Category: USDJ Human Trafficking

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

A massage parlor owner whose employees offered illicit commercial sex has been federally charged, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

Shaoping Wen, 64, and her associate, Xu Wang, 41, were charged via criminal complaint with conspiracy to use interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises. They were arrested in New Mexico on March 21 and made their initial appearances in Las Cruces Wednesday. They are now awaiting removal to Lubbock to face justice in a Northern District of Texas federal court.

According to the complaint, Ms. Wen allegedly owned and operated at least seven massage parlors where Asian women engaged in commercial sex. Mr. Wang, who identified himself as Ms. Wen’s son, allegedly operated the parlors on her behalf when Ms. Wen was out of state.

On at least 10 occasions between June 2023 and February 2024, undercover officers purchased $60 massages at Ms. Wen’s parlors in Texas and New Mexico.  The officers were generally greeted by lingerie-clad women who allegedly agreed to have sex with them for an additional fee of between $140 and $200. Several of the women allegedly used translation apps to negotiate sexual services.

When the women were arrested for prostitution, they identified themselves as Chinese citizens and listed their occupation as simply, “laborer.” On multiple occasions, Ms. Wen or Mr. Wang allegedly showed up to pay the arrested women’s cash bond.

Officers also observed Ms. Wen’s vehicle transporting Asian females directly from the airport to her massage parlors. Neighbors said the women never left the building. Searches of the premises revealed beds placed on the floors, suggesting the women lived at the massage parlors.

On at least one occasion, a passerby heard a woman screaming and entered the parlor to check-in. He reported seeing three women between the ages of 30 and 50 dressed in provocative clothing.

Officers found the massage parlors advertised on sites often used to advertise commercial sex. The ads included photos of partially naked women and promoted  “100% sexy” girls who “like to spend time with nice upscale gentlemen.” They advertised the “girlfriend experience,” “porn star experience,” and “fantasy outfits on request.”

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of wrongdoing, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

If convicted, Ms. Wen and Mr. Wang face up to 5 years in federal prison.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – Lubbock Resident Agency, Homeland Security Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Lubbock Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, HSI’s Albuquerque Field Office, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Wolfforth Police Department, the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, the Carlsbad Police Department, the Roswell Police Department, the Clovis Police Department, the Roswell Fire Department, the Carlsbad Fire Department, the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam is prosecuting the case.

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 19, 2024

SAN DIEGO – Matthew Isaac Wolfe was sentenced in federal court today to 14 years in prison for his role in a conspiracy with Michael Pratt, owner of the website GirlsDoPorn, and others, to deceive and coerce young women into appearing in pornographic videos. A restitution hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2024 at 10 a.m.

The conspiracy included recruiting the victims from throughout the United States and Canada using internet advertisements for clothed modeling jobs. Even after the victims learned the gig involved an adult video-shoot, Wolfe admitted to persuading women to appear in the videos by telling them that the videos would never be posted online, that the videos would never be released in the United States, and that no one who knew the women would ever find out about the videos, representations he knew to be false. In truth, the videos were exclusively marketed and distributed on the internet. Not only did Wolfe lie to the women, he also instructed others to do so. Wolfe told co-defendant Theodore Gyi, the cameraman on hundreds of GirlsDoPorn video shoots, that if asked, he should lie to the women and tell them the videos would not be posted on the internet.

Most of the video shoots took place in San Diego – at local hotels and short-term rental units.  Although the women were promised that the video shoots would be brief, they often took hours. Once the video productions began, some women were not permitted to leave the shooting locations until the videos were completed; some were threatened with lawsuits or cancelled flights home if they did not complete the videos; and others were allegedly forced to perform certain sex acts, which they had earlier declined to do.

After the victims returned home, still believing that they would remain anonymous, clips of the videos were posted on heavily trafficked adult film sites, like Pornhub, meant to funnel viewers to the full-length versions of the videos on Pratt’s website, GirlsDoPorn. Pratt charged visitors to GirlsDoPorn a subscription fee and generated more than $17 million in revenue. 

Wolfe pleaded guilty to the conspiracy on July 26, 2022, admitting he moved to the United States from New Zealand in 2011 to work for Pratt and had a wide range of responsibilities. He filmed approximately 100 videos; uploaded finished videos onto the internet; oversaw the company’s financial books; and operated various business entities that were used to promote the business. Wolfe worked at GirlsDoPorn from 2011 until his arrest in October 2019.

During hearings today and on January 22, 2024, approximately 30 survivors asked a federal judge to impose a significant sentence, describing how the actions of Wolfe and his co-defendants destroyed their lives. Survivors, many of them college students at the time, described answering what they thought were legitimate modeling ads and flying to San Diego for paid modeling gigs, only to be forced to perform sexual acts on camera.

The women spoke of struggling with substance and alcohol abuse, anxiety and depression, suicidal thoughts and attempts, and post-traumatic stress syndrome in the aftermath of their videos going viral. Some spoke of lost relationships with friends and family; others dropped out of school; and others went into hiding.

One of the women said: “I was robbed of my privacy, my dignity, and my peace of mind… But worst of all, I was robbed of my identity. I was once viewed as a beautiful, fun-loving and strong woman who was known for her athleticism and ability to make just about anyone laugh. I was a caring friend and a daughter my parents were proud of. Mr. Wolfe shattered who I was…Today I’m taking my identity back. I am not a victim. I’m a survivor.”

One woman recalled the day she learned that her pornographic video received more than 300 million views on Pornhub, one of the most-visited websites in the world.

“That ad seemed harmless, but it wrecked my entire life. In an instant, the life I had was gone: My hopes gone, my relationships gone, everything was gone…The fall-out from the videos spread to every part of my life like cancer, and that cancer remains to this day, making it virtually impossible for me to start a new life. I lost my modeling career, my college years, my whole twenties, my name, my career path, my friends, and my family. Everything I had built was gone, and so too was my future. Doors that were once opened were slammed in my face…Matthew Wolfe stole my life, and it wasn’t just my life. He stole hundreds of lives. What kind of price do you put on a life? Mr. Wolfe deserves a jail sentence that accounts for each and every life he has stolen.”

Another woman told the court: “It’s been nearly 3,650 days of living in a tortuous purgatory, but today marks a major milestone in my recovery. Today there’s a shift in the winds. Today is the day all the survivors get their voices back. Today is the day we get to be heard.”

Wolfe also admitted he was aware that personal identifying information and social media accounts for some women were being posted on pornwikileaks.com, a site controlled by Pratt and dedicated to “exposing” the true identities of individuals appearing in pornographic videos, causing the victims to be subjected to severe harassment. Even after Wolfe became aware of this, he and others continued to assure prospective models that no one would ever find out about their video shoot or learn their identity.

“We applaud all survivors who courageously speak out in pursuit of justice,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Their voices rang out in the courtroom today, and we stand beside them in holding Mr. Wolfe accountable for the incredible pain and suffering he caused.”

“Matthew Wolfe’s willingness to use deception, coercion and intimidation to exploit young women paints a sordid picture of the lengths some people will go just to make money,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “Wolfe’s sentencing today, and any past or future sentencings related to this case, are small slivers of justice for the victims, but ultimately don’t fully heal the deep pain spawned by Mr. Wolfe and the other defendants.”

Co-defendant Michael Pratt made his first appearance today after being extradited from Spain following more than three years as an international fugitive. In 2022, Pratt was named to the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted list.

Ruben Andre Garcia, the recruiter and male model, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on June 14, 2021. Theodore Gyi was sentenced to four years in prison on November 9, 2022. Valorie Moser, the office manager, is set for sentencing on August 9, 2024.

DEFENDANTS                                             Case Number 19cr4488                       

Michael James Pratt                                        Age:       36                 Unknown

Matthew Isaac Wolfe                                      Age        37                     San Diego, CA

Ruben Andre Garcia                                       Age:       31                      San Diego, CA

Theodore Gyi                                                  Age,       46                        Solana Beach, CA  

Valorie Moser                                                 Age:       37                       San Diego, CA

CHARGES

Count 1

Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, 18 U.S.C. § 1594

Maximum Penalty:  Life in prison, $250,000 fine.

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

FBI – Southern District of California

U.S. Marshals Service

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that MICHAEL PASCHAL was sentenced to 11 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick for sex trafficking a minor victim.  Today’s sentencing followed PASCHAL’s conviction on all counts at trial on May 9, 2023.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Michael Paschal trafficked a vulnerable teenager who was one third his age, promising her food and shelter and immediately turning on her.  He exploited the victim for his own financial gain, and when confronted by law enforcement, he showed no remorse for his despicable actions.  Thanks to the courageous testimony of the victim, our law enforcement partners, and the career prosecutors of this Office, today, he was justly sentenced to over a decade in prison for his crimes.”

According to the Indictment and statements made in court proceedings and filings:

In July 2020, PASCHAL induced a minor victim (“Minor Victim-1”) to travel from another state to PASCHAL’s Bronx residence with the intent to sex traffic Minor Victim-1.  PASCHAL operated a prostitution business from that residence in the Bronx.  Minor Victim-1 stayed at PASCHAL’s residence for several weeks in July 2020, during which time PASCHAL directed Minor Victim-1 to engage in commercial sex and profited from it. 

Minor Victim-1 was then returned to her home state, but several weeks later, PASCHAL again began sex trafficking Minor Victim-1 from his residence in the Bronx.  PASCHAL posted prostitution ads containing sexually explicit photographs of Minor Victim-1 and communicated with sex buyers to facilitate commercial sex with Minor Victim-1.

PASCHAL sex trafficked Minor Victim-1, and worked with others to ensure that Minor Victim-1 was engaging in commercial sex for his profit, for weeks until she was recovered from PASCHAL’s residence in or about December 2020.  When confronted, PASCHAL told law enforcement, in sum and substance, “what’s the big deal, she’s about to turn 18 anyway.”

*                *                *

In addition to the prison term, PASCHAL, 53, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of Homeland Security Investigations. 

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead, Jackie Delligatti, and Jane Kim are in charge of the prosecution.

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

SANTA ANA, California – A South Bay man is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon on a five-count federal grand jury indictment that alleges he kidnapped a woman, forced her to work for him as a prostitute in Orange County, and then raped her in the Angeles National Forest.

Leslie Anthony Bailey, 32, who lives on a boat docked in Wilmington, was arrested Thursday by special agents with Homeland Security Investigations and members of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force. Bailey is expected to be arraigned today in United States District Court in Santa Ana.

The indictment returned Wednesday and unsealed Thursday afternoon charges Bailey with sex trafficking, kidnapping, aggravated sexual abuse and two counts of using a cellphone to facilitate his business involving prostitution, pimping and pandering.

The victim identified as “J.H.” was kidnapped on February 5, 2022, held for several days, and was subjected to force, threats of force and coercion that caused her to engage in at least one commercial sex act, according to the indictment. That kidnapping continued until February 8, 2022, when Bailey drove the victim into the Angeles National Forest, where he raped her “by using force against victim J.H. and by threatening victim J.H. and placing victim J.H. in fear that victim J.H. would be subject to death, serious bodily injury, and kidnapping,” the indictment states.

“Sex traffickers prey upon vulnerable people, turning their misery into profits,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “This defendant is charged with using threats, coercion and physical violence to control his victim. We are committed to fighting human trafficking and bringing perpetrators to justice.”

“HSI Los Angeles and our partners at the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are committed to ensuring that violent sexual criminals and their heinous conduct have no place in our community,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “My office will hold these predators accountable and will provide victims with a pathway towards restorative justice.”

Bailey allegedly used a “facility of interstate commerce” – a cellphone – as part of a business enterprise in which he “caused victim J.H. to engage in prostitution and supervised, directed, and collected the proceeds of victim J.H.’s prostitution.”

The fifth count in the indictment alleges that between March 7 and April 25, 2023, Bailey used the internet and a cellphone to further the prostitution, pimping and pandering of a second victim.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

The sex trafficking offense in the indictment carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a potential sentence of life imprisonment. Both the kidnapping and the aggravated sexual abuse charges carry a maximum statutory penalty of life. The two counts alleging the use of a facility in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activity each carry up to five years in federal prison.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are investigating this matter. The Task Force includes HSI, the Anaheim Police Department, the Irvine Police Department, the Santa Ana Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol.

Assistant United States Attorney Kristin N. Spencer of the Santa Ana Branch Office is prosecuting this case.

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

BOSTON – A New York man was convicted yesterday by a federal jury in Boston of sex trafficking a minor and forcing her to work at a strip club for his financial benefit. 

Sherriff Cooper, 37, was convicted of sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud and coercion; transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; and forced labor. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for June 5, 2024. Cooper was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2021.

“Justice was served here. Mr. Cooper abused his position of trust to violently exploit an innocent 15-year-old girl for his own financial benefit. The repeated violence and trauma he inflicted on the victim would be unimaginable if it wasn’t all so shockingly real. No verdict can erase the pain he caused, but we hope the young victim in this case and entire survivor community know that this Office will do everything in its power to hold dangerous predators accountable, and that this particular defendant will be off the streets for many years,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “This conviction does not happen without a tremendous, sustained effort by federal, state and local law enforcement partners who dedicate their professional lives to protect our children and ensure that exploitative traffickers like Mr. Cooper are held accountable.”

“The criminal acts that Sherriff Cooper were convicted of are stomach-churning,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Using physical threats to control another human being, to force them into sexual servitude, is unconscionable. It was imperative that FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Force take him off the street. Unequivocally, our community is safer with Mr. Cooper behind bars, locked away where he can’t victimize anyone else’s child.”

In 2017, Cooper was working as a security guard at a residential program for pregnant teens when he met the victim, who was then 15 years old. He began a sexual relationship with her and, in early 2018, Cooper began sex trafficking the victim around Boston, posting advertisements for her on commercial sex websites and taking all the proceeds. He used violence, threats of violence and coercion to make the victim engage in commercial sex for his financial benefit. 

Cooper transported the victim across state lines to sex traffic her in New York. While in New York, Cooper obtained a fake ID for the minor victim and forced her to strip at a club – again, keeping all the proceeds for himself. Cooper continued to use threats of violence, violence and coercion to keep the victim working at the club for his financial benefit. 

If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov. 

The charge of sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud and coercion provides for a sentence of a least 15 years and up to life in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of forced labor provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and SAC Cohen made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the FBI New York Field Division and the Malden Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Torey B. Cummings, Stephen W. Hassink and Lauren A. Graber of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. 

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

BILLINGS — A U.S. District Court judge on Feb. 20 convicted a Wyoming man for his role in arranging for commercial sex in Billings and then making false statements to federal investigators, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

After a one-day bench trial on Feb. 20, U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters found the defendant, Mark Jay Albrecht, 66, of Gillette, Wyoming, guilty of use of facility in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering and making a false statement as charged in a fourth superseding indictment. Albrecht faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on each crime.

The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for March 20 and continued Albrecht’s release pending further proceedings.

“Spinning a web of lies to federal agents about his efforts to engage in commercial sex activity has now made Albrecht a federal felon.  His desire and actions to have commercial sex contributed to the sex trafficking of a minor, for which the trafficker was previously held accountable by this office.  I applaud and thank our federal prosecutors, as well as the FBI, IRS, and Billings Police Department for their tenacity in holding Albrecht accountable for his deceit,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that on April 21, 2021, law enforcement responded to a report of possible commercial sex activity at the Quality Inn in Billings. Billings police officers knocked on the door of the suspect room and announced themselves. A woman, identified as Ashley Stella, of Reno, Nevada, Jane Doe 1, who was a minor at the time, and Albrecht emerged. Albrecht was seen buttoning up his shirt as he exited the room. Albrecht initially denied to police and FBI officers, who had responded to assist, that he was in the room for a sexual encounter and offered various stories about why he was there. Ultimately, Albrecht acknowledged going to the room to engage in commercial sex. Albrecht explained how he used a social media website to arrange for commercial sex and how he responded on Tryst using his cellphone. He showed law enforcement the cellphone messages setting up the meeting. Stella acknowledged in interviews that Albrecht was in the room for commercial sex, and that Jane Doe 1 traveled with her for the purpose of commercial sex. Following the events of April 21, 2021, law enforcement began a federal sex trafficking investigation.

As part of the sex trafficking investigation, Albrecht was issued a federal grand jury subpoena to testify about the events surrounding April 21, 2021. In anticipation of the grand jury appearance, Albrecht was invited to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for an interview in May 2021 to explain the grand jury process to him. FBI and IRS agents were present for that interview. Albrecht was informed several times that he was not a target of the investigation and that the only way he could get into trouble was to make false statements. Albrecht also was informed that making false statements to a federal agent was a crime. Despite these assurances, Albrecht repeatedly stated that he did not go to the Quality Inn for commercial sex but rather offered another story about why he was communicating with Stella. Albrecht never admitted he was soliciting commercial sex during his May 2021 interview, contrary to facts known by law enforcement. Stella was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for conviction of transportation of a minor to engage in prostitution.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI, IRS and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.

XXX

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man pleaded guilty in federal court here today to sex trafficking and racketeering.

The parties involved in this case have recommended a sentence of more than 19 years up to 25 years in prison for Terrael A. Alls, 29.

According to court documents, in February 2022, the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force received a tip from a Columbus Division of Police emergency operator. According to the tip, an individual had contacted authorities after receiving a business card from a man advertising a modeling agency.  The caller received the card at the Red Roof Inn on Renner Road in Columbus. The business card was for a company called Elite Diamond Studios and the advertised phone number were ultimately linked to Alls’s as well as various online sex escort advertisements.

Alls, who is also known as “Rell” and “Ace,” recruited women under the guise of modeling for him as a photographer. He served as a pimp for his victims, advertising them for sexual escort services on various websites. Alls transported his victims to and from hotels while giving them drugs, such as fentanyl and methamphetamine, then later using their drug dependency against them to continue profiting from their commercial sex acts. Alls was frequently physically abusive to his victims as well. For example, he fired a gun near a victim’s head and threatened to pistol-whip her. He also punched the victims and slammed them onto tables.

Alls kept the proceeds of the victims’ sexual encounters.

A forensic examination of Alls’s digital devices revealed location data or WiFi logins at several hotels, including Scarlet Inn in Worthington, Motel 6 in Grove City and Red Roof Inn in Columbus. The defendant’s laptop had more than 42,000 sexually explicit images, videos and advertisements to include images and videos of the victims identified in this case.

Alls was arrested in March 2023.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and Jennifer M. Rausch are representing the United States in this case.

The case was investigated by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, which was formed under Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, and includes resources from the Columbus Division of Police, Homeland Security Investigations, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Powell Police Department, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, The Ohio State University Police Department, Marysville Division of Police, Salvation Army, Southeast Healthcare, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office and the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office.

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Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

Thank you, Tony. And good afternoon, everyone.

We are all familiar with the horrors of human trafficking.

But I want to begin by highlighting just a few stories that capture the urgency of our work together.

Last year, the Justice Department secured a 35-year sentence and an order to pay nearly $1 million in restitution against an individual in Louisiana who used sexual abuse, violence, withholding of food, and other forms of abuse to compel multiple minors to work for his business.

The Department secured the sentences of a mother and son, for 30 and six years respectively, and an order to pay over $840,000 in restitution, for luring vulnerable victims from Mexico — some as young as 16 — and compelling them into commercial sex at the mother’s bar.

And the Department secured a sentence of six life terms in federal prison and an order to pay $68,000 in restitution against an individual who forced women struggling with homelessness or substance use disorders to engage in commercial sex.

These cases represent a small fraction of the work we have done to combat trafficking crimes and pursue justice for the victims.

Since our last meeting, the Justice Department has continued our work to implement our National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking.

That has included bringing human trafficking prosecutions across the country. During the last year, the Justice Department secured almost 300 convictions of defendants on both sex trafficking and labor trafficking charges.

The Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys also convened a Human Trafficking Working Group to guide all 94 U.S. Attorneys in combating human trafficking in their respective Districts.

The FBI established a specialized anti-trafficking team in its Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Unit to disseminate victim-centered, trauma-informed expertise to FBI’s 56 Field Offices.

The Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit led the interagency Forced Labor Initiative Steering Group in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting forced labor, with a focus on forced child labor crimes.

Last summer, the Department released its National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction which covers child sex trafficking and complements the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking.

And through the Department’s Office for Victims of Crime we issued over $95 million in grant funding for direct victim services and legal assistance, and for specialized training and technical assistance on the needs of labor trafficking victims.

In the year ahead, we plan to expand on this work across components and across the country.

The perpetrators of human trafficking prey on vulnerable people for profit. In so doing, they attempt to undermine not only victims’ sense of safety, but their dignity.

The Justice Department will continue to use every tool we have to combat human trafficking and to vindicate the rights of victims and survivors.

We look forward to continuing to work alongside each of you in that effort.

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – February 12, 2024

SAN DIEGO – Gabriel Joseph Gonzalez of Pomona, California was sentenced in federal court today to 12 years in prison for sex trafficking a 15-year-old girl in early 2023.

Gonzalez pleaded guilty in July 2023 to one count of sex trafficking of a minor. The victim was a runaway living at a group home in Los Angeles County when Gonzalez began trafficking her. Gonzalez had known the victim since she was 13. He enticed her to leave the group home to engage in commercial sex work for Gonzalez’s financial benefit. He then transported the victim to San Diego and forced her to walk areas known for prostitution on Dalbergia Street in San Diego and Roosevelt Avenue in National City.

During January 2023, Gonzalez forced the victim to engage in commercial sex work every day for seven straight days– except for the victim’s 16th birthday. He allowed her to take that day “off.”

The victim escaped by calling 911. She was rescued by the San Diego Police Department on January 26, 2023, and the case was turned over to the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force.

Even after entering a guilty plea in July 2023, Gonzalez attempted to continue to traffic the victim while in custody through jail calls. U.S. District Judge Larry Alan Burns pronounced the 12-year sentence, noting Gonzalez’s “absolute lack of remorse” in his conduct while in custody and his continued victimization of the minor.

“The victim’s courage to call 911 in this case was extraordinary,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Her trust in law enforcement demonstrated that when someone reports abuse, the public servants in this community are all hands on deck to bring abusers to justice.”

“Human trafficking and sexual exploitation of a minor is inexcusable,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “At the California Department of Justice, we are fighting to hold perpetrators accountable and help survivors get a fresh start. I’m thankful to all our partners for their collaboration in the California DOJ-led San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force. I’m proud of our office’s work to help uplift vulnerable Californians. When we work together, we get results.”

“The vital work being done by local and federal partners on the Human Trafficking Task Force to combat sex trafficking cannot be quantified,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “The violence or coercion that is committed against sex trafficking victims can have a lasting negative impact on the victim, their families, and the community for years to come.”

If you are living or working under threat of violence or extortion, or you suspect someone else may be, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center toll free, 24/7 Hotline: CALL: (888) 373-7888 or TEXT BeFree or 233733.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Ko and Lyndzie M. Carter.

DEFENDANTS                                             Case Number 23-cr-0513-LAB                              

Gabriel Joseph Gonzalez                                            Age: 20                                   Pomona, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Sex Trafficking of a Minor – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1591(a) and (b)(1)

Maximum penalty: Up to life in prison and $250,000 fine; Ten-year mandatory minimum sentence

AGENCY

San Diego Police Department

National City Police Department

Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Diego

San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Dinero Devon Washington, 46, of Phoenix, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi to 24 months in prison, to be followed by 36 months of supervised release. Washington pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens on September 7, 2023.

On April 16, 2021, Washington and his co-conspirator, Alina Pablo, approached the fixed Border Patrol checkpoint in Ajo in a Ford F-150. Border Patrol agents noted five other passengers in the vehicle, all wearing camouflaged clothing with backpacks and carpeting on their shoes, indicators of having recently crossed the border between Mexico and the United States. Questioning by agents confirmed that all five passengers were citizens and nationals of Mexico or Guatemala with no permission to enter the United States and had recently been picked up by Washington and Pablo. Subsequent searches of Washington’s cell phone revealed detailed evidence of the planning and logistics of the smuggling effort, including pin drops, maps, and text messages. Pablo, Washington’s co-conspirator, pleaded guilty to her role in the offense and will be sentenced later this year.

Homeland Security Investigations-Phoenix office conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis Uhl, District of Arizona, Yuma, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:            CR-22-00544-MTL-2
RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-116_Washington

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.