Category: USDJ Human Trafficking

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Steven Gonzalez a/k/a Steven Hernandez, a/k/a Steve, a/k/a Stevie, a/k/a Unc, 48, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to sex trafficking by coercion, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel L. Violanti and Caitlin M. Higgins, who are handling the case, stated that between 2012 and March 2015, Gonzalez coerced a minor, identified as A.N., to engage in commercial sex acts. Gonzalez provided A.N. with cocaine in exchange for sex knowing that A.N. was physically addicted to cocaine. Gonzalez used A.N.’s addiction to cocaine and other drugs to keep A.N. dependent on himself and to coerce A.N. to engage in commercial sex acts with him directly.

In addition, between 2012 and 2013, Gonzalez coerced another minor identified as  B.E. to engage in commercial sex acts. Gonzalez provided B.E. with heroin in exchange for sex, knowing that B.E. was physically addicted to heroin. Gonzalez used B.E.’s addiction to keep B.E. dependent on himself and to coerce B.E. to engage in commercial sex acts with him directly.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 26, 2024, before Judge Sinatra.  

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Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

INTERPOL Washington’s Project Terminus team, with support from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), has deployed advanced technology, hardware, and software solutions in Barbados, significantly boosting the island nation’s capabilities to detect and intercept transnational criminals and terrorists.

The newly installed software applications, the Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) Workbench and the Stolen Motor Vehicles (SMV) Workbench, enable Barbados to seamlessly share, manage, and extend critical information from INTERPOL databases and its 196 member countries. Barbados is now CARICOM’s first INTERPOL partner nation to implement these solutions.

“Barbados has just made history in CARICOM by implementing these innovative solutions, significantly advancing the safety and security of its citizens, the region, and the world,” said INTERPOL Washington Acting Director Jeffrey Grimming. “More nations are recognizing the benefits of leveraging INTERPOL resources in the fight against crime and terrorism. By enabling other governments to detect threats before they reach our borders, Project Terminus simultaneously protects partner nations and communities across America.”

The applications include 11,000 test records and 41 live records that have already been successfully uploaded to the INTERPOL SLTD database. INTERPOL National Central Bureau Barbados, which facilitated the partnership, also provided assistance for this initiative.

Lt. Col. Michael Jones, Executive Director of CARICOM IMPACS, stated that this is just one example of the Agency partnering to secure the region’s Member States from criminal elements and regional and international terrorism threats. “CARICOM IMPACS has been working and will continue to work assiduously to secure our nation’s borders,” he added.

INTERPOL Washington’s Project Terminus, a collaborative effort with the U.S. Department of State, aims to enhance INTERPOL screening and record submission by member countries by providing cutting-edge computer hardware and custom software solutions. These initiatives are designed to streamline service adoption and maximize data usability and effectiveness.

Beyond its primary goal of capacity-building, Project Terminus is pivotal in supporting the broader U.S. government law enforcement mission. By fostering connections between U.S. government law enforcement agencies and partner nation entities, this project enhances the law enforcement capabilities of partner nations and helps build a safer world.

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – July 25, 2024

SAN DIEGO – David Warren of Las Vegas was sentenced in federal court today to 10 years in prison for coercing three women to engage in prostitution and transporting them from Las Vegas to San Diego for that purpose.

Authorities found the women after one victim approached a San Diego lifeguard to ask for help on September 12, 2023, at Mission Beach. The victim said she was trafficked from Las Vegas and wanted help. The lifeguard immediately notified San Diego Police. The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force quickly located and recovered the other two victims at a local hotel and arrested Warren.

According to his plea agreement, Warren preyed on and trafficked the victims—one of whom was homeless and vulnerable to substance abuse–through violence, threats of violence, and emotional abuse. Once Warren and the women were in San Diego, he took the victims to various beaches to solicit customers.

“Profiteers exploit victims of human trafficking anywhere they think they can take advantage, even on the beach in daylight,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “This brave woman saved herself and others by trusting a San Diego lifeguard who immediately jumped into action.”

“The DOJ-led San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force is laser-focused on holding human traffickers accountable in San Diego County,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta.  “We must work together across every level of government and society to help bring human trafficking to an end. No one agency can do it all alone. I am grateful to our local, state and federal partners for holding traffickers accountable and creating a real, lasting impact on survivors.”

“This circumstance was not the typical rescue our lifeguards perform,” said Marine Safety Captain Maureen Hodges. “However, we were glad to be of service and keep this victim safe while notifying San Diego Police that she needed assistance.”

“The San Diego Police Department is a proud member of the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force (SDHTTF),” said Chief Scott Wahl. “The suspect in this case used violence and manipulation to control his victims.  Thankfully, due to the quick action of the SDPD and SDHTTF, Warren was arrested and all three victims in the case were rescued.  SDPD remains committed to utilizing every resource to rescue victims of human trafficking, while holding their traffickers accountable.”

 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. Attorneys Derek Ko and Lyndzie M. Carter.  

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 23-cr-2102-JLS                   

David Warren                                                 Age: 37                                   Las Vegas, NV

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Transportation for Purpose of Prostitution – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2421(a)

Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine

Coercion and Enticement – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2422(a)

Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations

San Diego Police Department

San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force

City of San Diego, Fire-Rescue Department, Lifeguard Services Division

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court for transporting a minor to New York and Connecticut to engage in commercial sex.

Leon Blount III, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 136 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. The court also ordered Blount to pay restitution to victims totaling $214,500. In January 2024, Blount pleaded guilty to three counts of transportation of minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He has been in custody since September 2022. 

“Human trafficking is not just a horrific crime; it is a profound violation of human dignity. The unimaginable harm inflicted upon the minor victim here is far too prevalent in our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Our Civil Rights Unit & Human Trafficking Unit, established less than two years ago, remains committed to bringing traffickers to justice, providing unwavering support to survivors and relentlessly pursuing those who exploit the most vulnerable.”

“Blount found a young woman in a vulnerable situation and lured her far from home into a dangerous and exploitative lifestyle for his financial benefit. Today’s sentence means Blount is now facing over a decade in federal prison and he’ll be off the streets and out of the community where he caused so much harm,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “We hope this significant sentence brings a measure of justice to those he victimized. Human traffickers use isolation, threats, and financial exploitation to control their victims, making it incredibly difficult to leave – but there is hope and there is help available. We are grateful to the law enforcement and victim support services who worked together to bring this case to a close.”

Between July and August 2022, Blount transported a 17-year-old victim, Jane Doe 2, from Massachusetts to New York and Connecticut to engage in commercial sex for his financial benefit. Blount met Jane Doe 2 while she was living at a Massachusetts group home for transitional age adolescents. He gave her alcohol and marijuana, and quickly recruited Jane Doe 2 to travel out-of-state to engage in commercial sex. While in New York, Blount directed Jane Doe 2 to solicit sex buyers in an area that is known for commercial sex. Throughout this period, Blount stayed in close contact with Jane Doe 2, using text messages to ensure that she continued to perform sex acts when he was not physically present. To attract more sex buyers, Blount caused Jane Doe 2’s photo to be posted on websites that advertise commercial sex. He then put Jane Doe 2 in hotel rooms in Woburn, Mass. and Hartford, Conn. where he directed her to perform sex acts with buyers to earn even more money for him. During this period, Jane Doe 2 was afraid of Blount, having seen him laugh at another trafficker who used violence against one of that trafficker’s victims.

If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking please visit https://polarisproject.org/ for information and resources. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian A. Fogerty of the Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit prosecuted the case.
 

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

DETROIT – Darrick Bell, the leader of a large-scale drug conspiracy that operated out of the former Victory Inn hotel in Dearborn, Michigan, was sentenced today to 28 years in prison based on his conviction on drug trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. 

Joining Ison in the announcement was Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, Detroit, Charles Miller, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office and Chief James White, Detroit Police Department.

Bell, age 55, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Mark A. Goldsmith. 

The charges on which Bell was convicted stemmed from the operation of a large-scale drug operation Bell created utilizing the Victory Inn, a motel formerly located next to the main drag for prostitution on Michigan Avenue.

The trial, which began on April 12, 2022, and concluded on June 2, 2022, involved more than 20 witnesses, including several of Bell’s co-conspirators and victims, along with hundreds of exhibits. The jury convicted Bell on three drug-related counts. The jury acquitted Bell on one count involving sex trafficking and was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the remaining four counts involving sex trafficking.

The evidence presented at trial showed that as a part of the drug conspiracy, Bell sold drugs to vulnerable women to control them and used them to keep drug customers coming to the Victory Inn. Bell turned the Victory Inn into his own drug distribution business by gaining control of rooms at the hotel and moving his drug-dealing co-conspirators onto the premises.  According to witness testimony, Bell employed drug dealers and enforcers to use manipulation, drugs, and violence to control the Victory Inn. There was often no vacancy at the Victory Inn because the rooms were full of women and victims living in unspeakable conditions as severe drug addicts. Bell would supply drugs to these women. The women would use the drugs, engage in commercial sex acts, and then would use the money from their dates to purchase more drugs. The women were trapped in a vicious cycle of addiction, which Bell exploited for financial gain. Bell and his co-conspirators would use violence or the threat of violence to ensure that the women continuously paid their ever-growing drug debt. This would include physically striking them or withholding drugs so they would go through excruciating withdrawal symptoms. In one instance, Bell shaved the head of one of the women.

“Today’s sentencing closes a chapter on the house of horrors that was the Victory Inn. Just as the motel was demolished, so too was the drug network Bell had organized and led for nearly a year.  Bell’s rein and control over the women living at the Victory Inn was nothing short of abhorrent,” said U.S. Attorney Ison.  “Bell’s attempt at evading justice for over two and a half years failed, and he will now spend the next 35 years in prison for his actions.”

“This sentencing is the culmination of years of hard work from the men and women of HSI Detroit,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “I commend the HSI special agents, law enforcement partners, prosecutors, and support personnel who were relentless in their pursuit of justice. We must remain vigilant moving forward and ensure that similar trafficking organizations are promptly reported and dismantled before they can take root in our communities. Lastly and most importantly, it is my hope that this sentence brings some measure of comfort and resolution to the victims in this case.”

“Today’s sentencing shows the power that law enforcement collaboration has to protect victims by stopping violent criminals who believe they can commit heinous acts without consequence,” said Chief James E. White. “The hardworking women and men of the Detroit Police Department remain committed to working with our partners to root out violence and make Detroit a safer place for all.”

This investigation resulted in 9 individuals being charged with various drug and sex trafficking offenses. The remaining defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by agents of Homeland Security Investigations.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome Gorgon, Matthew Roth, Blake Hatlem, and Lisandra Fernandez-Silber.

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

Defendant transported multiple women across state lines to engage in prostitution

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging a dual citizen, living in Pennsylvania, who traveled to Salt Lake City for the purpose of paying for and obtaining tourist visas to promote the illegal smuggling of foreign nationals into the United States. 

According to court documents, Sivarupan Sivaramalingam, 43, of Malvern, PA, was arrested on June 20, 2024, following a criminal investigation into a human smuggling organization. Working in an undercover capacity, an agent with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations was introduced to Sivaramalingam. Sivaramalingam believed that the undercover agent could provide means of entry into the United States for foreign nationals. Communicating through a mobile application used for instant messaging and voice-over-IP service, Sivaramalingam told the undercover agent he would pay approximately $12,500 U.S dollars, per foreign national, for an entry visa or some other valid document to enter the United States. 

On April 8, 2024, Sivaramalingam traveled to Salt Lake City to meet the undercover agent and further discuss the illegal services mentioned for foreign nationals. Sivaramalingam provided the undercover agent hard copies of five Sri Lankan nationals’ passports and asked the agent to process the foreign nationals to obtain entry into the United States. During the meeting, Sivaramalingam and the undercover agent agreed to an initial down payment for the services in the amount of approximately $5,000 to start the process. On April 18, 2024, Sivaramalingam sent a picture of a bank receipt for $5,000 to the undercover agent via the phone app. The next day, the undercover agent received and confirmed that the $5,000 bank transfer was successfully deposited into his account. During May and June, communication continued between Sivaramalingam and the undercover agent and the undercover agent notified Sivaramalingam that he had acquired B1/B2 tourist visas for all five Sri Lankan nationals. B1/B2 tourist visas are not actually valid entry documents, nor authorized, for travel or entry into the U.S. 

On June 20, 2024, Sivaramalingam and the undercover agent met again in Salt Lake City for Sivaramalingam to receive the tourist visas and pay another $6,000 for the undercover agent’s services. It was agreed the rest would be paid upon successful entry of the foreign nationals into the U.S. During the exchange, the undercover agent told Sivaramalingam that the process of getting the visas was not legal or legitimate.  

As alleged in the complaint, the human smuggling organization is believed to be based in the United States, but is smuggling foreign nationals into the U.S. from all over the world, namely India and Sri Lanka. 

Sivaramalingam is charged with Alien smuggling, and human trafficking with respect to involuntary servitude and forced labor. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for July 12, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. 

United States Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.

The case is being investigated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Oparations (ERO), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Assistant United States Attorney Carlos Esqueda of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case. 

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

Five people involved in sex trafficking a 17-year-old girl have been sentenced to a combined 63 ½ years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

They include:

• Jaelind Fountaine, 27, who was sentenced today to 327 months in prison for sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking of a minor and required to register as a sex offender
• Sarah Gonzales, 26,  who was previously sentenced to 87 months for interstate transportation to engage in prostitution and required to register as a sex offender
• Cameron Phifer, 25, who was sentenced to 240 months for distribution and receipt of child pornography and required to register as a sex offender
• Deryan Thomas, 33, who was sentenced to 87 months for interstate transportation to engage in prostitution and required to register as a sex offender
• Bianka Vega, 23, who was sentenced to 21 months for misprision (concealment) of a felony

“As a prosecutor and as a mother, my heart breaks for this teenager, who was passed from trafficker to trafficker like a piece of livestock, beaten and even branded by violent men looking to profit from her misery. No person, adult or child, should have to suffer like that,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will stop at nothing to recover these victims, and we tenaciously prosecute anyone involved in trafficking them.”

According to plea papers, the 17-year-old victim went missing from her apartment complex in Lubbock on Nov. 28, 2022.

The investigation revealed that her neighbor and neighbor’s boyfriend, Bianka Vega and Deryan Thomas, took the child to Odessa to meet with known sex trafficker Cameron Phifer. The four of them then drove to Carlsbad, New Mexico, where they took sexually explicit photographs of the child and posted ads for her sexual services online.

At one point, Ms. Vega reminded Mr. Phifer that the victim was a minor, and informed him that both her mother and law enforcement were looking for her. Phifer told Ms. Vega it was “too late to stop,” and continued trafficking the child until abandoning her at a hotel in Carlsbad in early January.

On Jan. 15, Sarah Gonzales approached the victim in the hotel lobby, and later introduced her to Jaelind Fountaine, a known trafficker who went by the alias “Valentino.”

In an interview with law enforcement, the child said Mr. Fountaine arranged for meetings with clients, taught her how to engage in the sex trade, and took all the money she made – approximately $10,000.  She said that she believed she would receive some of that money, but in the end, she never did.

The child told investigators that Mr. Fountaine physically assaulted her on multiple occasions, threatened to hurt her if she left him, and forced her to “brand” herself with a “V” tattoo to indicate his ownership of her.  Law enforcement found photos of the tattoo on Mr. Fountaine’s phone. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – Lubbock Resident Agency, and the Lubbock, Abilene, and Carlsbad Police Departments conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Callie Woolam, Jeff Haag, and Matt McLeod prosecuted the case.

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

ALBUQUERQUE – A Tularosa man was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm while engaged in a scheme to transport undocumented immigrants.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on January 18, 2023, a U.S. Border Patrol Agent observed suspicious driving behavior from a vehicle traveling northbound on Highway 185 near Las Cruces, New Mexico. The vehicle was moving slower than the posted speed limit and drifting across lanes. After making evasive maneuvers, the vehicle eventually stopped near an abandoned residence outside Las Cruces.

The agent made contact with the driver, identified as Castulo Amaya, 39, and explained that he had stopped to conduct a welfare check. During the interaction, Amaya exhibited increasingly erratic behavior, yelling at the vehicle occupants to record the encounter and claiming harassment.

When questioned, Amaya claimed that the vehicle’s occupants were his children and relatives. However, upon inspection, the agent determined that six individuals in the rear seat were aliens illegally present in the United States. All provided rehearsed responses claiming they were from Las Cruces. The front seat passenger was identified as Vanessa Rodriguez-Solorio, a U.S. citizen. Rodriguez-Solorio admitted to being hired by Amaya to transport people for money and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.

During a search incident to arrest, a loaded semi-automatic pistol was found concealed under Amaya‘s sweatshirt. As a previously convicted felon, Amaya knew that he was prohibited from owning firearms or ammunition.

Upon his release from prison, Amaya will be subject to 3 years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Anthony “Scott” Good, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector, made the announcement today.

The U.S. Border Patrol investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Ry Ellison is prosecuting the case.

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Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)