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Charlotte Trio Indicted in Child Sex Trafficking Ring
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A chilling case of exploitation has come to light in Charlotte, with a man, his wife, and his mother facing federal charges for allegedly conspiring to sex traffic three minor victims. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on April 20, 2017, paints a disturbing picture of calculated abuse and profiteering.
Zerrell Ross Fuentes, 22, Brianna Leshay Wright, a.k.a. Brianna Fuentes, 24, and Tanya Marie Fuentes, 53, all of Charlotte, are accused of one count of sex trafficking conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking of a minor, and three counts of transportation of a minor to engage in prostitution. Brianna Wright and Tanya Fuentes also face an additional count of sex trafficking of a minor. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Jill Westmoreland Rose, announced the charges today.
The indictment details a scheme allegedly carried out between April 28, 2016, and May 8, 2016. Investigators say the Fuentes family conspired to recruit, entice, harbor, transport, and provide three minors for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts. The operation wasn’t confined to Charlotte; the indictment alleges the victims were transported across state lines to facilitate prostitution. What’s particularly galling? The alleged motive: funding Zerrell Fuentes’ release from jail.
According to court documents, Zerrell Fuentes, even while incarcerated, allegedly used a telephone to recruit the minor victims. He then arranged their transportation to Myrtle Beach, intending they engage in commercial sex acts to generate funds for his bond. Brianna Wright and Tanya Fuentes allegedly acted as drivers, transporting the victims by car. Once in Myrtle Beach, Tanya Fuentes reportedly footed the bill for lodging, while Brianna Wright allegedly handled online advertising, posting ads for the minors and providing a contact number for arranging “dates.”
This wasn’t just about transportation and lodging. Brianna Wright allegedly facilitated the entire process, from advertising the victims to transporting them to and from the arranged prostitution encounters. The stakes are incredibly high: each of the eight sex trafficking related offenses carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life, along with a $250,000 fine. Zerrell Fuentes also faces up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine for a separate federal firearms violation.
Zerrell Fuentes is currently in custody on the firearms charge and will be arraigned on the sex trafficking allegations. Brianna Wright and Tanya Fuentes are scheduled to appear in court this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Cayer. It’s crucial to remember that these are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The investigation was a collaborative effort by the FBI, ICE/Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD). Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimlani Ford is prosecuting the case.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Human Trafficking|Sex Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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