Sex Trafficking Ring Busted

(Houston) Eight suspects of El Salvadoran origin have been charged for allegedly conspiring to smuggle Central and South American girls and women into the United States for prostitution. According to federal authorities, a sweep also resulted in approximately 100 Central and South American women and girls being taken into custody in connection with various immigration issues.

From HoustonChronicle.com:

The defendants allegedly enticed the victims from their homes in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras and smuggled them into the country through the Mexican border, then forced them to work at the suspects' businesses to pay off their smuggling fees. Authorities said the victims were coerced into sitting and dancing with customers, as well as submitting to their sexual demands.

Arrested Sunday were Maximino Mondragon, 57; Victor Omar Lopez, 38; Oscar Mondragon, 47; Walter Alexander Corea, 39; Kerin Josue Silva, 19; Olga Mondragon, 45; Maria Fuentes, 35; and Lorenza Reynosa.

All eight are charged with conspiring to recruit and transport young Central and South American women and girls for purposes of prostitution. If convicted of conspiracy, each faces a possible five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Interestingly, the federal bust of the El Salvadoran sex trafficking operation was reported at the same time it was announced that illegal aliens from El Salvador have become the largest other than Mexican (OTM) group in the U.S. This is particularly troublesome since convicted violent criminals, including notorious Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang members, are in the mix of those being smuggled into the country. To illustrate, an October 31 deportation load was comprised of 13 Mara Salvatrucha gangsters and 57 other convicted criminals, all from El Salvador.

Since illegally sauntering across the border is a crime without punishment, I imagine every one of the convicted and all of the MS-13 gang members will be back in the U.S. soon. And, adding to everyone's frustration, they'll probably bring along their buddies. After all, crossing the U.S.-Mexican border is like having an all-day pass at Disney World. There's no charge to take the ride over and over and over.

Companion post at In The Bullpen.