (315 Jessie Street, SF) Allegedly ran by Fred A. Frazier. Building owned by Ahdi M. Nashashibi, who was also charged. This was a major outpost in the operations; many prostitutes arrived there first before being moved elsewhere. -Golden Flower Steam & Sauna Spa (215 Second Street, SF) Allegedly ran by Anthony Gar Lau, who pleaded guilty in 2007 and was sentenced to one year in prison. Also ordered to forfeit $1M in profits from the spa and two years of supervised release after his prison term. -House on Knollwood Drive, Saratoga Operated by Keun Sung Lee. -Sun Spa (Geary Blvd, SF) and Acucare Oriental Spa (Emeryville) also involved
Culver City, CA, United States
In 2001, Elizabeth Jackson arranged to have Nena Ruiz (of the Philippines) brought to the U.S. to work as traveling companion and caretaker for Jackson's mother. After arrival, Ruiz lived with Jackson and her husband James. Jackson then confiscated the victim's passport, and used intimidation and threats of deportation to keep her from leaving. The victim was forced to work 16-18-hour days while being paid less than $400 a year. The victim, Nena Ruiz, was also forced to sleep on a dog bed in the family's living room. Elizabeth also hit the pulled the victim's hair, and hit her.
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
The trafficker imported Asian women for the use of forced prostitution in the Coure de Lane area.
Long Beach, CA, United States
Evelyn Pelayo recruited workers in the Philippines, promising them legitimate work at her Long Beach nursing homes (located on East Vernon and East Walton streets). Deafeliz, who teaches taekwondo, listed the recruited workers as students who were visiting the United States for martial arts competitions, and taught them enough taekwondo moves to fool immigration officials. Upon arrival, workers were forced to work at Pelayo's facilities, and their passports were taken by the traffickers, who also threatened arrest, deportation, and theft charges if workers tried to run away. Workers were told not to interact with families of the elderly, and to lie about working conditions and hours if they were questioned by local/state inspectors.
Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States
20-year-old coerced 14-year-old into running away introduced her to drugs and forced her into prostitution Accused: Sandra Panecka age 20.
San Rafael, CA, United States
The victim was a 16-year-old girl who ran away from her home in Washington. She arrived in the Bay Area on August 3, 2007. She had met the suspect in MySpace and came to the Bay Area to meet him, but there was no mention of prostitution until after she had arrived. Upon her arrival, the suspect told the victim that she must prostitute herself. According to San Rafael police spokesperson Margo Rohrbacher, "[The suspect] told her that he wanted her to prostitute herself, or his friends would look up her family and hurt them … She would give all her money to him, and he would give her money for food and clothing. She was staying with him at some location in the East Bay." Police found the girl on the street, where she appeared to be looking for sexual customers. They stopped to question her, and she told them her situation. Under their direction, she called the suspect, saying she had a customer waiting and asking how much to charge. The suspect gave her instructions and said he would meet her at the Canal area Burger King to collect the money. Police arrested the suspect when he drove up to the restaurant. Police also found marijuana in his car, which was impounded. The suspect was arraigned on 8/10/2007 on charges of “soliciting for a prostitute, pandering, unlawful sex by fraud or fear, sale or transportation of marijuana and driving with a suspended or revoked license”
Edina/Richfield/Minneapolis/Austin, Minnesota, United States
This case is the result of an investigation by ICE, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the St. Paul Police Department, with the assistance of the police departments from Minneapolis, Richfield, Austin and West St. Paul. The investigation was also aided by the Gerald D. Vick Human Trafficking Task Force. Hisep-Roman was sentenced to 28 months in prison and three years of supervised release on one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S.
Minneapolis, MN, United States
Daniel McNeal, A 36-year-old Minneapolis man, who also goes by the names of “Diamond” and “Daddy,” has a long criminal history, including assault, aggravated robbery and prostitution-related offenses. He is also recognized as a criminal sex offender in connection with a 2001 conviction in Texas for enticement to travel in interstate commerce for the purpose of prostitution. Trafficked individual across several state lines, including Iowa, Texas and South Carolina. McNeal was sentenced to 293 months in federal prison.
Burnsville, Minnesota, United States
Justine Alex Reisdorf, a 19-year-old Burnsville woman. Her indictment alleges that between November 2006 and March 2007, Reisdorf operated a prostitution ring. Court documents stated that Reisdorf knowingly employed female students under the age of 18 from Minnesota School District 191 to serve as prostitutes for that business. Reisdorf’s operation was advertised on the Internet, specifically through listings on Craigslist.com. Those listings advertised both adult and minor prostitution services and displayed photographs of the females, along with available services and prices.
Central Islip, NY, United States
Mahender Murlidhar Sabhnani, 51, and his wife, Varsha Mahender Sabhnani, 45, were each convicted of all charges in a 12-count federal indictment that included forced labor, conspiracy, involuntary servitude, and harboring aliens. They were keeping two housekeeper in their house and paying them only $100-150 a month, all of which was sent back to their families. The women were forced to work 18 hours a day and were subjected to horrible abuses as "punishments" for actions like sleeping late or stealing food from the trash because they were underfed.
Las Vegas, NV, United States
Federal agents and Las Vegas police officers arrested six persons believed to have been illegally operating bordellos in Clark County. Officials seized 3,500 tabs of Ecstasy, $20,000 in cash, and detained 25 mostly non-English speaking Asian females during the raid. Agents and officers are investigating whether any of the female detainees are underage or if they were forced into prostitution.
Gaithersburg, MD, United States
Lloyd Mack Royal III, also known as “Blyss”, “B”, and “Furious” is a 29 year old male who, "preyed upon vulnerable minors and prostituted them by a variety of deplorable means for his own benefit” (Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force). He was convicted on March 24, 2010 of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking; sex trafficking of a minor; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; conspiracy to distribute drugs; and distribution of drugs to persons under 21, related to a scheme to prostitute three minor females.
Canal area of San Rafael, CA, United States
After San Rafael police arrested Parker, he was charged in Marin Superior Court but the case was dismissed in favor of federal prosecution for Sex Trafficking of a Minor, which resulted in a 130 month sentence (June 2008). US DOJ press release: http://www.justice.gov/usao/can/press/2008/2008_06_18_parker.sentenced.press.html Marin IJ story: http://www.marinij.com/ci_7069141?IADID=Search-www.marinij.com-www.marinij.com
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.
Seattle, WA, United States
Trafficker was indicted on June 21, 2007 for leading a human-smuggling ring that trafficked South Koreans into the United States through Canada. He pleaded guilty on April 7, 2008, and admitted that he smuggled between 25 and 99 Koreans into the United States. In July 2009, he was sentenced in a Seattle court to two years in federal prison, but had already served that time while he awaited the outcome of his case in the U.S. District Court. He was also sentenced to two years of supervised release for conspiracy to smuggle and transport aliens into the United States. Prosecutors said they sought an unusually light sentence for Sohn because he cooperated with authorities who were investigating other similar smuggling operations. After Sohn was indicted, he helped agents crack other smuggling rings that had been using the same safe houses as Sohn’s group.
wildwood, new jersey, United States
Bianchi's case is among more than 50 that have been brought under a largely untested 2003 law that puts Americans accused of preying on children overseas on trial in U.S. courtrooms. Several boys from Moldova were brought to Philadelphia to testify in 2007. They testified that Bianchi assaulted them in small boarding houses where he stayed during his trips. the Moldovan boys testified that Bianchi invited them to have dinner or go bowling with them, and before long made sexual advances. One boy said Bianchi raped him, while another said he was assaulted while he was intoxicated. Another said that Bianchi asked to sleep with him in his bed in his family's small apartment -- and that he fled when Bianchi started fondling him.
Oakland, CA, United States
In the plea agreement, pled guilty in United States District Court yesterday to two counts of transporting a minor for purposes of prostitution under 18 U.S.C. § 2423(a) and one count of transporting a person for purposes of prostitution under 18 U.S.C. § 2421. Mr. Bryant has agreed to serve a prison term of 96 months, with a subsequent term of supervised release of eight years. In addition, Mr. Bryant will be required to register as a sex offender. The prosecution, part of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood, is the result of the combined efforts of the Union City Police Department, the Mesa, Arizona Police Department, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office - Fremont Branch, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Project Safe Childhood is a national initiative launched last year by the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at combining federal, state and local law enforcement resources in order to bring more Internet-related child exploitation prosecutions, and to educate the public about the dangers that the Internet poses to children. Michelle Morgan-Kelly, the District’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator, is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case, with the assistance of legal assistant Cynthia Daniel.
orem, utah, United States
Jose Hernan Moreno-Sevilla and Alejandro M. Meza prosecutors say Jose Hernan Moreno-Sevilla and Alejandro M. Meza were paid to help a Peruvian man and others obtain illegal visas. The Peruvian man and at least two others were "loaded into a rented truck" in Arizona and brought to Orem to work for Hernan's construction company, court papers show. Each worker reportedly paid more than $10,000 for the move. While living with Hernan, each man worked up to 14 hours daily, over a six day week, earning just $9,500 annually. According to court papers Hernan kept all but $1,000 in wages and told the men they owed him the funds to cover costs related to their "smuggling, housing and transporting." Sources: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705301763/Utah-to-crack-down-on-human-trafficking.html http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=2374359
oacoma, south dakota, United States
Over the course of five days, the jury heard evidence from four victims and several other former employees who worked at the Farrell's hotel. The witnesses testified that they were brought into the United States from the Philippines to work under an agreement that promised the Farrells would pay them more than minimum wage for 40 hours of work per week. The victims hoped to earn money to send to their families in the Philippines. According to trial testimony, once the victims arrived in South Dakota, the Farrells confiscated their visas and passports, made them sign inflated and ever-increasing debt contracts, and held them to work around the clock. Witnesses described working from early morning until midnight, then being forced to attend meetings at the hotel during which the Farrells threatened the victims with violence and berated them about their debts and the quality of their work. These late night meetings sometimes lasted as long as six hours. One worker testified that she went without sleep for three days in a row. A U.S. Department of Labor investigator told the jury that he discovered records that indicated one Filipino worker worked as many as 160 hours in a week at the hotel. When not at the hotel, as many as nine Filipino workers were housed in a nearby two-bedroom apartment rented by the Farrells. According to testimony, the Farrells paid the victims almost nothing. To make payroll records look legitimate, the Farrells handed workers paychecks for them to endorse but immediately took the checks back and deposited them into their own hotel bank account.
cleveland, ohio, United States
The evidence presented at trial established that in June, 2007, FLINT and co-defendant James Roney brought two victims, a 15-year-old girl and an adult woman from Cleveland, Ohio to Detroit for the purpose of making money through prostitution and striptease dancing, and for the purpose of having sex with them. While in Detroit, defendant FLINT instructed the victims that they would have to engage in commercial sexual acts for money, including sexual intercourse and oral sex. Flint was sentenced with 135 months in prison.
canal area, San Rafael, CA, United States
From Marin Independant Journal, article by Gary Klien http://www.masscops.com/forums/cyber-crime/38889-feds-hit-myspace-pimp-suspect-child-sex-trafficking-charge.html "A 32-year-old man accused of pimping a teenage girl in San Rafael after meeting her through MySpace.com is now facing a federal sex trafficking charge. Melvin Parker Jr., a convicted felon from Richmond, could face 10 years to life in prison if convicted of the federal charge of sex trafficking of children, according to a complaint by the FBI. The federal government has an interest in the case because Parker allegedly enticed the victim, a 16-year-old runaway from Washington state, across state lines through MySpace, a social networking site. Federal law prohibits using "force, fraud or coercion" to get a minor across state or national boundaries to engage in a "commercial sex act." Parker, who was arrested in August, has already been charged in Marin Superior Court with soliciting for a prostitute, pandering, unlawful sex, sale or transportation of marijuana and driving without a license. He has pleaded not guilty." "Authorities said Parker put the girl up at the Economy Inn in San Pablo while making her work as a prostitute in Richmond, Concord and San Rafael." According to SF Chonicle, Parker picked up two girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation. http://www.sfgate.com/flat/archive/2007/10/12/chronicle/archive/2007/10/12/BAHISOPNC.html
Colma, California, United States
Sept. 2007: Police announced that two women had been arrested for allegedly offering prostitution services out of a massage therapy business, A-Care Health Center in Pacifica. Pacifica Police worked with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency and the Broadmoor Police Department to execute a search warrant after neighborhood complaints about lewd acts committed at the business surfaced, police reported. Jing Wang was arrested on prostitution charges, and Yu Fen Wang was detained by immigration enforcement officers and charged with immigration violations For original article, see: http://cbs5.com/crime/A.Care.Health.2.459643.html
Oakland, San Francisco, Alamdea County, San Jose, Cambell, United States
Law Enforcement from around Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, and Alameda county, FBI, and the DOJ consulted and constructed the operation Strikeout. Undercover work took place and 131 arrests were made.
Amherst, Baffalo, NY, United States
Yan Liu, 48 Ms.Liu spoke by telephone with an Asian woman then in California on several occasions in August, 2007 and persuaded the woman to purchase an airline ticket and travel to Buffalo for the purpose of working in a massage parlor owned or operated by the defendant. She owned or operated Asian Greenday Spa in West Seneca, New York and Rainbow Spa in Amherst, New York. The woman who traveled from California worked in Asian Greenday Spa and performed numerous sexual acts for customers and was paid in "tips" for these services while the parlor's base massage fee was paid over to Ms. Liu.
Norcross, Georgia, United States
The defendants in this case allegedly courted girls as young as 17 from Mexico, smuggled them into the United States under pretense and eventually conspired to transport them across state lines for the purposes of prostitution. According to federal Criminal Indictment NO. 1:08-CR-317-CC, five women were smuggled into the US, harbored as aliens, and had hidden from them the fact that they would be prostituted to repay the group for smuggling fees and other expenses. The indictment states that the Rugerios and Hernandez "targeted young, vulnerable women and teenagers with limited resources, and used violence, sexual assaults, threats of violence, threats of violence to family members, and threats of deportation and imprisonment, to compel the victims to engage in prostitution."
Gresham, Oregon, United States
The FBI obtained 2 search warrants in November 2007 and February 2008 and searched Hoffman's residence and found the images on his computer and charged him with child exploitation and trafficking sexually explicit photos via the internet. He had 70 sex related charges filed against him. His wife was also arrested for tampering with the evidence. She had known since 2005 and had concealed the evidence and let him continue to care for the kids. She was released on probation but had her custody removed and Mark Hoffman was sentenced to 50 years in prison in 2009.
Oakland, California, United States
Oakland Police department arrested the victim. Law enforcement from Arizona was also involved. They sent the victim back to California after a stay in the hospital.
Greenbelt, Maryland, United States
Paul Raymond Green, a/k/a “PJ,” age 23, of Washington, D.C., arranged on two separate occasions to provide minor victims to an acquaintance of Green’s who was paying to have sex with the victims. On both occasions “dippers” or “wets” (cigarettes dipped in phencyclidine liquid known as PCP), were available in the hotel room where the girls were brought to have sex. Green also sold cocaine to that same individual.
Crescent Springs, KY, United States
Yes, federal state and local authorities conducted an investigation into possible labor and trafficking charges at a Chinese restaurant. As a result following the raid the restaurant was closed and authorities have declined to release any other information.
Detriot, Michigan, United States
Michail Aronov, 34, a Lithuanian national, was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison for his role as a ringleader in an involuntary servitude and money laundering conspiracy. He was the last of nine convicted defendants to be sentenced for crimes associated with this conspiracy. He was convicted for conspiring to violate the civil rights of Eastern European women by forcing them to work as exotic dancers in Detroit-area strip clubs, as well as immigration and money laundering conspiracies. Aronov was also ordered to pay more than $1 million in restitution to the victims. The court had previously ordered Aronov’s henchman, Aleksandr Maksimenko, to reimburse the dancers a total of $1,570,450. The court also ordered that $537,043 in cash seized from Maksimenko’s home and safety deposit boxes, as well as about $30,000 worth of jewelry, be used to satisfy a portion of the restitution award. Maksimenko received a 14-year prison sentence. His father, Venyamin Gonikman, remains a fugitive. Three other individuals were also previously sentenced as a part of this conspiracy.
Everett, WA, United States
The man's arrest was part of an ongoing effort of Everett police to combat prostitution. One officer was quoted, "We're attacking it from all angles - from the johns to the prostitutes to the pimps." Undercover officers had set up several sting operations to arrest people selling and buying sex. They've also used Craigslist to nab customers and prostitutes. The man arrested came to the detectives attention in March after a woman reported seeing her daughter's picture in Craigslist and an advertisement that indicated that she was selling sex. The mother said her daughter was being "pimped out and tht the man assaulted her daughter and refused to let her visit with her family according to the search warrant. In July the police heard from another concerned mother who told them that her daughter was being held against her will in a south Everett apartment. Detectives found the woman, who told them the Everett man bought her for $250 and she worked for him as a prostitute at a Lynwood motel. She told them she gave the man all the money she made. Both women told police they were afraid of the man, who carried a pistol and beat and assaulted them. Everett police last month searched two apartments and seized computers, drug paraphenalia and about $2,000 in cash. They continue to investigate.
Everett, WA - Casino Road, United States
Seven women were arrested for prostitution in an undercover operation in Snohomish County. None of the pimps were arrested. Police noted that three of the girls arrested were from out of state and the others live in Seattle and Tacoma. Although no mention was made of any male arrests, the article said that earlier that month police had arrested several men in a "john" sting, targeting customers. In both cases no traffickers were found/arrested.
Glen Garden Drive apartment complex in Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Using drugs and fake friendships, seven Varrio Central gang members, ages 15-19, lured runaways and other underage girls with troubled families into a prostitution ring, which operated out of a Glen Garden Drive apartment complex. The victims, some as young as 12 years old, were forced to perform sexual services for $50. If a girl declined, she was beat, raped, and her family threatened. A fifteen year-old girl also allegedly recruited the victims by going to their homes, posing as their friend, and pretending to pick them up to go to the movies or shopping.
Miami, FL, United States
In 2007, a security guard at a Miami middle school, was indicted. The security guard met his 14-year-old victim through one of the students at the school. He began a sexual relationship and eventually forced the victim to sell her body. The victim remained under the security guard’s control until the day prior to his arrest, when the victim's mother located her and the victim returned home.
East Orange, New Jersey (and Newark), United States
Lassissi Afolabi, 45, Akouavi Kpade 40, and Dereck Hounakey, 31, are Tongolese Nationals who are being charged with trafficking approximately girls and women from Togo to work in their hair salon in New Jersey. The girls posed as relatives of visa lottery winners in Togo. The traffickers made their victims work six to seven day a week, up to 14 hours a day, braiding hair. The girls were beaten repeatedly and if they complained, the traffickers threatened to send them back to Togo. The traffickers lured the young women with the promise of well paying jobs in America.
Peabody, MA, United States
Trevor Jones worked as a landscaper and telemarketer. He was recently prosecuted for his actions with two women whom he met at parties, gave drugs, and then forced them to pay back his "kindness" through prostitution. They had to make at least $150 per event, make at least $1000 per night, and give all the money to him.
Bliss Corner, Massachusetts, United States
Francesco Insolia, the plant manager, Dilia Costa, the payroll manager and Gloria Melo, the office manager of Michael Bianco, Inc. were arrested for forcing illegal immigrants, mostly from Guatemala and El Salvador, to work in harsh conditions for long periods of time without proper payment.
Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States
There was a 3:00 am raid of the Signal International Shipyard worker's trailers by the Signal Security Guards telling everyone they would be deported. A brave worker made a frantic phone call to the New Orleans Workers' Center for Racial Justice because of the incident. Some workers were held hostage in the TV room of the shipyard while all the workers struggled with the idea of suicide rather than returning in debt to their families and facing Indian Aid Debt.
Seattle, WA, United States
Sean Jarae Hart, also known as Hush, has been charged in an 11-count indictment with sex trafficking of a child for transporting a young girl across state lines for the purpose of prostitution. Between May 25 and June 5, 2006, Hart drove the young girl to various areas within Seattle and Everett for the purposes of prostitution. Also, from January-April 2006 Hart forced two women to travel between Washington and Nevada, to have them engage in prostitution and take their earnings. He was arrested in Oregan. Also charged in the indictment is Randy Wamon Ivey, who allegedly picked the girl up at Sea-Tac Airport on May 24 had her work for him as a prostitute. An unnamed co-conspirator arranged for the girl to fly from California to Seattle. Ivey is a fugitive.
Muttontown Knolls NY, United States
Dunkin' Donuts employees in Syosset notified the police of a middle aged women who was present and wearing only pants and a towel and had a beaten in face. Immigration officials searched the house and found another housekeeper hiding in a closet. The two slaves confessed to being tortured, beaten, and starved. They were also beaten with brooms and umbrellas, cut with knives and forced to climb stairs and to take freezing cold showers for misdeeds like oversleeping or stealing food from the trash since they were not fed well.
I-25 and Hampden Avenue, Denver, Colorado, United States
Police are aware of 8 massage parlors in and around the Denver Metro area. This particular store was closed and the couple are awaiting charges.
Minneapolis, MN, United States
From April to December 2007, Craig Kraft and Liqing Liu operated a prostitution business. The location changed constantly which included motels in Bloomington, Golden Valley, Plymouth, and Minneapolis. The office for the business was located in St. Louis Park. Women were rotated to work in the brothel, and Liu arranged for the victims to travel to MN from California, New York, and Texas.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
Not Sure.
Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Jesus Perez-Laguna was sentenced in Federal Court to 14 years and forced to pay the victim $52,000. Upon serving his sentence Perez-Laguna will be deported back to Mexico and not granted reentry into the United States. Ciro Bustos-Rosales was sentenced to 70 months in prison, ordered to pay restitution, and ordered to comply with similar terms and conditions of release as those included in Perez-Laguna’s sentence.
Central Islip, New York, United States
Enung and Samirah were the 2 domestic workers. On May 13, 2007, the police were called to a Dunkin’ Donuts in Syosset, N.Y., where one of the domestic workers had turned up. Her face was bruised and she wore only pants and a towel. When the Dunkin’ Donuts employees tried to talk to the 51-year-old woman, identified as Samirah — like many Indonesians, she uses only one name — she made gestures of hitting herself and uttered what sounded to them like the word “master.”
Boston, MA, United States
Shaun Leoney, 26, of Dorchester, Mass.; Darryl Tavares, 24, of Revere, Mass.; Eddie Jones, 25, of Roxbury, Mass.; Rueben Porcher, 29, of Dorchester; Aaron Brooks, 23, of Quincy, Mass.; and Trueheart Peeples, 30, of Portland, Maine have been charged with sex trafficking of children, transportation of minors for the purpose of prostitution, and conspiracy. According to the indictment, between approximately February of 2001 and December of 2005, Leoney, Tavares, Jones, Porcher, Brooks and Peeples conspired with each other to transport adults and minors between states for prostitution, assisting each other, and ultimately profiting from each other’s endeavors. The defendants operated in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maine, and Massachusetts. The Indictment also alleges that Leoney, Tavares, Jones, Porcher, and Peeples trafficked minors for the purpose of prostitution.
Immokalee, FL, United States
Cesar Navarrete and Geovanni Navarrete beat, threatened, and restrained Mexican and Guatemalan immigrants, forcing them to work as agricultural laborers. The farms were located in Flordia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The victims were underpaid, and continually mounted escalating debts, and were physically threatened if they tried to leave before their debt had been paid off. At the time of investigation, the family was holding 15 workers on the property. The Navarretes initially brought the workers to the U.S. to work picking the produce in their fields.
San Mateo, CA, United States
Xiao Feng Shen, 35, of San Jose, Jia Jing Chu, 34, of San Jose, Ai-Ching Chang, 45, of Sunnyvale, Yan Song, 42, of San Jose, and Ming Sun, 32, of San Jose plead guilty to maintaining several residential brothels harboring Asian women who were being sold for sex.
Daly City, CA, United States
John France Gonzales Age: 23 former pharmacy technician Gonzales met the girl in 2000, when she was 10 years old and living in San Bruno with her aunt, whom Gonzales was dating, according to former defense attorney Jeffery Neubarth. Gonzales molested the girl for the first time when she was 12 and maintained his relationship with the girl for several years while she lived in San Bruno and with her grandmother in Healdsburg. Gonzales allegedly took the girl from her grandmother's home in August 2005 and told her that she could not return, eventually moving her into a bedroom at his parents' Daly City home in October 2005, according to prosecutors. The girl remained with Gonzales until October 2006 when Gonzales' parents' home was foreclosed on, forcing Gonzales to move out and return the girl to her family. A few weeks after returning home, she told members of her family of her ordeal. The victim, who prosecutors say initially went willingly to Gonzales' home, reportedly told authorities she and Gonzales had sexual relations more than 500 times in five counties. Gonzales held the girl captive in the basement of his parents’ Daly City home for 18 months. John Paule France Gonzales smuggled food into his locked room and disposed of the girl's feces in plastic bags to keep her hidden from his parents, prosecutors said. "He used threats to himself, to her and to her family members to either play upon her sympathies or scare her into having sex with him for years," McKowan said. "Did he put her in chains and lock her in a bedroom and never let her out? No," Pitt said. But "because of his perverted sexual assaults on her over time, she was scared. He threatened at various times to kill her, he threatened to kill her family and he threatened to kill himself if she left him."
Tower Place, Pewaukee, WI‎, United States
Traffickers were married (one male and one female), who both were affluent medical doctors in Milwaukee, WI with a multimillion dollar home in Brookfield, WI. They recruited the victim from the Philippines to the U.S. when the victim was 19 years old. Both perpetrators used threats of serious harm and physical restraint against her to obtain her services.
Honolulu, HI, United States
Per the Department of Justice news release: "Assistant Attorney General Perez and U.S. Attorney Nakakuni commended the FBI and the Honolulu Police Department for their work in investigating this case and rescuing some of the defendant’s victims. FBI Special Agents M.K. Itnyre and Kristin Lee investigated this case, and Trial Attorneys Edward Caspar and Kayla Bakshi of the Civil Rights Division and its Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Ching prosecuted this case for the United States."
Junction City, Kansas, United States
Victim talked her way home and pressed charges. Law enforcement was little help.
Frosty Treats Ice Cream Trucks, 620 E. Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, United States
David L. Carslake 55, david H. Mackintosh 45, Jeffrey S. Guinn 45, of Kansas City and Evgney Sergeyevich Filimonov 20, Vadim Aleksandvovich-Tokarev 21 of Russia. Recruited 8 Russian students from Voronozh to work in US under student work program. Each student borrowed $2,500 from their parents to make the trip. The students thought they had signed up for a student work program where they could earn $10,000 over the summer, instead forced to work 13 hour days at 87 cents an hour. All 8 shared two, one-bedroom apartments with a television and a mattress. Traffickers cut the students off from telephone and internet. The students' activities were monitored by the traffickers using GPS systems. A maintenance worker at Northland apartments worked with managers of Frosty Treats ice cream truck company and two Russian nationals.
Charlotte, NC, United States
There were 31 arrests made, reported by the Associated Press on August 16, 2006, with no details regarding the traffickers, other than the fact that it was connected with a Korean couple in New York City. Some of the charges brought against the 31 suspects include "conspiracy to engage in human trafficking, prostitution, and conspiracy to transport illegal aliens."* *sourced: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,208838,00.html
Philadelphia PA, United States
A syndicate held girls as sex slaves by forcing them to work off tens of thousands of dollars of debt they had accrued for phony documents and transportation to the U.S., the feds said. Investigators said recruiters in Korea sought out women who wanted to make money to support their families. The recruiters took care of everything, supplying fake immigration documents, passports and visas, and transporting the women to the U.S. A network of transporters drove them to brothels along the East Coast. They were stripped of their identification and phony passports, thus cutting off any chance that they could flee the country. Besides, if they thought about running, the women were warned that they could be handed over to the police - or, worse yet, that their fhttp://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-16694466_ITMamilies in Korea could be killed.
Austin, Texas, United States
Juan Balderas-Orosco and Maria Camacho Teran are being charged for transportation for prostitution, importation of illegal aliens and conspiracy to smuggle, transport and harbor illegal aliens. The two were part of prostitution ring from November 2002 to June 2006. They sneaked hundreds of women mainly from Latin America in the U.S. to rotate them among brothels in Austin. Most of the women were illegal immigrants. Survivors claim that all of their earnings were kept.
Montana, United States
Leo Salazar Express Forestry, Inc., Rick Thomas and Sandy Thomas Guest Worker H-2B Visa A delegation of seven individuals, including an Express Forestry manager, confronted the wife and sister of Hugo Martin Recinos, lead plaintiff in the case, seeking contact information for him. They attempted to bribe his wife, Maria, by offering more than $6,600 in return for his withdrawal from the case.
Reno, NV, United States
Juan Rico Doss received the mandatory sentence of life in prison. On June 26, 2006, a federal jury determined that Doss was guilty of two counts of sex trafficking of children, three counts of transporting minors into prostitution, one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children and transporting minors into prostitution, and two counts of witness tampering. In April 2006, Doss' first trail was declared a mistrial after the younger victim refused to testify against Doss. It was determined that the witness had been influenced by Doss, which led to additional charges of witness tampering against Doss. Doss is one of the first in the nation to receive the mandatory life sentence pursuant to Section 3559(e), which calls for mandatory life imprisonment for repeated sex offenses against children. On Nov. 1, 2006, Judge Larson found that Doss’s previous conviction in the State of Nevada on charges of pandering of minors for the purpose of prostitution qualified as a prior sex offense under this statute. Doss' wife, Jacquay Quinn Ford, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for her role in the crimes. She cooperated with the government and testified against her husband.
Pasadena ISD High School, United States
FBI, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, Pasadena Independent School District Police Department, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Project Safe Childhood (projectsafechildhood.gov). FBI took trafficker into custody after a 3-year investigation after a high school studen in Pasadena got off the bus and disappeared in September 2006.
Houston, Texas, United States
"Barry Lernard Davis, aka Sir Lewis, has been...[charged]with sex trafficking of a minor, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and coercion and enticement of yet another female to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution, United States Attorney Tim Johnson and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced"
oakland, United States
Children's Hospital of Oakland, CA where victim was receiving medical treatment, referred victim to MISSSEY. While in MISSSEY's program, victim was referred to and received mental health counseling, after school programs.
Worthington, Ohio, United States
The Columbus Police and Franklin County sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant inside the massage parlor. According to Franklin Co. Chief Deputy, the business was a front for organized prostitution. They found bags of condoms and $15,000 in cash, wrapped in aluminum foil.
Madisonville, TX, United States
June was arrested in August of 2006 in Madisonville, TX, held in Houston on $150,000 bond. 40 count indictment handed over, pled guilty to two felony counts, $10 million in assets seized, sentenced by U.S. District Judge James V. Selna to 18 months in federal prison.
San Jose, CA, United States
Local law enforcement in San Mateo, FBI, ICE, and the IRS were all involved in this case. The investigation began when someone tried to bribe a San Mateo police officer in connection with a pimping charge. The investigation found that 24-99 women were brought to the United States, where they were employed as prostitutes. The women were rotated on a circuit from San Mateo, San Jose, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale.
Colma, California, United States
The Pacifica Police Department reported that Kwor "Tommy" Chou, 29, of Colorado and Ri Luo, 41, of Oakland were arrested on suspicion of felony pimping, pandering and criminal conspiracy. According to the San Mateo district attorney's office, Luo ran an escort service that was actually a front for prostitution services involving women imported from Korea, China and other countries. Also arrested after an eight- month investigation by federal and state officials were Wai Chong Kong, 38, and his wife, Kit Chi Ho, 43, of Highlands Ranch, both identified as citizens of China. They are each charged with transporting people to engage in illegal sexual activity. The couple allegedly advertised the women's services online. The ads included pictures of nude or scantily clad women and listed prices of $140 for 30 minutes and $180 for one hour.
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colorado, United States
Three people were involved with alleged international human trafficking. Traffickers were accused of charging Korean women thousands of dollars to enter the US. Hundreds of women were coerced into becoming prostitutes to pay off their debts. Sometimes they would be giving as much as $18,000 to the traffickers.
waikiki, United States
Rodney D. King, 43, was charged with five counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government. Sharon-Mae Nishimura, 30, is accused of assisting King and was indicted on similar charges. King, also known as "Shadow" and "Special K," is scheduled to be arraigned in U.S. District Court here on June 29. A warrant has been issued for Nishimura's arrest.
Alameda County CA, United States
When the victim's grandmother asked for her to be removed because she had run away from home so many times, she was placed in a group home. She continued her pattern of running away. After arrests from prostitution, drugs, and going AWOL from a group home, she was placed in Juvenile Hall. When going AWOl again, she was sent to MISSSEY in Oakland. She was subsequently arrested for being an accomplice to a murder, tried and found guilty. Presejtly she is serving time in prison. She did not identify her pimp's name, and he was not apprehended or tried for any involvement in the murder.
warren, ohio, United States
Greg Lowery, 45, of Warren, Ohio, was charged with conspiracy to transport a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in prostitution or other unlawful sexual activity. Lowery's ex-girlfriend and co-defendant Pamela Tilley, 46, also of Warren, is charged with the same offense. Tilley is the mother of one of the children, the 13 year old. Tilley and Lowrey were using crack, drinking alcohol, and travelling across state lines into Pennsylvania to sell Tilley's daughter and a 15 year old runaway.
East Boston, MA, United States
Victor Diaz – resident of East Boston, (24) and his niece, Evelyn Diaz- resident of Chelsea(21), were charged with conspiring to sex traffic a minor between April 2004 and April 2005. At trial, the government proved that between approximately July 2003 and May 2005, Evelyn Diaz operated an escort service that was advertised in multiple publications and on the Internet. The escort service sent individuals, including minors, on prostitution calls in and around Boston. Victor Diaz assisted in the operation by driving adults and a minor to whom he and Evelyn Diaz are related to prostitution calls. Evelyn Diaz pleaded guilty in January 2007 to two counts of transporting a minor to engage in prostitution and three counts of sex trafficking of children, in addition to the conspiracy charge. On April 27, 2007, she was sentenced to serve nine years in federal http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2008/May/08-crm-474.html http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/ceos/Press%20Releases/DMA%20Diaz%20PR_071106.pdf
Lexington,KY, United States
Both the adult male and underage minor are facing charges. Details on the legal proceedings are still being researched.
Hartford Conn, United States
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hartford and Windsor Police Departments, and the Internal Revenue Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Genco and Andrew J. Kline of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division. Shanaya Hicks and nine co-defendants were charged in a 64-count superceding indictment on August 8, 2006. Hicks pleaded guilty on March 14, 2007, to the following charges: two counts of sex trafficking of minors, two counts of sex trafficking of adult women (through force, fraud or coercion), and conspiracy. Eight other charged individuals, including co-defendant Brian Forbes, also pleaded guilty in the case. In June 2007, co-defendant Dennis Paris was convicted at trial for multiple charges including sex trafficking of minors, sex trafficking of adults (through force, fraud, and coercion), conspiracy, use of an interstate facility to promote prostitution, and money laundering. Co-defendant Forbes is scheduled to be sentenced on April 7, 2008, and co-defendant Paris is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14, 2008.
Paducah, KY, United States
On July 20,2006 a jury found that the defendants willfully violated the Fair Labor Standards Act....BUT did not find that the defendants held the victim in forced labor, trafficked her into forced labor, or inflicted emotional distress upon her. The victim was award money on the violation of the fair labor standards act and received a portion of money for her attorney fees.
Brooklyn, New York, United States
The case was investigated by ICE Special Agents from the New York Office of Investigations, with assistance provided by ICE Special Agents from the New Jersey and Mexico City offices, the New York City Police Department, the U.S. Department of State, officials at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, and officials of the Mexican Prosecutor General of the Republic.
Fort Thomas, KY, United States
Paula Steltenkamp and Greg Coburn brought over a girl from the Philippines and forced her to work for them. The victim states they didn't abide by the contract she signed, which stated she would work for 40 hours a week for $200. The Victim states she wasn't paid the agreed amount, she was physically assaulted, denied access to a phone, isolated, and threatened with deportation.
Douglas County, Colorado, United States
Timothy Houser, 53, was arrested in October 2006 after a tip from the Denver Police Department that Houser had contacted a 16-year-old female who posted an ad in the erotic services section of Craigslist. Detectives said Houser gave the teen directions to his house in Parker, where there was a sexual encounter that he paid for.
Renton, North Seattle, and Tukwila, WA, United States
Doanld Kerry Frey, 36, of South Lake Tahoe, Ca., and Nguyen Tran Nguyen, 26, were arrested on charges of conspiracy to transport prostitutes across state lines and money laundering after a two year investigation into several King County tanning salons. Prosecutors allege Frey, through a holding company called Crown Venture Capital, owned the now-closed Aloha Tanning Resort in Renton, the Avalon Spa on Aurora Avenue North in North Seattle, and the Mailbu Tanning Spa in Tukwila. They alleged the salons operated as brothels for itinerant prostitutes traveling a circuit between the West Coast and Texas. Nguyen Tran Nguyen, according to the indictment, had booked more than 70 airline tickets to bring prostitutes into Seattle since early 2007. Once here, they work at the spas for several weeks and then move on. The women, mostly Asians, would advertise on a variety of Web sites. Over the past two years, several undercover officers and informants have visited the spas and have been offered sex for money, acording to the indictment. The warrant says Fret and a business partner had been under investigation for prostitution in Southern California as well.
Jefferson, Virginia, United States
Soripada Lubis, 54, a naturalized American citizen originally from Indonesia, pleaded guilty to harboring illegal aliens for commercial advantage and private financial gain. Lubis admitted that he harbored between six and 24 aliens and that he was a leader and organizer of his enterprise. Lubis’ wife, Siti Chadidjah Siregar, a citizen of Indonesia, pleaded guilty to aiding her husband to keeping at least 15 women in there basement on weekends. Lubis and Siregar have kept up to 11 undocumented Indonesian women in their crowded basement to live with and work as housekeepers for wealthy families in Potomac, Md. Some of the women slept three to a bed. Lubis imposed various rules on the Indonesian women that restrained their freedom of movement and him and his wife confiscated the womens’ passports and threatened to kill their families and alert immigration officials if they left. Lubis and Siregar charged the women $375 per month for "rent" and transportation, plus fees for "taxes" and to send money to Indonesia. During the last five years, Lubis and Siregar made more than $90,000 from their enterprise. Lubis, or an unnamed relative, would drive the women to households in places like Potomac, where they worked and lived during the week, the statement said. Investigators say some of the women had come to the United States legally, but fell into Lubis’ clutches after they overstayed their visas, or were persuaded by his offers of financial rewards to leave their original employers and violate their visas. Lubis recruited them after meeting them at parks or malls.
Pensacola, FL, United States
A typical 16-year-old in a middle-class home in suburban Pensacola, Fla., Shauna Newell’s nightmare began innocently enough: A new friend she had met in high school asked her to come to her home for a sleepover. Newell’s mother, Lisa Brant, didn’t like the idea, but after weeks of lobbying by her daughter, Brant met with the girl and the man she said was her father to make sure her daughter would be safe. But the girl’s “father” was really a convicted felon, and the girl, who had a record of prostitution in Texas, was an accomplice in the abduction. “Her dad took us to this house and said he'd be right back and he left us there,” Newell recounted in a taped interview. “And I asked for some water because I was thirsty. And I drank the water and I blacked out.” The water had been laced with a drug. When she woke up, Newell was groggy and couldn’t move. “My legs were being held down, and the guy that was raping me was holding my hands back,” she said in a quiet voice. “I kept screaming, ‘Stop, please don't do this. Leave me alone.’ But I was so weak, I couldn't fight them off. Like I was, I was so really out of it. And I blacked out a few times and I kept coming back to. And I was still being raped every time I woke up.” Left alone for a moment, Newell managed to call her mother. “My cell phone rang. And all I heard was, ‘Mommy, help me,’ ” Brant said. “And the phone went dead. And I freaked!”
Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Corey Davis was the ring-leader of a sex-trafficking ring that spanned at least three states, and exploited as many as 20 women, including minors one of which was only 12 years old. Davis lured victims to his operation with promises of modeling contracts and a glamorous lifestyle. Davis then forced them into a grueling schedule of dancing and performing at strip clubs in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. When the clubs closed, Davis forced the victims to walk the streets until 4:00 or 5:00 A.M. propositioning customers. The indictment also alleged that Davis beat many of the victims to force them to work for him and that he also used physical abuse as punishment for disobeying the stringent rules he imposed to isolate and control them. The victims earned up to $5,000 a night in these activities, which Davis confiscated and kept for himself. more info at: http://newhaven.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2007/nh031607a.htm
Winchester, MA, United States
Hana Al. Jader, a 40 year old Saudi Princess, was caught withholding pay from two Indonesian women who worked for her as in-house servants. It is probable that these women worked for royal family in Saudi Arabia before they were brought Winchester in 2003. In 2003, she tried to extend their visas by sending in false employment documentation to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. The women had being cooking and cleaning for the royals as well as caring for the severely disabled prince and serving at their frequent parties.
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Immigration & Customs Enforcement At his plea hearing, Reyes-Santillan admitted to operating a brothel and knowingly employing a juvenile to engage in prostitution. Diego Cortes-Barrientos and Rafael Cortes-Barrientos admitted to working at brothels in Memphis and taking money from clients who engaged in commercial sex acts with alien prostitutes. Both defendants further admitted that neither they nor any of the other operators of the brothels had filed a factual statement with ICE setting forth the names of the aliens, the place at which they were kept, the date of their entry into the United States, their ports of entry, or their ages, nationality, or parentage.
Miami, Florida, United States
Minor victim (16 years old at time of arrest) was arrested in Miami, FL by local police. Victim is a native of Union City, GA who was trafficked by her pimp across state lines.
Miami, FL, United States
On June 14, 2006, Kareem Jackson and Eriverto Cotto was arrested for holding a 17-year-old female against her will at his residence. Acting as the girl's pimp, Jackson arranged for her to perform sex acts to repay an alleged debt to Jackson. Jackson sent the juvenile to a Miami hotel room in response to a call for one or more prostitutes. Unbeknownst to Jackson, undercover City of Miami Police Department detectives had made the call. Shortly after the minor arrived at the designated room, the detectives detained her. The girl explained to the detectives that she was 17 and had been held captive.
Miami Beach, FL, United States
An investigation revealed that a girl had been transported by "D-LO" from Detroit to South Florida for the purpose of prostitution. At trial, the victim testified that she was physically assaulted by the defendant and was forced to work as a prostitute at various locations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. After a physical altercation with "D-LO," in which he placed a revolver in the mouth of the minor victim, "D-LO" passed off the girl to another pimp named "Snake," who admitted at his plea hearing that he coerced the victim into performing commercial sex acts by "slapping her around.
Mission Canyon, California, United States
Law enforcement has placed the runaway girl back with her family. Santa Barbara police detective Chad Hunt obtained an arrest warrant for Rivers, and US Marshalls tracked Rivers down in Las Vegas. Rivers and Johnson were arrested. Rivers was charged with enticing a minor to commit lewd acts, pandering, and human trafficking. Johnson has been charged for pimping and pandering a minor, evading arrest amounting to a felony, and being an unlicensed driver.
Silver Lake, California, United States
FBI and Human Trafficking Task Force in Los Angeles accused the defendants of crimes. U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement/ U.S. Department of Labor were also involved. Nine defendants have been arrested thus far. One a fugitive until recently arrested on September 15th, 2008. Intervention and investigations began into the ring after one of the trafficking drivers contacted authorities in October 2006.
Los Angeles, California, United States
FBI and Human Trafficking Task Force in Los Angeles accused the defendants of crimes. U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement/ U.S. Department of Labor were also involved. Nine defendants have been arrested thus far. One a fugitive until recently arrested on September 15th, 2008. Intervention and investigations began into the ring after one of the trafficking drivers contacted authorities in October 2006.
Los Angeles, California, United States
FBI and Human Trafficking Task Force in Los Angeles accused the defendants of crimes. U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement/ U.S. Department of Labor were also involved. Nine defendants have been arrested thus far. One a fugitive until recently arrested on September 15th, 2008. Intervention and investigations began into the ring after one of the trafficking drivers contacted authorities in October 2006.
Hampton Inn: 14400 Nicollet Court, Burnsville, MN, United States
In December of 2006, Eagan Detective Kurt Bratulich, who worked as a Police Liaison at one of the victim's schools, learned about the case after a victim confided in him. The victim came forward about the prostitution ring operating out of a townhouse at the time. From the tip, investigators were able to execute a warrant of the townhouse. Unfortunately Reisdorf had already packed up and police were unable to find any useful information. After more interviews from victims, Detective Bratulich was able to build a strong case and by March of 2007, the FBI got involved. Because the internet and the soliciting of juveniles were involved, the investigation turned into a federal case. Reisdorf continued to post services on Craigslist. After more interviews from victims and tracing Reisdorf's ads to her computer, by June of 2007, investigators learned she was securing rooms for service at a Burnsville motel where she worked. Reisdorf was eventually arrested in June of 2007 at her Eagan home when a search warrant was executed.
Silver Lake, California, United States
FBI and Human Trafficking Task Force in Los Angeles accused the defendants of crimes. U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement/ U.S. Department of Labor were also involved. Nine defendants have been arrested thus far. One a fugitive until recently arrested on September 15th, 2008. Intervention and investigations began into the ring after one of the trafficking drivers contacted authorities in October 2006.
Echo Park, California, United States
FBI and Human Trafficking Task Force in Los Angeles accused the defendants of crimes. U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement/ U.S. Department of Labor were also involved. Nine defendants have been arrested thus far. One a fugitive until recently arrested on September 15th, 2008. Intervention and investigations began into the ring after one of the trafficking drivers contacted authorities in October 2006.
Silver Lake, California, United States
FBI and Human Trafficking Task Force in Los Angeles accused the defendants of crimes. U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement/ U.S. Department of Labor were also involved. Nine defendants have been arrested thus far. One a fugitive until recently arrested on September 15th, 2008. Intervention and investigations began into the ring after one of the trafficking drivers contacted authorities in October 2006.
Silver Lake, California, United States
FBI and Human Trafficking Task Force in Los Angeles accused the defendants of crimes. U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement/ U.S. Department of Labor were also involved. Nine defendants have been arrested thus far. One a fugitive until recently arrested on September 15th, 2008. Intervention and investigations began into the ring after one of the trafficking drivers contacted authorities in October 2006.
"OK Spa," 2428 Wisconsin Ave., Washington, DC, United States
Intercepted phone calls and the discovery of police bribes led to the demise of this trafficking ring. A wiretap of a cell phone used by Tae Hoon Kim, a Flushing-based middleman and transported, led to the discovery of the Korean owned brothels. Approximately 67 Korean women were taken into custody to be questioned on whether or not they knew they were being forced into prostitution.
Los Angeles, California, United States
FBI and Human Trafficking Task Force in Los Angeles accused the defendants of crimes. U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement/ U.S. Department of Labor were also involved. Nine defendants have been arrested thus far. One a fugitive until recently arrested on September 15th, 2008. Intervention and investigations began into the ring after one of the trafficking drivers contacted authorities in October 2006.
"Hong Kong," 133-15 35th Avenue, Flushing, New York, United States
Intercepted phone calls and the discovery of police bribes led to the demise of this trafficking ring. A wiretap of a cell phone used by Tae Hoon Kim, a Flushing-based middleman and transported, led to the discovery of the Korean owned brothels. Approximately 67 Korean women were taken into custody to be questioned on whether or not they knew they were being forced into prostitution.
"Magic," 106 Reidville Dr., Waterbury, Connecticut, United States
Intercepted phone calls and the discovery of police bribes led to the demise of this trafficking ring. A wiretap of a cell phone used by Tae Hoon Kim, a Flushing-based middleman and transported, led to the discovery of the Korean owned brothels. Approximately 67 Korean women were taken into custody to be questioned on whether or not they knew they were being forced into prostitution.
"14K Spa," 14413 K St., Washington, DC, United States
Intercepted phone calls and the discovery of police bribes led to the demise of this trafficking ring. A wiretap of a cell phone used by Tae Hoon Kim, a Flushing-based middleman and transported, led to the discovery of the Korean owned brothels. Approximately 67 Korean women were taken into custody to be questioned on whether or not they knew they were being forced into prostitution.
"Seng Hee's, a/k/a "Cleveland Park Holistic Health," 3520 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
Intercepted phone calls and the discovery of police bribes led to the demise of this trafficking ring. A wiretap of a cell phone used by Tae Hoon Kim, a Flushing-based middleman and transported, led to the discovery of the Korean owned brothels. Approximately 67 Korean women were taken into custody to be questioned on whether or not they knew they were being forced into prostitution.
The prostitution ring operated among eight brothels across the state of Minnesota. Five brothels were located in Minneapolis, one in West St. Paul, one in Richfield, and one in Austin., United States
Marisol Ramirez, a 37 year-old woman from the Dominican Republic, headed the prostitution ring with Roberto Rivera-Miranda, 31 who assisted her. Ramirez, who was deported from the U.S. in 1997 for operating prostitution services, recruited women chiefly from Mexico and Central America. Twenty-three other defendants have been accused of promoting the ring through the distribution of business cards advertising the services in Spanish, operating or working in brothels, transporting the victims, or supplying drugs or condoms. Eighty percent of the perpetrators were living in the U.S. illegally. The defendants allegedly lured both illegal immigrants as well as legal residents into the operation where they were forced to perform sexual services for the financial advantage of the defendants. All forms of the victims' documentation were taken. Heinous and crude conditions included two victims having to service 80 men in a single night. The prostitution ring was linked to activity in 30 other states.
Norwalk, Connecticut, United States
An international prostitution ring operated 19 brothels in the Northeast, from Rhode Island to Washington DC. The brothels were run out of “businesses” including massage parlors, health spas, and acupuncture clinics. Some of the known locations include: Crystal Spa on West Ave. in Norwalk, Connecticut and Cleveland Park Holistic Health on Connecticut Ave. in Washington DC. Several brothels were also found on West 26th St. and 59th St. in Manhattan. The brothels’ clients were generally Asian customers, who had learned of the establishment by word of mouth. The victims were recruited in Korea to come to the US, and travel with false documents or were smuggled across the Mexican or Canadian border. The victims’ identification and travel documents were taken, and she was threatened to be beaten or have her family in Korea harmed is she tried to leave. They were told they had to pay of tens of thousands of dollars in traveling debt from their trip.
Nashville, Tennesse, United States
Juan Mendez and Cristina Andres Perfecto traveled to a rural area in Mexico to recruit underage girls to come to the United States under false promises of working in restaurants. Perfecto convinced a 13 and 17 year old girl to return to the United States with her. She charged them 3,000 dollars for recruitment fees. Once they arrived in Tennessee the girls were beaten and raped by Mandez and forced to work in brothels throughout the state and required to have sex with as many as 40 men a day.
Apple Spa, Bellevue, WA, United States
The 21-month investigation used confidential informants, court approved wiretaps, and GPS tracking to identify those involved with the sex trafficking ring. Information about the criminal activity first surfaced in April 2004 when the Eastside Narcotics Task Force raided the Apple Spa in Bellevue after determining it was a front for prostitution. Both KANG, JIANG, and ZHU had been involved in the operation of the Apple Spa. ZHU was deported to China as an illegal alien, but quickly returned illegally to the United States. KANG and JIANG failed to show up for deportation hearings. In December 2004, FBI agents in Portland learned KANG had resurfaced there and was operating a brothel. In the midst of the investigation in May 2005, KANG returned to Seattle and opened a brothel. In various conversations with confidential sources or on wiretapped telephone calls, conspirators discussed how the Asian women had been smuggled into the United States. KANG told one confidential informant that women were being smuggled into the U.S. in shipping containers, paying fees to smugglers of as much as $50,000. The investigation determined that some of the women were smuggled into the U.S. by illegally crossing the border from Canada. The women had to pay off their debts to the smugglers by working in brothels in cities across the country. One of the conspirators was recorded in a phone conversation saying she had lost a lot of money when smuggled women fled without working off their debt. Law enforcement was able to track tens of thousands of dollars going from the U.S. to possible smuggling “agents” in China who arrange for the women to be smuggled into the country. The investigation determined women working in the brothels were citizens of China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and Laos. The investigation is continuing into the brothel network in other U.S. cities.
Boulevard Park, Washington, United States
The 21-month investigation used confidential informants, court approved wiretaps, and GPS tracking to identify those involved with the sex trafficking ring. Information about the criminal activity first surfaced in April 2004 when the Eastside Narcotics Task Force raided the Apple Spa in Bellevue after determining it was a front for prostitution. Both KANG, JIANG, and ZHU had been involved in the operation of the Apple Spa. ZHU was deported to China as an illegal alien, but quickly returned illegally to the United States. KANG and JIANG failed to show up for deportation hearings. In December 2004, FBI agents in Portland learned KANG had resurfaced there and was operating a brothel. In the midst of the investigation in May 2005, KANG returned to Seattle and opened a brothel. In various conversations with confidential sources or on wiretapped telephone calls, conspirators discussed how the Asian women had been smuggled into the United States. KANG told one confidential informant that women were being smuggled into the U.S. in shipping containers, paying fees to smugglers of as much as $50,000. The investigation determined that some of the women were smuggled into the U.S. by illegally crossing the border from Canada. The women had to pay off their debts to the smugglers by working in brothels in cities across the country. One of the conspirators was recorded in a phone conversation saying she had lost a lot of money when smuggled women fled without working off their debt. Law enforcement was able to track tens of thousands of dollars going from the U.S. to possible smuggling “agents” in China who arrange for the women to be smuggled into the country. The investigation determined women working in the brothels were citizens of China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and Laos. The investigation is continuing into the brothel network in other U.S. cities.
Seattle, Washington, United States
McGlover was charged at a U.S. District Court in Seattle with two counts of sex trafficking of a child. He was being held at a L.A. jail. McGlover is suspected of being involved in various cases of sex trafficking of minors, and investigations are ongoing. The police found another victim of McGlover, who was kidnapped by him in August, 2006. The victim was taken to a motel in Tacoma, Washington, where she was threatened if she did not work as a prostitute and was forced to give McGlover all of her earnings. She was forced to work seven days a week, earning about $1,000 a day.
Orlando, FL, United States
Yelena Aleksandrovna Telichenko met the victim, a Russian woman, in Philadelphia, where Telichenko convinced the victim to move to Orlando, FL. After arriving, the victim was forced to serve as a mistress to several men. If she objected, Telichenko would beat her. The victim was also forced to work cooking and cleaning the apartment. Telichenko is also known as Ella Schenkerberg, a court interpreter from Ukraine.
North Fort Myers, FL, United States
Fernando Pascual smuggled the 13-year old victim into the U.S. from Guatemala in 2004. She was forced to work as a domestic servant in his home, and was also kept as a sex slave by Pascual and his brother, Mario Pascual. The victim was sold to Fernando Pascual by her mother and stepfather. He fathered the victim's 2-year-old son.
Hyde Park, MA, United States
Six men were accused in a federal indictment unsealed Thursday of forcing teenage girls as young as 15 to work as prostitutes, taking them to several states and Bermuda. The charges against Darryl Tavares, 24, of Revere, and two Boston men, Shaun Leoney, 26, and Ruben Porcher, 29, include sex trafficking of children and conspiracy to transport minors across state lines for prostitution. Trueheart Peeples, 30, of Portland, Maine; Eddie Jones, 25, of Boston; and Aaron Brooks, 23, of Quincy are charged with conspiracy to transport minors across state lines for prostitution and other crimes. Prosecutors say the Boston-based group operated from 2001 to 2005 in Massachusetts, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Florida and Pennsylvania. One of the girls was 15 when Porcher took her to Bermuda for prostitution, according to the indictment. The indictment alleges some members of the group had ties to a network of sex traffickers and met with them in New York City in May 2005 for a "toss-up" event, where pimps trade prostitutes. Leoney and Brooks are accused of driving a teenager to Orlando, Fla., on Memorial Day weekend of 2005 for prostitution activity sponsored by Hoodlum Entertainment, a company owned by two convicted sex traffickers. The indictment alleges that that girl, who was 17, also had worked for Jones and Tavares, and was assaulted at different times when she angered the two men. In April 2005, the indictment alleges, when Tavares believed she had given some of her prostitution earnings to Jones, Tavares and an associate assaulted her. Tavares allegedly instructed the associate to rape her with a hair brush. In early May, she began working for Jones, who kicked in her teeth for talking on her "work" cell phone with a man who was not a prostitution client, according to the indictment. After he disfigured her mouth, the indictment said, Jones "gave" her back to Tavares.
Jennings, Florida, United States
Victim’s cousin with the help of 2 detectives from the Florida human trafficking unit contacted Ponce-Moya and set up a place in Lee County for a financial quid pro quo to occur. FBI agents traced phone calls back to the trailer where victim was being held and monitored Ponce-Moya. After several phone calls Ponce-Moya agreed to meet the victims cousin to exchange the victim for 2,600 dollars in cash. FBI agents followed Ponce-Moya from his trailer and he was apprehended at a convenience store south of Jennings. He had the victim and 4 family members in his car.
Jamaica, New York, United States
With the arrest of two NYPD officers accused of accepting payoffs in cash, drinks, and prostitution services in exchange for raiding competing brothels, authorities are focusing on the extent of the brothel problem in Queens. Last week, the F.B.I., the police, the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, and Immigration and Customs agents announced the arrests of NYPD officers, Jerry Svoronos, and Dennis Kim who were assigned to the 109th Precinct, on charges of taking payoffs, both monetary and in trade, to allow the Asian brothel to flourish and protect the owners from competition. Officers Dennis Kim and Jerry Svoronos were arrested along with alleged brothel operators Gina Kim and Geeho Chae following a 10-month investigation. According to U.S. Assistant Attorney Steven H. Breslow, $800,000 in cash was found in the search of the homes and cars of Kim and Chae. On June 20, 2008, a judge delayed the sentencing of Kim after prosecutors dropped new allegations of police corruption in a Queens precinct. Ex-NYPD Officer Dennis Kim and his partner admitted accepting cash and sexual favors from a pimp in return for protecting a brothel in Flushing. Now, the churchgoing Kim could face significantly more jail time because of claims from an informant that he and other cops in the 109th Precinct planted drugs on suspects and stole cash during gambling raids.
Hawaii, United States
U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway on June 22 also ordered the South Korean businessman to pay $1.8 million in restitution to about 300 Vietnamese and Chinese nationals who were lured to the U.S. archipelago in the South Pacific to earn what they thought would be a steady stream of dollars. But instead of stitching clothing for U.S. manufacturers and retailers in humane conditions at the factory, the workers endured abuse, threats, lack of food and pay, confinement, sexual advances and unsanitary and stifling-hot dorms. The Vietnamese workers paid up to $8,000 per person to Vietnamese government labor export offices for the opportunity and documents to work at Lee's factory, which operated from 1998 to 2001. Yesterday, the Lynnwood resident said he is concerned about 90 workers who suffered abuse at the garment factory but who were later sent back to Vietnam. Many, he said, have lost their homes to loan sharks who lent them money at high interest rates to go abroad. The loan sharks, he added, also are harassing the repatriated workers for money owed. "I was thinking more about the victims in Vietnam," he said. "I knew (Lee) was going to jail. He deserved to go to jail. The length of time didn't concern me that much."
Newington, Virginia, United States
Agni Lisa Brown (a.k.a. “Agni Lisa Graham,” “Michelle,” and “Lisa”) and her daughter Maria Antoinetta Mourizaki (a.k.a. “Tonia”) ran a brothel located in Springfield, Virginia between the years of 1997 and 2005. The brothel was open 6 days a week, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The prostitutes were often illegal immigrants in the United States, some of whom had been trafficked into the country by human traffickers. Information on the traffickers is unknown since Brown and Mourizaki were uncooperative and did not divulge this information. The women were trafficked from multiple areas, including but not limited to Mexico and Thailand. Brown and Mourizaki hired women around the ages of 18-25, convinced them to engage in illegal prostitution, transported them over state boundaries, and housed many of them in the brothel. They had a diverse work force that included Asian, Hispanic, and American women. The exact number of women who worked in the brothel during its time of operation is unknown, but it is believed that a small number of women worked there for a long time. In the case of at least one of the trafficked victims, the woman paid a large sum to enter the United States; when she was sold to Brown, Brown assumed her debt, and so the women fell into a situation of debt bondage. Agni Lisa Brown split the money earned from the brothel into five bank accounts at Burke and Herbert Bank and 5 bank accounts at Suntrust Bank. She used that money to pay for the rent of the brothel from 2000-2005, to pay for the utilities and maintenance of the brothel from 2000-2005, and to pay for newspaper advertisements in both the “Adult Employment” and “Adult Services” sections of the Washington City Paper from January 2002-March 2005. Brown also laundered money from the brothel. During the time the brothel was open, she deposited $731,432 into bank accounts, purchased $633,504 in properties and cars, and kept $168,900 in her home.
Wichita KS Houston TX Nevada, United States
John "Big John" Butler 47, William "Pookie" Hornbeak 34, Jamine "Fresh" Lake 27, Kristen "Princess" Land 28, Andre "Dre" McDaniels, Ronnie "Pimpin" Presley 35. Presley is from Wichita KS. All have now been arrested. Presley evaded authorities several times, including after being "cornered" but was finally arrested in Aug. Presley would kidnap victims at gun point on the streets of Wichita KS and take them to Houston. He threatened their families and would beat them up regularly. The traffickers have been charged with "a hefty load of federal crimes, including sex trafficking of children, sex trafficking by force and the transportation and coercion of minors". http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/08/largest_prostitution_ring_hous.php
aurora, United States
Homaidan Al-Turki, 36, and his wife, Sarah Khonaizan, 35, are now in jail in Arapahoe County, facing both federal and state charges that they kept an Indonesian woman in her early 20s as a virtual slave for four years
Glendale, Arizona, United States
Gray was booked on suspicion of numerous sex-related charges, including sexual assault, kidnapping, 80 counts of receiving the earnings of a prostitute, 80 counts of pandering and 42 counts of operating a house of prostitution. Butler was booked on suspicion of child prostitution, kidnapping, 25 counts of receiving the earnings of a prostitute and 50 counts of pandering.
palm beach, florida, United States
Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein asked victim to become his sex slave. Victim was taken to several cities and countries and required to satisfy "every sexual whim" of both Epstein and his friends.
Grandview Heights, Ohio, United States
Tamera "Danny" Flory, 40, was indicted on one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and 142 counts of promoting prostitution. This is the largest indictment involving prostitution in Franklin County, covering a period of seven years and five business entities.
dublin-granville road, columbus, ohio, United States
Four women--Chae Sun Leonard, Kim Freeman, Sayjai Wilson and Han Son Yi--The sources say they placed ads in local papers. Customers paid $60 at the front door and once inside, they could shell out hundreds more for sex. They say rank-and-file workers, like Atchariya Poosara and Rayvadee Koumphkand, were flown in from locations around the country. Although sources say they came willingly, they were locked inside the businesses for weeks at a time, generating revenue and promoting illegal activity. Detectives are now working to find yet another woman believed to have played a critical role in financing the operation. They hope her arrest will shut this enterprise down for good. were arrested in the bust of two massage parlors--the Oasis Health Club is in another report, this report is on the bust of Jade Clinic. The women face charges of prostitution soliciting and promoting prostitution.
toledo, ohio, United States
A man accused of running a prostitution ring recruited girls younger than 18 - once paying $600 for a 17-year-old girl - and moved them from state to state for his business, a federal grand jury said in an indictment. Franklin Robinson, 36, of Toledo, Ohio, was arraigned Tuesday on a seven-count indictment after being arrested in Michigan, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Zubrod in Harrisburg. Polaris Project | P.O. Box 77892, Washington, DC 20013 | Tel: 202.745.1001 | www.PolarisProject.org | Info@PolarisProject.org © Copyright Polaris Project, 2007. All Rights Reserved. 57 He pleaded not guilty to charges that include three counts of transporting minors across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual activity. Authorities said Robinson, using such aliases as Michael Tucker, "Silk" and "Silky Red," has run prostitution rings in at least 10 states since 2001: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland and Tennessee, as well as Washington, D.C. Earlier this year, he allegedly brought two girls from Toledo to work as prostitutes in Harrisburg, the grand jury said. The indictment also claims he recruited prostitutes from Georgia, Ohio and New York and brought 12 prostitutes from Toledo to work in Harrisburg in March. Court records say Robinson wired more than $3,500 related to his prostitution activities from the Harrisburg area to Ohio and Indiana, or from Indiana to Ohio, in 2001. He is quoted in the indictment telling someone that he once beat a prostitute so badly his hands swelled up, and with threatening to cut the throat of a man he thought was causing trouble for one of his girls. Zubrod declined comment on the case. Robinson's lawyer, Heidi R. Freese, said she has spoken with Robinson - who is being held without bail at the Dauphin County Prison - since being appointed his lawyer earlier in the week. "All I can tell you at this point is it appears to be a complicated case," she said Friday.
Oakland, CA, United States
After several episodes of abuse, molestation and rape by relatives, this child was sent out to “get money” by her mother during frequent periods when there was no food or utilities in the house. “Boyfriend” kidnapped this child and transported her from Alameda County to Sacramento County where she engaged in prostitution. Subsequently commercially exploited by various unknown adult males.
parma, ohio, United States
Senior Pastor Richard G. Manning is the senior pastor of the Parma Baptist Church. He was arrested on a felonious rape charge. Police said he coerced a Thai immigrant into having sex by making her believe he could have her deported because she is not a U.S. citizen.
reynoldsburg, ohio, United States
Several traffickers (four adult males, one adult female, all U.S. citizens) participated in a prostitution ring of one victim (13 years old, female, U.S. citizen). The victim’s father sold the sexual services of the victim to his friends. The victim received money and candy in exchange for the rapes. The father raped the 13-year-old victim and another daughter who was 17 years old at the time. Authorities charged Joseph Saunders (DOB 03/28/1937) of Reynoldsburg, Ohio with three counts of compelling prostitution and three counts of unlawful sexual conduct. Saunders pled guilty to all charges. Licking County Common Pleas Judge John Spahr sentenced Saunders to 24 years imprisonment, payment of court costs and attorney fees, and registry as a sex offender. also in the case, his friends... Ohio v. Bly, Case # 2005 CR 00654 (2005). Authorities charged Garry Bly (DOB 10/13/1939) of Columbus, Ohio, with ten counts of compelling prostitution, ten counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and one count of illegal use of minor in nudity oriented material or performance. Bly pled guilty to all charges. Judge Jon Spahr sentenced Bly to 14 years imprisonment, payment of court costs and attorney fees, and registry as a sex offender. Ohio v. Coss, Case # 2005 CR 00662 (2005). Authorities charged Thomas Coss (DOB 08/27/1977) of Buckeye Lake, Ohio, to two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Coss pled guilty to both 39 counts. The court sentenced Coss to two years imprisonment, payment of court costs and attorney fees, restitution, and registry as a sex offender. Case # 2005 CR 00652 (2005). Authorities charged the victims’ father with three counts of rape (a first-degree felony) and three counts of gross sexual imposition (a third-degree felony). The father admitted to raping his two daughters and pled guilty to all counts. The court sentenced the trafficker to 18 years imprisonment, payment of court costs and attorney fees, registry as a sex offender, and five years of post-release probation. Ohio v. Smith (2006). Authorities charged Joseph Saunder’s girlfriend, Trudy Smith, 26, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, with two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. The court found Smith mentally ill in April, 2006 and ordered her to undergo six months of treatment at a medical facility.
toledo, ohio, United States
Willoughby, Shope and Huskey were among 31 people linked to four child prostitution rings in Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Eric Willoughby, 40, pleaded guilty in 2006 to conspiracy and interstate transportation of minors for prostitution. Co-defendants Brandy Shope and Jennifer Huskey pleaded guilty to the same charges and were both sentenced to 6 years and 6 months in prison. A fourth defendant, Richard Lamar Gordon, was sentenced to 5 years for transportation of a minor for prostitution. A grand jury in Detroit charged the defendants in December 2005 with forcing two Toledo girls, 14 and 15, into prostitution in May of that year. The girls were held for 10 days in Michigan, where they were taken to hotel rooms for prostitution. Willoughby assaulted the girls and forced them to engage in sex acts while Shope and Huskey collected money from patrons, Murphy said.
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Wan Yo Kang, 37, also known as "Hannah," was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday on 11 felony counts of traveling across state lines to promote or manage prostitution activity in February 2005, enticing women to travel interstate to engage in prostitution and harboring two immigrants here illegally at her business, 350 Ward Ave., suite 115.
Waikiki, United States
A 15-year-old girl was prostituted to eight different customers during a five-day kidnapping ordeal in which she was forced into prostitution in downtown streets, Honolulu police said. Jason Smith, 22, allegedly threatened to kill the girl and her family and told her who to solicit for sexual favors and how much to charge, police said in a court affidavit. http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Dec/10/ln/FP512100317.html
San Francisco, California, United States
This international sex trafficking syndicate lured a young college student, You Mi, from her home in South Korea February 2003. She was promised a well paying hostess position at a restaurant so that she could pay off her $40,000 shopping debt back home. Instead, the traffickers took her to an illicit massage parlor in LA, where she was manipulated and used to pay off her $20,000 trafficking debt. She left the Massage parlor in July 2003 $0 richer and headed on a bus for San Francisco. She found that since she was an illegal immigrant, the only available work for her that was lucrative enough to pay off her debt was sex work. She wondered into the Sun Spa, where she was immediately handed off to the "masseuse" with the most seniority. For the next four months she endured a life that she had never imagined back in Korea. The Tenderloin is where the bulk of San Francisco's 90 illicit massage parlors are concentrated, identifiable by double metal security doors, surveillance cameras and windows that are blocked out with aluminum foil, plastic garbage bags or paint. She'd spend her waking hours at Sun Spa, having sex with more than a dozen men a day, six days a week, and scurrying into secret hideaways during police raids. Her share of the rent on her apartment was $300 per week. You Mi would also have to pay $50 a day for food, a $40 weekly tip to the cook, plus a $70 weekly tip to the Sun Spa manager. She also had to pay for her wardrobe, $100 per bikini top or bottom. Her tips from customers were typically $100. See Operation Gilded Cage post for more details about trafficker.
Weehawken, New Jersey, United States
“The Ringleader” Luisa Medrano charged with one count of conspiracy to commit forced labor, eight counts of forced labor, one count of alien smuggling and eight counts of harboring illegal aliens. The "Recruiters" These defendants located pretty, young females from villages near Olanchito, Honduras, telling them they would be working in a restaurant in New Jersey. They allegedly handled them off to the smugglers. Those defendants are each charged in this Indictment as follows: • Lourdes Rosales Martinez, 33, of Tejeras, Honduras, in custody in Honduras, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit forced labor; two counts of alien smuggling. • Zenia Zunilda Martinez, 56, of Tejeras, Honduras, in custody in Honduras, charged with one count of conspiracy; four counts of alien smuggling. • Nancy Floridalma Rosales Martinez, 34, of Olanchito, Honduras, in custody in Honduras, charged with one count of conspiracy; four counts of forced labor; 10 counts of alien smuggling, and four counts of harboring illegal aliens. The Smugglers or "Coyotes" • Jose Arnaldo Isuala-Meza, 23, of Sonaguera, Honduras (among others not named in the Indictment). The alleged lead "coyote," he smuggled groups of Honduran girls to the U.S.-Mexico border. While traveling with the girls, Isuala-Meza allegedly raped some of them, and, in at least one instance, left a 14-year-old alone in the Mexican desert, when she scratched him and fought while she was being raped. Isuala-Meza is being sought in Honduras. He is charged with one count of conspiracy and seven counts of alien smuggling. • Elsa Consuelo Isuala-Meza, 44, of Houston, Texas (Jose Isuala's sister), met some of the girls in Houston and arranged for their transportation to the New York area. An arrest warrant is outstanding for Isuala-Meza; she is charged with one count of conspiracy; seven counts of alien smuggling and two counts of harboring illegal aliens. The "Enforcers" These defendants imposed the rules and work on the victims, collected smuggling fees and were responsible for much of the abuse as described in the Indictment. • Noris Elvira Rosales Martinez, 29, of Union City, arrested in February 2005 in Tennessee, remains in custody. She is charged in the Indictment with one count of conspiracy, 10 counts of forced labor, seven counts of alien smuggling and 10 counts of harboring illegal aliens. • Ana Luz Rosales Martinez, 37, of Union City, arrested in January 2005 in New Jersey, remains in custody. She is charged in the Indictment with one count of conspiracy, nine counts of forced labor and seven counts of harboring illegal aliens. • Jose Dimas Magana, 40, of Union City, arrested in February 2005 in Pennsylvania, remains in custody. He is charged in the Indictment with one count of conspiracy, 10 counts of forced labor, four counts of alien smuggling and 10 counts of harboring illegal aliens. • Rosalba Ortiz, 34, of Union City, arrested today. Ortiz is charged in the Indictment with one count of conspiracy, six counts of forced labor and four counts of harboring illegal aliens. Charges and Penalties Count One: Conspiracy to Commit Forced Labor Offenses, which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Counts Two through Eleven: Forced Labor, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Counts 12 through Twenty-One: Alien Smuggling, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Counts 22 through Thirty-One: Harboring Illegal Aliens, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
New York City, United States
Seven defendants pled guilty to forced labor and obstruction of justice charged. The Kang's received four counts of knowingly and intentionally holding their Jane Doe's as well as four counts of aggravated sexual abuse. A Federal Air Marshal and a Dept. of Homeland Security agent were charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice for attempting to force one of the victims to get on a flight to South Korea to keep her from testifying against the couple.
Fuji Restaurant, Oxford, Al., United States
The family that owns this restaurant also owns one in Jacksonville, AL. They own a house near the Oxford restaurant where they keep Mexicans in poor conditions in the basement, and do not allow them to become friendly with any Americans that work at the restaurant. Their wages are strictly controlled, and they work seven days a week. If any repairs are needed in the kitchen, they wait until an item breaks, then withhold earnings until it is repaired. There is no transportation to anywhere but work, and the conditions at the house are primitive at best. Personal items are discouraged by the lack of security, no doorknobs, appliances, beds, etc. The Asian workers, who have cars and freedom, live in the upstairs portion of the house
myrtle beach, south carolina, United States
The leaders of the prostitution ring, Martin Carbajal-Servin and Estella Aguilar-Ortiz, a husband and wife were living inside the United States illegally. They recruited a young woman from Mexico using the promise of a legitimate job in Myrtle Beach. They then forced her into prostitution and threatened to kill her if she did not comply.
Welcome, South Carolina, United States
Fricman Alexander Ramirez (24) Carlos Castillo Rodriguez (37) German Garcia (43) Maria Adelfa Letrado (57) (madam of the ring) Aztlan Jaimes Santana Rolando Hernandez *both Santana and Hernandez told the judge in their hearing that they did not understand that their actions were wrong. The judge said that he could possibly have understood this if they had only been in America for a couple of months. They had been here over 7 years.
Parkland, Washington, United States
JIAN ZHONG TANG, 37, used employment agencies in New York, Chicago, and California to find and employ workers for his restaurant, the New Great Wall in Tacoma, WA. The workers never filled out any paperwork related to their employment, never provided any proof of their status in the U.S. and were paid in cash. TANG admitted he knew some of the workers were not legally in the United States. TANG was sentenced to ten months in prison and three years of supervised release for Concealing and Harboring an Illegal Alien.
Fircrest, Washington, United States
ICE agents were led to her home by a package from China that was intercepted by Customs agents in San Francisco. Inside they found a phoney Chinese Passport had been hidden in a space hollowed out of a magazine. The package was destined for a woman at SHU’s University Place home. When agents arrived at the home they found a dozen people living there, many of whom worked at SHU’s Tacoma restaurant, the Rainbow Buffet. Eight of the individuals did not have legal status to remain in the United States. Interviews of these undocumented workers also disclosed that they either had not been paid for their work, or were being paid extremely low wages.
Union City, New Jersey, United States
In total, 10 people were charged with violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), for counts of conspiracy to commit forced labor, forced labor, alien smuggling, and harboring illegal aliens. The leader, Medrano, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit forced labor, eight counts of forced labor, one count of alien smuggling, and eight counts of harboring illegal aliens. The bars owned by Medrano where the victims worked are: El Paisano Bar and Nightclub at 509 22nd St. Union City, El Puerto del la Union I at 6710 Bergenline Ave. Guttenberg, and El Puerto de la Union II at 3806 Bergenline Ave. Union City. Lourdes Rosales Martinez, Zenia Zunilda Martinez, and Nancy Floridalma Rosales Martinez recruited the victims in Honduras, and were charged with counts of conspiracy, forced labor, alien smuggling, and harboring illegal aliens. Jose Arnaldo Isuala-Meza and Elsa Consuelo Isuala-Meza smuggled the victims to the US, and were charged with conspiracy, alien smuggling, and harboring illegal aliens. Noris Elvira Rosales Martinez, Ana Luz Rosales Martinez, Jose Dimas Magana, and Rosalba Ortiz were charged with conspiracy, forced labor, alien smuggling, and harboring illegal aliens.
Houston, Tx, United States
Maximino "Chimino" Mondragon and 8 other traffickers worked with Walter Alexander Corea and his son Kerin Silva to smuggle over 120 women, mostly from Central America, into the Houston area and force them to work in brothels. Lorenza Reyes-Nunez, aka "La Comadre," was involved in the trafficking and forced abortions upon women who became pregnant. The others involved include Maximino Mondragon's brother Oscar Mondragon, half brother Victor Omar Lopez and the wives or ex-wives of the Mondragon brothers, Olga Mondragon and Maria Fuentes. They are from El Salvador and Honduras.
Union City, NJ, United States
In total, 10 people were charged with violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), for counts of conspiracy to commit forced labor, forced labor, alien smuggling, and harboring illegal aliens. The leader, Medrano, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit forced labor, eight counts of forced labor, one count of alien smuggling, and eight counts of harboring illegal aliens. The bars owned by Medrano where the victims worked are: El Paisano Bar and Nightclub at 509 22nd St. Union City, El Puerto del la Union I at 6710 Bergenline Ave. Guttenberg, and El Puerto de la Union II at 3806 Bergenline Ave. Union City. Lourdes Rosales Martinez, Zenia Zunilda Martinez, and Nancy Floridalma Rosales Martinez recruited the victims in Honduras, and were charged with counts of conspiracy, forced labor, alien smuggling, and harboring illegal aliens. Jose Arnaldo Isuala-Meza and Elsa Consuelo Isuala-Meza smuggled the victims to the US, and were charged with conspiracy, alien smuggling, and harboring illegal aliens. Noris Elvira Rosales Martinez, Ana Luz Rosales Martinez, Jose Dimas Magana, and Rosalba Ortiz were charged with conspiracy, forced labor, alien smuggling, and harboring illegal aliens.
Dallas, Texas, United States
Sung Bum Chang, owner of the Dallas club “Club Wa,” help club workers in conditions of forced labor at the karaoke club located on Walnut Hill Lane (Dallas) from December 2004 to April 26, 2005. Chang used a network that recruited women from South Korea to come to the U.S. with the promise of good jobs. Chang paid the victims’ smuggling fees, and confiscated their passports, telling them they could not leave until they had returned the money they owed him. They victims were held in the top floor of Chang’s home, and kept under constant surveillance and guard. The women would also be fined if they violated Chang’s “rules.” The victims worked as hostess in Club Wa, sitting with and entertaining customers, and encouraging them to buy more alcohol. Chang kept records of their earnings, and adjusted their debt accordingly, also including the price of their rent and food.
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
While living in Juventino, Mexico, Olivia Zepeda recruited four workers to work for her three sons’ roofing business, Golden Roofing LLC. The workers signed four-year work contracts with the brothers. They took a bus to a border town in July 2006, and a smuggler took them across the border. In Austin, Texas, the victims met up with two of the brothers (Juan and Jenaro Gutierrez) who drove them to St. Louis. The smuggler was allegedly paid $4,000 per worker. After arriving in St. Louis, the victims were abused, threatened, and their activities were restricted. Their smuggling debt kept increasing every time they asked about it.
Palatka, FL, United States
Ron Evans recruited workers from homeless shelters in New Orleans, Tampa, and Miami, among other cities, promising them good jobs and housing. The victims then came to Evans’ labor camps in Palatka, FL and Newton Grove, NC. Evans then deducted money for rent, food, crack cocaine, and alcohol from the workers’ pay. In Palatka, the camp was surrounded by a chain link fence topped with barbed wire. Ron Evans worked for the grower Frank Johns, who in 2004 served as Chairman of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (a lobbying organization within the Florida agricultural industry).
Detroit, MI, United States
Nine people worked to traffic Eastern European women to work as exotic dancers in Detroit-area strip clubs. Michail Aronov is believed to be the leader of the operation. The group used the business Beauty Search, Inc. as a cover to recruit women. The victims were then smuggled into the U.S. and forced to work as dancers in the clubs. The business partners referred to their plan for intimidation as “The System.” This involved taking the victims’ passports, imposing debts and monetary penalties, enforcing strict rules, and physical and verbal violence and threats. They also threatened to expose the victims as illegal immigrants. An escaped victim’s car was firebombed and used as a threat to others as the consequences of escape.
Denver, Colorado, United States
Young Jo Kwon and his wife Jessie, owners of Osaka Sushi in Denver, Colorado were accused of forcing two South Korean immigrants to work without pay. They have also been linked to the Korean mafia. The two withheld payment from the workers and threatened to get rid of their greencards and have them deported if they tried to escape.
Miami, FL, United States
In 1999, Maude and Saintfort Paulin arranged for the 14-year old victim to come to Miami from Haiti to work in their home. From 1999 to June 2005, Maude Paulin, along with her mother Evelyn Theodore, forced the victim to work as a domestic servant in their home, cleaning, cooking, and doing yard work. The victim worked up to 15 hours a day, seven days a week. She was forced to work through psychological and physical force, and with threats of jail and deportation back to Haiti if she refused to work. She was not paid.
Raleigh, NC, United States
Valente Chavez Sanchez Age: 33 Pleaded guilty to federal charges of sex trafficking a minor and transporting women for prostitution across state lines. Melania Corcino Age: 43 Pled guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, sex trafficking through coercion, and interstate transportation of persons with intent to engage in prostitution Jose Altagracia DeLeon Corcino Age: 25 Dominican Singer De Leon faces an extradition hearing before the Supreme Court. All three individuals operated a sex trafficking ring between 1997 and August 2004 in Raleigh, Fuquay-Varina, and Lillington, North Carolina. They trafficked the women and at least one 14 yr. old minor from New York, New Jersey and Maryland. Sanchez arranged the transportation of enslaved prostitutes from NY, NJ and MD. "The women typically would work a week in a brothel in Raleigh or Durham and then be exchanged for other out-of-state prostitutes. Investigators said the men sold $25 tickets to men for access to locations that housed females, including minors." "The price Sanchez paid for each new enslaved female was $130"(N&O). Women were kept "under lock and key" and were not allowed to quit. "Where the minor was found, there were armed guards at the house," Rangarajan said. Corcino "was barking orders and even offered her service [to investigators]"(N&O). Every Sunday evening, a new group of prostitutes was driven to Greensboro. On the way, Mora-Bueno would contact brothel operators, such as Sanchez, to see if they wanted to exchange prostitutes, Rangarajan said.
Gables Truck Stop, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere, United States
http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/facts-and-figures-2010-2011/investigative-programs Forty pimps associated with prostitution activities in central Pennsylvania were identified during the investigation. Additionally, 152 victims of prostitution were identified, 44 of which were recruited or worked as juveniles. On December 7, 2005, 18 subjects were named in two federal indictments. To date, all subjects have been convicted. Sentences ranging from 25 to 40 years in prison have been obtained. http://www.justice.gov/usao/pam/press_releases/2009%20archive/Dillard_05_15_09.htm As the direct result of [a state trooper's] actions in warning prostitutes and pimps of undercover operations and law enforcement sweeps, [a state trooper] enabled the prostitution ring to avoid arrest and prosecution and to continue to prostitute children as young as 12 years’ old at the Gables Truck Stop. Ohio Trafficking in Persons Study Commission, Research and Analysis Sub-Committee, Report on the Prevalence of Human Trafficking in Ohio: Operation Precious Cargo occurred in December, 2005 in Harrisburg, PA. As a result of this investigation 151 victims of prostitution were identified, at least 45 of which were prostituted as children. Seventy-eight of 151 identified victims were from Toledo, the youngest of whom was just 12 years old. Of the 18 traffickers indicted in the Precious Cargo Case, all but one was from Toledo. Sixteen of the traffickers pleaded guilty and received sentences of up to 25 years in prison. Two traffickers were found guilty at trial and received 35 and 45 years in prison. In addition to the 18 traffickers indicted in the Precious Cargo Case, at least six other Toledo based traffickers have been prosecuted for the sex trafficking of women and children by other FBI Divisions. This is the story of Julie, one of the girls who was only 12 years old at the time she was trafficked. Julie* was walking down the street when a man in a car pulled up to talk to her and convinced her to take a ride. She explains, I really didn’t want to ‘cause I was scared but you know how an older person just comes at you like that and you don’t know what to do…He just said we were going to just sit there for a minute and you know a minute turned into days. He was acting all nice and buying me whatever I wanted. At the time she was approached by a trafficker, her home life was chaotic. She lived in poverty with an alcoholic father. When he became intoxicated, yelling would quickly progress to physical assaults. She felt stuck. I did want to leave…because my dad, he’s always drinking and stuff like that and till this day now, he still does it and back then he would slap me and stuff so I didn’t want to stay, you know, but I didn’t want to leave cause that lifestyle, at first I thought it was ok but after being out there and having to do that… At the time of her recruitment Julie was barely connected to school, with special needs and not receiving sufficient grades, she continued to attend in hopes of catching up with her classmates. Over time, and with much convincing from her would be trafficker, Julie ended up hesitantly agreeing to get in the car. Over time he convinced her to be driven to Harrisburg, PA. While there she was taken to a motel to dress in sexier clothing and driven to a truck stop and was expected to sell herself. She was walked over to various trucks, forced to get in and have sex with truck drivers while her “watcher” waited. [He took me] to where all the other girls are, ‘cause he got like five other girls and we was at a motel. We stayed until it got dark like around five or six then went out there and worked. I didn’t know it was going to be a truck stop, I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t think I would have to walk up and down in the cold and having nasty old truck drivers touch me and stuff. I didn’t feel right…I gave the girl the money; the girl held my money after every date I had. * Story provided by Williamson (2008) raw data. Identifying characteristics have been changed to protect the victim.
United States, United States
Help A Needy Child International (HANCI), which operates an orphanage and a home for destitute children in Sierra Leone’s northern town of Makeni. The scheme went like this: two of the prime suspects currently in police custody Henry Abu and John Gbla would allegedly identify and approach destitute parents and propose to them the adoption of their children by foster parents. The unsuspecting parents who could barely afford food for the family let alone send their children to school fall in for the bait and gladly give away their children.
Miami, Florida, United States
In 2005, federal authorities arrested Mr. England, who was living in Fort Lauderdale, on charges of obtaining and using a passport by fraud. After serving a short sentence in federal prison in California, he went to a state prison to serve out his six-year sentence for the 1977 molesting charges. Federal prosecutors in South Florida said that Mr. England would be transported to Florida in the coming days to face charges of trafficking a minor across state lines for sexual purposes. These “charges will likely prevent a notorious convicted child molester from preying on other children,” said Jeffrey H. Sloman, United States attorney for the Southern District of Florida.If convicted on the additional charges, Mr. England could face life in prison.
Anchorage, AK, United States
United States v. Boehm, et. al. (Alaska). On March 19, 2004, an 18-count indictment was returned against Josef F. Boehm, charging him with conspiring commit sex trafficking of children, possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Boehm pled guilty on November 22, 2004, to child sex trafficking and drug charges. As part of the plea agreement, he agreed to forfeit his residence and also to provide $1.2 million in a trust fund for the future benefit of the victims. Boehm was sentenced on May 10, 2005, to 11 years and 3 months of incarceration to be followed by five years’ supervised release.
Bellevue, WA, United States
Prostitution ring busted By Sara Jean Green Seattle Times Eastside bureau Chinese army deserters, frequent-flier sex workers, massage-parlor madams and even a customer with diplomatic immunity were among the players swept up in a Bellevue prostitution bust, which could lead officials to similar rings in cities across the country. Bellevue police released details of the prostitution investigation yesterday, more than three months after the first of two Bellevue massage parlors was raided. Nine people — three men and six women — were arrested on suspicion of prostitution, money laundering and forgery. The investigation by Eastside detectives and federal agents was kept quiet until now to give officials time to investigate connections with other cities, said Bellevue police spokesman Michael Chiu. In December, Bellevue police and a host of state and federal agencies began receiving phone calls and letters from legitimate massage therapists who complained of strangers coming to them and requesting sex acts in exchange for generous "tips," Chiu said. The complaints prompted detectives with the Eastside Narcotics Task Force and agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to launch an undercover investigation. Two businesses — Dragon Springs, at 13251 N.E. 20th St., and Heaven & Earth Massage, at 10224 N.E. 10th St. — were put under surveillance and police followed the business operators to their homes, Chiu said. After a three-week undercover investigation, detectives raided Dragon Springs on March 11, arresting two female workers, both illegal immigrants from mainland China, along with the owner and madam, Chiu said. Six weeks after the Dragon Springs bust, Eastside detectives raided Heaven & Earth Massage on April 22 and arrested five people, including two men who apparently had deserted China's People's Liberation Army, Chiu said. So far, one man, the 35-year-old owner of Heaven & Earth Massage, has been deported to China, said Leigh Winchell, special agent in charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Seattle. Immigration proceedings are under way against a 33-year-old Portland man and a 44-year-old Bellevue woman, but Winchell declined to comment on the status of their cases, except to say both have "bonded out" of custody. Except for two women who were arrested and released, the other people who were arrested were booked into the King County Jail and later posted bail. Two of the nine people arrested are U.S. citizens, Chiu said. Three women were arrested on suspicion of prostitution, a misdemeanor charge; the others could face multiple felony charges, including permitting prostitution, promoting prostitution, money laundering and forgery, he said. No charges have yet been filed. Police not only raided the businesses but searched the main players' homes and seized bank accounts, netting close to $90,000, Chiu said. Expensive cars and boats, thousands of dollars in cash, and so-called "little black books" containing phone numbers of contacts around the country were also seized, he said. Officers also found evidence that the people in charge wired significant amounts of money overseas, Chiu said. In both cases, detectives discovered that sex workers were flown to Seattle and immediately shuttled to the massage parlors; the women would perform sex work for two or three weeks before flying to a new location, Chiu said. The women, who had to pay their own airfare, weren't allowed to leave the parlors and, at Dragon Springs, they were even locked in, Chiu said. Both parlors operated in the same way: When a customer arrived, the customer would pay a $60 massage fee to the "house" and then "tip" the female worker — usually between $40 and $100 — in exchange for sex acts, Chiu said. Immigration officials are still trying to determine how a number of the people arrested arrived in the U.S. in the first place, said Winchell, the ICE special agent. "Human trafficking in the sex trade is alive and vibrant, particularly in the Northwest," Winchell said. Investigators don't believe the female workers busted in Bellevue were sex slaves. Their participation in the sex ring was more akin to "voluntary indentured servitude," he said. As for the men who frequented Dragon Springs and Heaven & Earth Massage, Chiu said they're not off the hook for their conduct. That is, he said, with one exception: Police don't have authority to arrest one man, who has diplomatic immunity. Chiu didn't know what country the man is from. "The customers of these massage parlors might possibly be contacted by police later on — they should be looking over their shoulders," Chiu said. http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20040618&slug=prostitution18e
springdale, ohio, United States
His name is Angel "Skinny" Batista, he was forty years old at the time of his arrest. He is from the Dominican Republic, speaks no English, and was found guilty on charges of murder and promoting prostitution after he killed a customer in his brothel. He used rotating girls, and advertised with business cards in spanish, placed in cash checking stores and restaurants.
Oakland, California, United States
Adult male and adult female engaged in production of child pornography.
Oakland CA, United States
In and out of various group homes after years in foster care. picked up by the police December 2005 (16 years old)
Louisville, KY, United States
120 women were arrested....and there were 127 cases. Only 24 of the 120 women identified themselves to police as full-time Kentucky residents. Defendants in 65 of the 127 cases gave police out of state addresses suggesting that the women are perhaps being moved by managers and owners. Details about their intervention has not been released of the safety of the victims.
Hudson, CO, United States
A federal judge in Denver recently awarded the men $7.8 million in what immigration experts described as the largest judgment of its kind in the country. That ruling came after the contractors offered no defense to charges that they deducted smuggling fees, rent and cleaning charges from the workers' paychecks and used the threat of violence to make sure the men complied. A GRAND-JURY INDICTMENT In the fall of 2004, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began surveillance on the camp. They documented dozens of men living there in cramped, filthy conditions. But they also saw the men coming and going in their own cars, and talking on telephones. A grand jury indicted Moises and Maria Rodriguez and their son, Javier Rodriguez, on charges of harboring and transporting illegal immigrants. Federal authorities seized the property and more than $128,000 in cash. When they searched the two mobile homes near the barracks, they found two pistols and ammunition. In 2006, Moises and Maria Rodriguez each served nearly a year in jail and were then deported to Mexico. Javier Rodriguez - an American citizen - also pleaded guilty in the case and was sentenced to home detention. Family members who answered the door at his apartment in Brighton last week said he did not want to be interviewed for this story. While the workers told investigators they were being mistreated and were being held against their will - at least psychologically - federal prosecutors did not pursue charges of involuntary servitude against the Rodriguezes. The reason was simple: The surveillance tapes showed the workers coming and going, and it would have been difficult to convince a jury that they couldn't have escaped. "We have a higher burden of proof in the criminal matter than in the civil matter, and we would have to prove that beyond a reasonable doubt," said Jeffrey Dorschner, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Denver.
Niu Valley, United States
During Girl Fest's protest at Hamaguchi's business address, which was his home address, police threatened to arrest the demonstrators for their peaceful demonstration on the sidewalk in front of the Hamaguchi residence/business address for Video Travel.
Gresham, Oregon, United States
In a federal lawsuit, Typhoon! was alleged to have illegally classified the couple as exempt from overtime laws; worked them an average of 10 hours a day, six days a week, without overtime pay, for more than four years; made them perform the Klines' household chores and errands; and threatened to have them deported if they left their jobs. Once the two cooks quit Typhoon!, Steve Kline notified U.S. immigration authorities that the two chefs were no longer in compliance with the terms of their employment visas--called "E-2" visas--granted by the INS. Two weeks after quitting Typhoon!, the two chefs were arrested by the U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service at Portland International Airport, where they had taken their baby in order to send him back to Thailand. The two chefs were held in the INS lockup from Dec. 12 to 16.
Palmetto, Georgia, United States
In August 2004, the three owners were arrested for conspiracy, fraud, harboring aliens, and other crimes. The three were not originally indicted with the August 2004 charges because a violation in the trafficking act came into play. In November 2005 DuPreez pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy and harboring aliens and faced a maximum of fifteen years at the time of sentencing in March 2006, but has since become a fugitive. Also Johannes DuPreez was ordered to pay $363,579.40 restitution to the IRS and an additional $50,000 fine. Franciszka DuPreez was ordered to pay $182,036 to the IRS. Another defendant was sentenced to eight months home confinement and fined $2,000.
Brentwood, New York, United States
Mariluz Zavala pleaded guilty (November 5, 2004)of forced labor; conspiring to recruit, harbor, transport, house undocumented workers; engaging in extortionate credit transactions and transferring false alien registration cards of 69 Peruvians. Zavala and Jose Ibanez (co-defendent/husband) sheltered these immigrants into one house with squalid & cramped living conditions, 13 of who were minors, and used the earned money of the workers to pay for the mortgage of their three houses. They forced the victims to pay $6,000 to $13,000 for their smuggling fees.
Newton, Kansas, United States
Arlan Kaufman, 69, and his wife Linda Kaufman, 62, for over 24 years have operated the Kaufman house in Newton, Kansas. The house was a home for mentally ill patients. Arlan, a licensed social worker, and Linda, a registered nurse, routinely forced and coerced his patients to engage in nude “therapy” sessions. Arlan documented these sessions capturing himself directing the victims to perform sexually explicit acts in front of other patients. In some of the tapes Arlan can be seen sexually assaulting victims. Victims would constantly be forced to do nude labor, where they would tear down a barn, repair barbed wire fences and unload cement bricks from a pickup. The Kaufmans controlled virtually every aspect of the lives of the residents, determining which rooms they would sleep in, what furniture they would be allowed to have, when they would eat, what recreational activities they could engage in, when they could be downstairs and who could enter and leave the house. A “climate of fear” was present with the patients preventing them from contacting friends and family because afraid of consequence.
Coram, New York, United States
Mariluz Zavala pleaded guilty (November 5, 2004)of forced labor; conspiring to recruit, harbor, transport, house undocumented workers; engaging in extortionate credit transactions and transferring false alien registration cards of 69 Peruvians. Zavala and Jose Ibanez (co-defendent/husband) sheltered these immigrants into one house with squalid & cramped living conditions, 13 of who were minors, and used the earned money of the workers to pay for the mortgage of their three houses. They forced the victims to pay $6,000 to $13,000 for their smuggling fees.
North Amityville, New York, United States
Mariluz Zavala pleaded guilty (November 5, 2004)of forced labor; conspiring to recruit, harbor, transport, house undocumented workers; engaging in extortionate credit transactions and transferring false alien registration cards of 69 Peruvians. Zavala and Jose Ibanez (co-defendent/husband) sheltered these immigrants into one house with squalid & cramped living conditions, 13 of who were minors, and used the earned money of the workers to pay for the mortgage of their three houses. They forced the victims to pay $6,000 to $13,000 for their smuggling fees.
East 84th Street, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Valle-Maldonado pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import and harbor aliens for the purpose of prostitution, importation of aliens for purposes of prostitution, and brining illegal aliens to the US. She was sentenced to 54 months in prison and ordered to pay $135,542 to nine of the victims. Three of her associates have also been convicted related to the case: Javier Sandoval-Garcia, Jose Velasquez-Garcia, and Juan Gregorio Martinez-Vasquez. Velasquez-Garcia and Martinez-Vasquez were sentenced to six months in prison.
Trenton, NJ, United States
Domingo Gonzalez-Garcia, Evodio Gonzalez-Garcia, and Oscar Romero Gonzalez smuggled Domingo’s wife from Mexico to the US in order to force her to engage in prostitution in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Mount Rainier, Maryland, United States
Gary Gates and Tamisha Heyward operated a sex trafficking ring from their home on the internet. Victims, as young at 14, were forced to perform sex acts. Gates beat women who did not do as he told them, and sexually assaulted many of them. Gates also provided drugs to many of the victims. The victims were kept in their home at 16th St. NE.
Vista, CA, United States
In May 2005, Guillermo Romero-Flores and Guadalupe Ventura were convicted of two counts of harboring aliens and two counts of harboring aliens for purposes of prostitution. Ventura was also convicted of bringing in an alien for financial gain and transporting an alien for purposes of prostitution. Romero-Flores was sentenced to 27 months of custody, and Ventura to 41 months.
Brentwood, NY, United States
Mariluz Zavala and her husband Jose Ibanez recruited and smuggled over sixty Peruvian nationals (including children) to the US. The couple charged a smuggling fee that ranged from $6,000 to $13,000, and found the victims work, forcing them to then give them all their wages earned each week. The couple used the money to purchase real estate and pay their own living expenses. The victims were forced to work in Amityville, Brentwood, and Coram, New York.
Corona, Queens, United States
Josue Flores Carreto, Gerardo Flores Carreto, and Daniel Perez Alonso were involved in the Carreto family sex trafficking ring. The three admitted that between 1991 and 2004 they recruited young women from Mexico to come to the U.S. The victims were smuggled to New York City where they were forced to work as prostitutes in brothels. The victims were physically and verbally abused. The victims were forced to perform several sexual acts each day, at the date of $25 to $35. Half of the amount earner went to the owner and manager of the brothel, and the other half was taken by members of the Carreto organization.
California, Long Beach 90801, United States
Trans Bay Steel Corporation (Napa County California) received a large sub-contract to provide services to retrofit the Bay Bridge and became the sponsoring employer for the workers. Trans Bay contracted with Kota Manpower Co., and Hi Cap Enterprises, Inc., to bring 48 skilled welders from Thailand using H-2B seasonal working visas to meet the needs of the project. While Kota and Hi-Cap brought over approximately 48 welders from Thailand, only nine of them went to work for Trans Bay. The remaining welders were brought to Los Angeles and Long Beach and forced to work without pay at Thai Restaurants owned by Kota Manpower and Hi-Cap; all 48 were not paid for their work. . Additionally, some workers were confined to cramped apartments without any electricity, water, or gas.
California, San Francisco 94118, United States
Trans Bay Steel Corporation (Napa County California) received a large sub-contract to provide services to retrofit the Bay Bridge and became the sponsoring employer for the workers. Trans Bay contracted with Kota Manpower Co., and Hi Cap Enterprises, Inc., to bring 48 skilled welders from Thailand using H-2B seasonal working visas to meet the needs of the project. While Kota and Hi-Cap brought over approximately 48 welders from Thailand, only nine of them went to work for Trans Bay. The remaining welders were brought to Los Angeles and Long Beach and forced to work without pay at Thai Restaurants owned by Kota Manpower and Hi-Cap; all 48 were not paid for their work. . Additionally, some workers were confined to cramped apartments without any electricity, water, or gas.
Rohnert Park, CA, United States
Mark Leroy Daley, 41, of Santa Rosa was being held in Sonoma County Jail on $280,000 bail on four counts each of pimping a minor, providing a child under age 16 for lewd acts and pandering, and one count of possessing methamphetamine. An associate of Daley, Emmanuel Alvarado Ayala, 35, who was employed as a cook in Santa Rosa, was arrested on suspicion of eight charges involving sex with underage girls. He was booked on $100,000 bail. Police said he would pay for motel rooms and be given access to the girls. Daley used implied threats and intimidation to control the girls. He was known to hang out in downtown Santa Rosa and has lived for several years in motels on Santa Rosa and Cleveland avenues, Police Sgt. Dave Hayes said. Daley was unemployed. Police believe he tried to recruit at-risk or runaway teen-age girls living on the streets, and that there were other potential victims in this case.
Oahu, HI, United States
Lee, the owner of the Daewoosa garment factory, was convicted on February 21, 2003 of numerous federal criminal violations, including involuntary servitude, extortion and money laundering. Lee was charged in 2001, in the U.S. District Court in Hawaii, with illegally confining and using as forced labor over 200 Vietnamese and Chinese garment workers.
Stockton, California, United States
On December 12 2003, Moss was arrested after being pulled over driving his Cadillac with three prostitutes, a loaded pistol, and paperwork linking his sex trade to towns throughout the Western states. On June 21 2006, Moss was found guilty on charges that he allegedly controlled at least six, up to seven, prostitutes ranging in age from 16 to 21. He was found guilty of twelve criminal counts relating to sex trafficking of children and various firearms offenses. On February 9 2007, Will J. Moss, Jr. was sentenced by Senior US District Judge Edward J. Garcia to 40 years in federal prison. Moss has to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence; He won't be eligible for release from prison until he is 65 years old. Upon his release, he will register for life as a sex offender and serve 10 years under supervision. At least two of the victims witnessed against Moss, 17 yr old “Sinamon” and 20 yr old “Tachi”
Vista, CA, United States
Julio, Tomás and Luciano Salazar-Juárez are the dons of the largest local network trafficking and sexual exploiting Mexican girls and adolescents, who operated for over ten years in the agricultural camps and suburbs of San Diego. They used deception and coercion to recruit women and girls from native communities in Mexico to work as prostitutes in the San Diego area. The victims were normally moved by coyotes across the US Mexican border. Once in the US, the victims were kept in several houses throughout the San Diego county area. Many of the victims were moved to agricultural camps throughout the area to service workers at these locations.
McAllen, Texas, United States
7 men were convicted for harboring aliens in a safe house apartment in the Houston area. The safe house was a destination for undocumented aliens smuggled into the country and transported to Houston from the Rio Grande Valley. Soto admitted that the aliens were housed in the apartment prior to traveling to their final destinations. The men trafficked four women from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, who had agreed to pay $5000 to be smuggled into the United States. Once they arrived here, however, the women were confined in “safe houses,” where they were forced to cook, clean, and do housework without pay. In addition, they were repeatedly raped by the defendants, who were charged and convicted on federal civil rights violations, extortion, hostage-taking, immigration offenses, involuntary servitude, and human trafficking. Juan Carlos Soto, Armando Soto-Huarto, Jose Corona-Soto, Martin Cortez-Gutierrez, Javier Olvera-Hernandez, Jose-Luis Villa-Zavalla, and Jose Angel Pineda-Cortez were sentencedon various trafficking and forced servitude-related charges. Juan Carlos Soto, the ringleader, was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison without parole– the longest sentence ever handed out under TVPA as of that date. In January 2004, U.S. District Court Judge Randy Crane sentenced Armando Soto-Huarto was sentenced to ten years in prison; and Martin Cortez-Gutierrez to 14 years. Other low-level members of the conspiracy received prison sentences ranging from four to 27 months in prison.
Edinburg, Texas, United States
February 2003, local law enforcement encountered two women who had been raped and left for dead as punishment following their attempted escape from the defendants. Federal law enforcement agents identified two additional female victims and rescued them. A joint Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Federal Bureau of Investigation initiative dismantled the trafficking operation and arrested the defendants. In 2003, four defendants pled guilty to transporting aliens; two defendants pled guilty to involuntary servitude charges; and one defendant pled guilty to conspiracy to commit involuntary servitude. I n M a r c h 2 0 0 3 , A g e n t S e r r a p e r s o n a l l y l i b e r a t e d t w o w o m e n f r o m t h e t r a i l e r s i n w h i c h t h e y w e r e b e i n g h e l d . H e l e d h i s m u l t i - a g e n c y i n v e s t i g a t i v e t e a m f r o m I C E , F B I , a n d t h e H i ≠ d a l g o C o u n t y S h e r i f f ' s O f f i c e t o b r i n g t h e c a s e u n d e r t h e T r a f f i c k i n g V i c t i m s P r o t e c t i o n A c t
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Quinton Williams operated a prostitution business, and trafficked women (including minors) across state lines. Williams would supervise the victims business, and keep all of their earnings. His sex trafficking business was his only source of income. In 2001 he traveled with victims from Chicago to Indiana, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada.
St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Russian woman recruited online married American man moved to Minnesota. Husband became controlling forbade work phone use and leaving. Physically and sexually abused Accused: American husband (identity concealed).
Irvine, CA, United States
Abdelnasser Eid Youssef Ibrahim and his ex-wife, Amal Ahmed Ewis-abd Motelib decided to move with their five children to the United States to start an import-export business. The couple had bought the victim two years before moving to the United States, and brought the victim to California under an illegally obtained six-month visitor’s visa at the age of 10.
Cambrian Park, California, United States
A 15 year old girl was recruted by male pimps to enter the Santa Clara Children's Shelter to befriend girls in the shclter. She then convinced three other girls as young as 13 to run away with her to become prostitutes in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Los Angeles, United States
The victim was able to convince her employer/captor to allow her to go to church. On her way she asked the man walking next to her to use his phone and called the police. The FBI was already investigating the shop and were able to convince the victim to cooperate with them in prosecuting the trafficker. With her testimony and evidence of involuntary labor witnessed around the shop, such as small storage room the victim and her co-worker were forced to sleep in, the trafficker received six months of house arrest.
Fulton, New York, United States
"Fulton city police began their investigation shortly before midnight friday (8/9/2002) when a 15 year old girl was brought to the station by a relative. The arrests were made late Saturday and early Sunday." -Syracuse Post Standard 8/13/2002 "Seven men... face charges ranging from sexual misconduct and patronizing a prostitute to third degree rape and endangering." -Syracuse Post Standard 8/15/2002 "Judge Spencer J. Ludington has sentenced Dashnau to 9 months at the Oswego County Correctional Facility and Payment-Knopp to 6 months in Jail. Both women pleaded guilty to fourth degree promoting prostitution and endangering the welfare of a child, both misdemeanors." -Syracuse Post Standard 2/6/2003 This poster has not yet found information on the charges against the men in question.
Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA, United States
Sonoma County Sheriff's Sgt. Greg Contos said it appears the men, who knew the teens in Sacramento, somehow enticed or forced the girls to go with them to Alameda County and then Sonoma County to act as prostitutes. The teens were apparently at a different hotel in Alameda County on Monday. At about 10 p.m. Tuesday, the 18-year-old dialed 911 and gave dispatchers a description of her alleged kidnappers and their car.
Sunnyvale, California, United States
David Lee Miller Jr., former Sunnyvale police officer; Sue Yun Song and Roger K. Li, owners and operators of the Crystal Palace; Sang Ye Han and Robert Kwong Wong, owners of Ok Yeo Bong From an Asian Week article: http://asianweek.com/2002_08_09/bay_sextrafficking.html "In this particular raid, FBI officials say that the owners of Crystal Palace Nightclub and Ok Yeo Bong bar in Sunnyvale, Calif., were involved in a sex trafficking ring where immigrant women were forced to have “dates” and sex with customers in exchange for rent, utilities and cost incurred to transport them into the U.S." From an article in the SJ Mercury News: http://wc1.worldcrossing.com/WebX/.ef3dd6b "The bars -- Crystal Palace Nightclub and Ok Yeo Bong -- recruited women from Korea for at least two years, authorities say, paying traveling expenses and getting visas, but then forced the women to repay their debts through prostitution. Patrolman David Lee Miller Jr., who has spent 15 years on the force, allegedly helped the bar owners build their enterprises by warning them of police inspections. Federal court documents say the 38-year-old Morgan Hill resident also helped track down women who skipped out on the clubs without paying back the expenses of bringing them into the country."
Pittsburgh, PA, United States
The FBI led an investigation and used the Patriot Act to obtain confidential information, which resulted in the rescue of the victim. The trafficker was identified after bragging in an Internet chat room under the name of “master for teen slave girls” and sending photographs of the victim whom he identified as his “sex slave.” The victim was found restrained to a bed post with a dog collar and a chain at the offender’s house.
lake placid, florida, United States
There are three main traffickers. Juan Ramos (age 34) and Ramiro Ramos (age 42) (brothers) and Jose Ramos (age 45), their cousin. They ran a company named R&A Harvesting, Inc. that brought undocumented workers from Arizona to Florida to work in the fields picking oranges. Many of the workers were from Mexico and Central America. They employed up to 700 workers and told them that they had to pay off their transportation debt which was $1,000. The Ramos brothers were known among the workers as "El Diablo" (the Devil) and "El Nino" (tropical storm). They told the workers that ifany of them tried to escape, they would look for, find, kick beat and kill them. They were housed in sub-standard barracks and often times six workers lived in one room. $30 was deducted weekly for their lodging. The workers were not paid minimum wage, rather they received tokens for each orange bin they filled. They were also encouraged to shop at a grocery store that was more expensive than the rest, which was conveniently owned by Ramiro Ramos' wife. They worked a minimum of ten hours a day and never had a day off. Only 16 of their 680 workers had valid Social Security numbers and their I-9 forms were forged. This event is also linked to a murder that was committed on April 20th 1997. The Highlands County, Florida, Sheriff's Office received a 911 call saying that something strange had happened out in the migrant-worker ghetto. When the police got there they found a man laying face down in a pool of blood, after being shot in the back of the head execution style. The person who called 911 identified a vehicle and the police found the same vehicle at the Ramos's house. After searching the car they found a .45 caliber bullet and brought in the Ramos brothers and their cousin in for questioning. They were released. Several weeks later they found out from several migrant workers that the Ramos brothers use violence to make sure none of the workers run away without paying off their debt. The man who had been shot was a van driver that was fleeing with some workers. The Ramos brothers killed him. The police got a search warrant and searched the Ramos' house and found a Savage 7-millimeter rifle, a Marlin .22 rifle, an AK-47, a semiautomatic rifle, a Browning 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistol and a Remington 700 7-millimeter Magnum rifle. Both brothers were then arrested but released 5 days later on 20,000 bail. Weapon charges were never brought and labor charges were dropped. This just goes to show the extensive history of oppression and violence that the Ramos family placed upon migrant workers and all those that helped the workers.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
John Pickle Company (owned by John Pickle Jr,), an Oklahoma-based oil industry parts manufacturer, recruited 52 Indian workers to work in the Tulsa factory, but were imprisoned, exploited, and abused. The skilled workers (high-tech welders, fitters, electricians, engineers, and cooks) were recruited through a travel agency located in Mumbai called AL Samit International, to which they paid a very expensive recruitment fee. The owner of the company John Pickle Jr. even flew to India to meet with and interview the workers. The foreign workers were promised that they would work under similar conditions as Americans, that they would receive free room and board, medical expenses and insurance paid, and that if their performance was satisfactory they would be hired permanently, they would obtain their green cards and they would be able to bring their families over from India. They traveled to the United States under the B1/B2 visa for “training,” with open dates. Upon arrival the men’s identification and immigration documents were confiscated by Mrs. Pickle. The workers lived in factory dormitories and were subjected to fraud and deceit, inadequate pay, sub-standard living conditions, false imprisonment, lockdowns with armed guard, phone tapping, food rationing, restrictions on freedom to worship, degrading job assignments, ethnic slurs, intimidation, and non-payment of wages earned. The victims were paid between $1.00 and $3.17 per hour while the other workers were paid $14.00 for the same work. The forced labor included janitorial work, replacing septic tanks, performing kitchen duties, and yard work for JPC officers. The company was charged due to the violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and 42 U.S.C. Section 81, because the treatment was based on national origin of the foreign workers. In 2006 the company was accused by federal attorneys of hiding assets in avoidance of paying the $1.3 million verdict to the victims.
Fort Worth, Texas, United States
The operation was run by Antonio Molina and approximately 5 others. They trafficked approximately 70 women into the US from Honduras and other Latin American countries. They were promised jobs as hostesses and maids, instead they were forced to work as prostitutes in bars and night clubs. They were housed in apartments with guards and were under constant surveillance.
Seattle, Washington, United States
For many years, 5 Seattle men, 1 man from Portland, and a man and a woman from LA lured young women from Asia with the promise of a better life in the US, only to make them sex slaves in 3 brothels in Seattle and 1 in Portland. The women were brought from all over Asia - China, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Laos, Thailand - and had no idea they would be forced into prostitution. The 5 men from Seattle are: Jonny Cong Wu Phui Dang Shek Yu Ng De Qin Zhang He Qingping The woman from LA, Yuen Lam, is accused of supplying women to brothels nationwide, as well as the three discovered in Seattle and one in Portland. The prostitution ring would move the women between cities about every other week; the women were never allowed to leave the brothel, except when changing locations. The brothel at this location (Vantage Park Apartments) was run by Wu, and security camera tapes that show about 20 customers per day; the going rate was about $120 per visit at all three brothels. Ng ran another brothel on 31st Ave South, near SeaTac Airport. Zhang and Qingping ran another brothel in the Jeffrey Apartments, 167 11th Ave - about a block from the Vantage Park apartments.
Washington DC, United States
Carlos Curtis and an accomplice convinced a 12-year old runaway to become a prostitute by offering her food, clothing, and shelter. Curtis also had another victim, a 17-year old runaway from Maryland. Curtis traveled with the two from Brooklyn, NY to Washington DC, where he sold the children from sex. Curtis also had another victim, a 26-year old woman from Queens, NY.
Fancher, NY, United States
Maria Garcia, a farm labor contractor, conspired with five others (Jose J. Garcia, Jose I. Garcia, Elias Botello, Rogelio Espinoza, and Sylvia Munoz Rubio) to recruit undocumented Mexican males from Arizona to move to New York to work in labor camps. Garcia used guards to monitor the workers’ action, and physically and verbally threatened victims with threats of arrest and deportation. The camps, located in Orleans and Genesee counties in Western New York, were crowded and unsanitary. Garcia deducted heavily from the victims’ earnings, leaving them with essentially nothing. They were told they had to say until they had paid off charges for transportation, food, housing, and other miscellaneous costs.
Plainfield, New Jersey, United States
Maritzana Diaz Lopez, Pedro Burgos, Angel Ruiz, Librada Jimenez-Calderon, Antonia Jimenez-Calderon, and Sergio Farfan all played a part in recruiting young girls (ages 14-18) from Mexico to come to the U.S. under false promises, and then forcing them to work in the sex industry. The victims were held in a brothel in Plainfield, New Jersey, where they then worked seven days a week performing sex acts. They performed six to eight sex acts a day, for approximately $35 each. The victims were subject to physical violence, as well as verbal threats.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Federal agents arrested the dance instructor Monday as he tried to fly back to Russia with three of the women. Agents arrested Kennard, of Chugiak, on Tuesday for his part in the alleged fraud, including a felony count of aiding and abetting preparation of false visa applications. Both were jailed.
Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Angelique Danisse Epps and Antione D. Ford met two runaway sisters (14 and 15 years old) in Omaha, Nebraska and transported them to Grand Rapids, MI. Epps had a record of prostitution offenses, and planned to teach the girls how to be child prostitutes according to the GR Press. Ford is a gang member, and both Epps and Ford may have been attached to a murder as well immediately before they left Omaha.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Walker and the victim, a 16-year-old girl, had been dating for a year in Oklahoma. After a year, they convinced the victim’s mother to let them leave Oklahoma. They came to Albuquerque at the end of September, 2001. Once there, the victim reports that Walker beat her and forced her to work as a prostitute and turn her earnings over to him. Walker and his girlfriend came to Albuquerque at the end of September, where they lived in a motel room. According to the criminal complaint, Walker told police that the 16-year-old used to "work for him but she did not make a lot of money so he let her go." Walker "admitted to being a 'pimp,' '' according to the complaint, though he told police that the other two teens didn't work for him. The 16-year-old was arrested for prostitution, and told police that Walker was forcing her to work as a prostitute. Shortly before the 16-year-old’s arrest, Walker returned from a trip to Phoenix with a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old.
Houston, TX, United States
Jermaine Carlos Diaz, 23, trafficked young girls from his hometown of Fort Smith,AR to Houston, TX for the purpose of prostitution.
Newark, NJ, United States
In 2002, the United States District Court in the District of New Jersey indicted traffickers with: - 1 count Conspiracy - 5 counts of Forced Labor - 5 counts of Trafficking with Respect to Forced Labor - 1 count of Conspiracy to Commit Extortion The following law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation and prosecution of this incident: - Special Agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agency in Charge Leslie Wiser, Jr. - Investigators with the State Division of Criminal Justice, under the direction of New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey - Special Agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Kyle Hutchins - U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York, under the direction of U.S. Attorney Michael J. Garcia - Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie F. Schwartz, of the Criminal Division’s Strike Force Unit in Newark - Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Jampol, of the Violent Crimes Unit in Newark
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
The convictions are the result of a coordinated effort of the Trafficking In Persons and Worker Exploitation Task Force, an interagency effort that brings together different agencies to combat the problem of trafficking in persons and modern-day slavery in the United States. The case, which was investigated jointly by the INS, FBI, and the Anchorage Police Department, was prosecuted by the Criminal Section of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska (DOJ). If yes, in what way and with what result? U.S. vs. Virchenko was the first case to be decided under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). Additionally, the Department of Justice expanded the definition of commercial sexual service of a minor to include not only “a commercial sexual activity,” but also a “sexually explicit performance” (Mattar).
Berkeley, California, United States
On November 24, 1999, Reddy and a group of his employees were spotted carrying the unconscious body of a 17-year-old girl into a van, and trying to force an 18-year-old girl in as well. Marcia Poole, a passing motorist, stopped the kidnapping and alerted the police who came to the scene, but Reddy managed to resolve the situation, by claiming that the unconscious girl was the daughter of one of his employees. The 17-year-old and her 15-year-old sister, who had been lying in a nearby stairwell, had suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in a Reddy-owned apartment and were taken to nearby Alta Bates hospital, where the 17-year-old was pronounced dead. The police accepted Reddy's explanation of an accidental death, but the Berkeley High Jacket, the student newspaper of nearby Berkeley High School, found it odd that the girls had not been attending school. Reporters Megan Greenwell and Iliana Montauk dug into the case and broke the story, exposing a web of criminal activity. Reddy had been exploiting the H-1B visa system for years to traffick poor Indian workers into the country as forced laborers. He brought in over 20 immigrants on the H-1B program, claiming that they were computer programmers. In many cases, he had the workers petition to bring in other trafficked workers into the US, claiming that they were family, and backing up the claims with falsified documents. The trafficked workers were generally made to work in Reddy's restaurants and apartment buildings. The two girls, supposed "daughters" of one of Reddy's "programmers," were not only forced to clean Reddy's buildings, but were also his underaged sex slaves. Reddy was sentenced to eight years in prison, required to repay US$2 million dollars, and will be a registered sex offender upon his release. Two of his sons received lesser sentences for conspiracy to defraud the INS as part of plea agreements. Reddy was released April 2, 2008.[1] The Reddy family currently operates numerous apartment complexes in the Berkeley area under the names Reddy Realty and Everest Properties, as well as the Pasand restaurants in Berkeley and Santa Clara.
Camden, NJ, United States
Nantawat Naovasairi was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for recruiting and transporting Thai females to the US and attempting to murder and FBI agent. Naree Hanlert was sentenced to 12 months in prison and three years supervised release for conspiracy to smuggle undocumented foreign nationals to the country. Ratiporn Tantirojankikan was sentenced to 17 months in prison and two year supervised release. Two other suspects remain fugitives.
Los Angeles, CA, United States
On April 16, 2001 Alamin was sentenced to 11 years in prison and three years probation for holding the victim against her will and five years of forced labor. Akhter was sentenced in May of the same year to one year in prison and three years supervised release. The couple was also ordered to pay $126,000 in restitution to the victim.
Lexington,ky, United States
Federal investigators looked into a smuggling ring that brought Eastern European immigrants to KY and other states to work at hotels using fake documents. Hotels in Lexington, Fort Mitchell, and Louisville were targeted. Many workers disappeared after the raids by immigration agents. At four hotels workers had not been paid for at least a month by the contracting agency. Additional information about the intervention has not been released.
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Joseph Djoumessi, 49, was found guilty of conspiracy, involuntary servitude and harboring for financial gain. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison, to run concurrent with a 9-to-15-year sentence he is currently serving for a Michigan state conviction related to the same crime. A jury also convicted Djoumessi’s wife, Evelyn Djoumessi, 42, of conspiracy and involuntary servitude. She was sentenced to five years in prison. The couple was also ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution to the victim. The couple (and the victim) were immigrants from Cameroon.
Holt, California, United States
There was an enforcement in July, 2002. The case was settled by Victoria Island Farm, LLP and JB Farm Labor Contractor. Victoria Island Farm, LLP paid $546,969 and JB Labor Contractor paid $100,000. This settlement amount included money for restitution, interest, attorney's fees and costs and penalties. The suit charged JB and Victoria Island with numerous labor law violations. According to the suit, workers were not told the terms of their employment and are intimidated by armed guards on the property. Most of the 500 workers in the camps were unauthorized migrants from Mexico who harvest asparagus from mid-February to late May. One worker reported earning $120 weekly, and having $55 weekly deducted for living in the camp and $10 daily for meals. Victoria Island Farm also agreed to spend another 260,000 to clean up the camps and make conditions more livable.
Immokalee, Fl, United States
Jose Tecum was found guilty of kidnapping, sale into involuntary servitude, bringing in and harboring aliens and fraud and misuse of visas and permits. Status: Locked up until October 2007
Miami Lakes, Miami, FL, United States
At first they were not helpful in the process of freeing Little Hope and pressing charges agianst the traffickers. Later one they becam very involved and particapated in the arrests and convictions of the traffickers.
Santa Rosa, CA, United States
Two of the three girls are sisters, and said they were homeless because their father was dead and their mother was a drug abuser. According to McPeters, two of the girls first approached him on Santa Rosa Avenue when he was using the telephone and asked him for a ride. He said he began hanging out with the girls because they had methamphetamine. He got them rooms at different Santa Rosa motels and arranged for them to have sex with men he brought to their rooms. One girl said McPeters often would wait outside the motel room or apartment bedrooms and knock when time was up. The defendant provided the girls with pocket knives for protection, food, rides to school and condoms, according to the police investigation cited in a pre-sentencing report prepared by the probation department. Police discovered three girls engaging in prostitution after they arrested a convicted rapist who was not supposed to be in the company of minors as part of the conditions of his parole, but was seen in the company of one of them the day after his release from prison. Further investigation led to the arrest of McPeters on suspicion of pimping and pandering.
Richmond, Virginia, United States
In one particular case, intervention occurred by the way of a rescuer taking the initiative to look into a suspicious working situation in a local family's home.
Immokalee, Florida, United States
From the Palm Beach Post: "Jose Antonio Martinez and Francisco Martinez got sick of working 10 hours to make $15 after being promised $150 per day. Almost all their money in early 1999 went to their labor contractors for rent, food and their $750 smuggling fees. After picking tomatoes all day, they weren't allowed to leave the roach-infested trailer they shared with 22 other workers west of Immokalee. "You were locked up... you couldn't stick your head out," Francisco said. The floor had holes through which they saw snakes, and their mattresses were on the floor. The cousins escaped and eventually reported the contractors to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), which contacted the U.S. Department of Justice."
An apartment on Post Gate Terrace in Aspen Hill, Maryland, United States
On November 29, 1999 Satia and Nanji were arrested. Their arrest led to the arrest of Satia's sister, Vivian Satia, and her husband, Etiondem Daniel Achamorfaw. Vivian and her husband admitted to not only helping to lure R.O. into the United States, but bringing another Cameroonian girl, Christina Elangwe into the U.S. as their own domestic servant. In December 2001, Louisa Satia and Kevin Nanji were convicted of holding the victim in involuntary servitude, conspiracy to bring an illegal immigrant into the United States, and haboring the victim for their personal finanical gain. Satia was also convicted of passport and marriage fraud after documents revealed her involvement with arranging marriages for American men and Cameroonian women and producing fraudulent passports. Both Satia and Nanji were sentenced nine years in prison and ordered to pay their victim $105,306, an approximated sum of what the couple owed the victim if she had been paid about $12 an hour. The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and the U.S. Department of State. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mythili Raman and Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Seth Rosenthal.
Seattle, Washington, United States
Junk Won Hwang, age 29, has been smuggling roughly 20 illegal immigrants a month to the US through Canada. He entered the country illegally in 1990 and was deported in 1999. He has since been cooperating with authorities to crack down on human trafficking between the US, Canada, and Korea.
Mt. Prospect, IL, United States
Alex Mishulovich Male Age – 50 Charged with visa fraud, peonage - keeping someone in servitude- and conspiracy to commit peonage Served 9 years and was released on 11/30/2006 Vadim Gorr Drove the women to their jobs and held them against their wills. Charged with Visa Fraud and has since been released on Parole Rudite Pede Female Age- 34 Mishulovich's wife and helped recruit some of the women in Latvia, assuring them the way only a woman could that they'd be safe and the work was respectable. Released from prison 6/11/1999 The girls were given movies to watch -- "Showgirls'' and "Striptease'' -- to learn how to dance exotically. Associates exerted control over the women by demeaning them, telling them they'd committed a crime coming into the country, that his U.S. citizenship gave him more credibility with police. He exerted control over the women by beating them and bragging about supposed connections to the Chechen mafia. Mishulovich promised each of the women more than $60,000 a year. All they had to do was dance in "upscale" nightclubs completely clothed, lie at the embassy about their purpose for traveling to the United States, and hand over half of their earnings until they paid off their transportation debts. When they arrived in Chicago in November 1997, they were told they would be dancing topless. Their identification papers were taken and they were required to give all but $20 of the $200 to $600 they made nightly to Mishulovich. "He inflated the costs and kept building their debt," explains FBI Special Agent Michael E. Brown. "He told them he needed the money to pay living expenses and bribes to police and politicians." Chicago, IL – Chicago Nightclubs - Admiral, Heavenly Bodies, Thee Dollhouse, Skybox and Crazy Horse 2 Alexander Mishulovich and his associates approached five young women on the streets of Riga, Latvia with flattery and an offer of employment in the United States The women were not allowed to leave the one-bedroom apartment Mishulovich had rented in suburban Mt. Prospect, Illinois, except to work at various strip clubs in Chicago and Harvey, Illinois.
Chicago, IL, United States
1. Alex Mishulovich, male, approx. 40 years old at time of investigation, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Russia. Trafficked at least five Latvian women into the U.S. to dance as strippers in nightclubs he owned in Chicago. Also held the women in isolation in an apartment, continually harassed them for sex, and used physical violence and threats of selling them as prostitutes to force the women to strip. 2. Rudite Pede, female, Mishulovich's wife - Entered U.S. from Latvia by fraud. Assisted Mishulovich in obtaining false visas for the trafficked women and recruiting the women in Latvia. 3. Vadim Gorr - male, 35. Drove the women between their apartment and the clubs and assisted Mishulovich in holding them against their will. 4. Dace Mediniece - female, 26. Friend of Rudite. Assisted Rudite in entering U.S. illegally and entered illegally herself. 5. Sergei Tcharouchine - male, 42. Allegedly planned the ring with Mishulovich. Remains at large.
Miami, Florida, United States
A Little Havana business owner, Manuel “Melo” Sanchez Reyes, was charged with 42 counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child. Police believed he preyed on young girls for years.
Fort Pierce, FL, United States
Michael Allen Lee, an African-American labor contractor, was the leader of the "Lee Operation." Lee and his conspirators, William Oscar Smith, and Billy C. Rankin recruited homeless and drug dependent African-American men from around Fort Pierce, Florida, as agricultural farm workers. In exchange for picking oranges, the workers were given loans extended by Lee, for rent, food, cigarettes, and crack cocaine. The workers were paid only about thirty-five to fifty dollars a week, thirty of which went to Lee for their rented space on his floor. After incurring debts that they were unable to repay, the workers became indebted to Lee. Along with their indebtedness, Lee used force and the threat of force to keep the men working for him against their will.
Fort Pierce, Florida, United States
Juan Luis Cadena-Sosa, 43 from Mexico. Also being convicted is Procopio Lopez-Contreras, 47. Also said to be aided by other members of the Cadena-Sosa family. Juan Luis has been convicted of invonluntary servitude and conspiracy to recruit, harbor, and transport known illegal aliens for prostitution. He is being sentenced in August, 2008 with a max of 15 years possible.
San Mateo, CA, United States
As a part of an effort to decrease human trafficking in San Mateo the San Mateo police force shut down three "massage parlors" that were acting as fronts for illegal brothels. The buildings were owned by Michael and Ty Thi D'Agostino and the D'Agostino Family Trust. Over the past several years, police said they made 12 arrests for prostitution at Kahala, eight at Asian Gardens and 14 at Bay Relaxation. At a raid of the businesses in January, police said they found stacks of condoms, sent customers and employees scurrying for clothing and broke up a sex act.
Vista, San Diego County, United States
Julio, Tomas and Luciano Salazar. From Mexico. Ran the largest prostitution ring in the county using underage girls smuggled from Mexico. They were forced to service migrant workers in agriculture camps, among other things. Stopwatches were uses to time their "Clients". Girls with children had their children taken and used as hostages. They were told their child would be killed if they tried to escape.
Bellevue, Washington, United States
Yes - This raid happened in 1996, long before the law enforcement knew what human trafficking was. The women who were being prostituted from this house ranged from ages 19-25. They were from Thailand, Taiwan and Laos. Four of the women were in the US illegally. Police also said the women worked as prostitutes as part of a ring that operated in Sacramento, LA, and Oklahoma.
El Monte, California, United States
From the Los Angeles Times: "Most of them said they came from impoverished farming families and had headed to the metropolis of Bangkok to find sewing jobs. There, they met labor contractors who promised them good jobs in America and monthly pay of $1,000 – nearly 10 times what some were earning in Thailand. They were told they would work 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with weekends off to see the glamorous sights of Los Angeles. But the reality was vastly different. Buppha Chaemchoi, 37, said she was shocked to arrive in El Monte and realize that she would sleep crammed in one bedroom on the floor with nine others. The windows had been boarded up, she said, allowing virtually no sunlight. Her captors told her that if she tried to escape, brutal U.S. police would shave her head and stamp her scalp with marks of disgrace, she said. “It made me worry and want to stay inside and just wait for my three-year contract to end,” Chaemchoi said. Chuai Ngan, 47, who came to the U.S. in 1993, said she also was intimidated with threats that her family would be harmed and their home in Thailand burned down if she attempted to leave. Not all captives were willing to accept their fate, however. Win Chuai Ngan, the 51-year-old husband of Sukanya, was the first to escape from El Monte. As one of the few male laborers, he said, he was allowed to go outside to take out the trash and help move sewing machines and other heavy supplies into the complex. One day, he said, he saw a Thai newspaper in the trash, surreptitiously tore out the phone number for a Thai temple and kept it hidden in his pocket. In November 1992, he made his move – jumping over the fence in the middle of the night. He ran to a taxi stand and asked to be taken to the temple. “I was so scared the owner would see me and kill me,” Win Chuai Ngan said. He said he told his story to Thai authorities and newspapers in Los Angeles, and gave them an address label for the El Monte complex that he had torn from the newspaper. But he said he did not report it to U.S. law enforcement officials because he was scared they would deport him. A few others also escaped, and community advocates eventually helped get the information to authorities. On Aug. 2, a multiagency task force led by the California Department of Industrial Relations raided the complex. Some of the women were cowed by their captors’ earlier descriptions of U.S. police and refused to open the door, which authorities hacked open with an ax. Others said they were overjoyed at their liberation. “I was so happy,” said Clinton, who had been held captive since April 1994. “I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m going home!’ ” In the end, most of the workers decided to stay after Su and others successfully fought to win legal status for them. The workers annually celebrate Aug. 13 as their first full day of freedom, since that’s when all of them were allowed to leave immigration detention facilities. Clinton and the Chuai Ngans said that whatever travails they endured here, their American journeys have been well worth taking."
Quincy, MA, United States
Talal and Abair Alzanki (30 and 21 at time of incident). Talal Alzanki was a student at Boston University from Kuwait and came to the US with his wife Abair and their child. They employed a domestic servant, Ms. G. from August to December 1992. Ms. G., who was from Sri Lanka, had been working for the Alzanki family in Kuwait where her passport had been taken from her and she was threatened that she would be subject to arrest should she leave the residence. She was informed that she would work for Talal and Abair Alzanki in America. Ms. G. was promised a salary of $250 per month which was reduced to $120 before she departed Kuwait. Upon arrival in Quincy, MA her passport was taken from her again. During the four month working for the Alzankis in Quincy she was repeatedly threatened that she would be deported if she left the house and that American police and citizens would shoot undocumented aliens who ventured out alone. She was not permitted to use the telephone or mail and to speak to anyone but the Alzankis. Ms. G. was made to clean the house with caustic and noxious fumes, deliberately risking her health. The Alzankis refused to get her medical treatment for serious health problems. Ms. G. was also physically assaulted on two occasions. The Alzankis denied adequate food and Ms. G. became severely malnourished. Ms. G. was also threatened on almost a daily basis with deportation, death, or serious harm, should she disobey the Alzanki's orders.
Camarillo, California, United States
Mauro Casares Edwin M. Ives, Dolly Ives, Griffith-Ives Co., former ranch employees Parmjit Singh, Rony havive, Alvaro Ruiz, Najuum Issac, Pedro and David Pinzon "The violations Ed has admitted making . . . were commonplace in agriculture during the 1980s," the report says. "His sins were the sins of an entire industry." He recruited Zapotec and Mixtec laborers from the rural mountaintops of southern Mexico, smuggling them into the country and allegedly imprisoning them behind locked gates and high fences at his 50-acre Somis compound and forced the to work for 1$ an hour Prosecutors charge that Ives enslaved hundreds of workers at his compound between 1984 and 1990, first by forbidding them to leave until smuggling fees were paid and then by threatening to turn them in to immigration agents if they fled. More than 100 workers have testified or declared in statements that they lived in slave-like conditions at Ives' Somis ranch. Though slavery charges were dropped in a plea bargain last year, prosecutors have continued to argue that Ives virtually imprisoned laborers recruited from rural Mexican villages during the 1980s, forcing them to work for sub-minimum wages and to buy the necessities of life at inflated prices from a company store. charged with enslaving more than 100 undocumented workers from Mexico and forcing them to work long hours at menial wages. Lured by promises of good pay, the Mexicans were smuggled into the United States, then were kept at a 50-acre ranch until they could pay off a $435 smuggling fee, according to a federal grand jury indictment issued Tuesday they worked from 3:30AM to 8:00 PM
Davenport, CA, United States
The 24-year-old female allegedly needed some more money to pay her rent, so she and the 18 and 15 year old females drove into Santa Cruz to pick up some girls. They found a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old, and lured them into the car with promises of a party. Instead, they took the two girls to seven different farm labor camps in Davenport, where they were sold for sex for $25 to men living in the camps. The girls were forced to have sex with at least 20 men in five hours. Sometime after midnight, the group returned to Santa Cruz and stopped at a liquor store. One of the girls was able to escape and asked a store clerk to call the police. The car drove off without her. The other girl was released a short time later. Another 15-year-old girl had been lured into the car earlier the same night. She managed to escape, and her father phoned the police.
Azusa, California, United States
Yes, due to the murder of Mr. Covarrubias. He was brutally beaten to death with a table leg by Rene (Pedro) Soto, as Felipa Soto and Maria Suarez watched. Suarez eventually called the police after cleaning and hiding the weapon and this instigated the investigation. The general story is quite complicated. Details from numerous Los Angeles Times articles from 1982 (Questions Linger in ‘Voodoo’ Slaying, Voodoo Looms as Murder Trial Issue, Voodoo Power Cited in Murder Case Appeal) do not correspond with information published in the Christian Science Monitor in 2007 (http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0322/p13s01-usju.html?page=1) or an AP story written by Amy Taxin on August 12, 2009. This is due, likely, in no small measure to the lack of understanding of trafficking at the time of the investigation in the 80’s. Multiple jurors felt uneasy with the later conviction of Suarez for first-degree murder, and were instructed not to account in their deliberations for the psychological manipulation of Suarez by Covarrubias. Here is the basic narrative. In 1976, Suarez (16 at the time) immigrated legally into the US. Some accounts report she came to the US with her father, others report she came to live with her sister, Rita, who was already a resident of Los Angeles. She knew little to no English and had only completed 6 years of schooling. One day a woman, speaking Spanish, offered Suarez a job cleaning homes and answering phones. This woman persuaded Suarez to leave immediately to visit the house where she would work. The drive was over one hour. Upon arriving, Covarrubia allowed her to call her sister to notify her that she had found work and would come home later. The phone was then locked, she was informed of her purchase for $200 to the man 52 years her senior, shown to a tiny room and raped by him. Covarrubia was known as a witch-doctor (warloc). He practiced voodoo and used this to frighten and intimidate Suarez. He stole a pair of her underwear and after performing some form of spell buried the underwear in the cement in front of the house. This meant she could never leave and would always return to the house. She believed he hexed her father and later, ultimately, caused his death. Once he allowed her, for immigration issues, to return to Mexico but she, at one point, felt pins and needles throughout her body and knew she must return home. Covarrubia would belittle Suarez to his voodoo clients, openly taunting her about his sexual exploitation of her. She reported that he threatened her with guns and a machete if she tried to return home. For a time she worked at an electronics assembly factory, but believed that he watched her through his crystal ball as she worked, taking all her income from the work. In her trial, her defense team tried to bring all this to the jurors, but they were told not to allow psychological coercion or allegations thereof as part of their deliberation. The defense attorney tried to plead that due to the numerous spells on Maria, she could not allow herself to even intend to kill Covarrubia, thus negating to possibility of any first-degree charges. Rene and Felipa Soto were neighbors to Covarrubia. He owned the house the Sotos lived in and reportedly also had them under his control through spells and a voodoo doll. Both reported that he could cause them to argue at will. Like Suarez, they only attended school for 6 years before legally immigrating to the US and feared his witchcraft. They believed they could only emancipate themselves from his control by killing him. The prosecution charged that the three killed Covarrubia for monetary reward. The Soto’s were to profit with free rent, Suarez by the sale of Covarrubia’s home and the emptying of his bank accounts. Covarrubia had, years before, deeded the title of this home over to Suarez as a way to avoid its loss during the divorce from his then wife. He had asked her to deed the house back to himself, but this never occurred. Around the time of Covarrubia’s death and police investigation, Suarez turned the title of the house over to her brother, Epifanio, as well as took up to $54,000 from Covarrubia’s accounts. She claimed this was for her defense. How much the ex-wife or Covarrubia’s two children knew of her servitude is not clear. The children claimed in a civil suit against Suarez that she had manipulated their father and had promised to take care of him for the rest of his life. The jury foreman for her trial for murder stated that he did not believe she killed him for financial gain, but rather to free herself from Covarrubia’s control.