Miguel Aguilar, Attempted Sex Trafficking, Colorado 2013

sextrafficking

A 20-year-old Brighton, Colorado man has been sentenced to 36 months in prison for attempting to traffic a 13-year-old girl for sex. Miguel Aguilar was convicted of Attempted Trafficking with Respect to Involuntary Servitude and Forced Labor, charges that stem from an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2013 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Aguilar was one of nine men arrested and federally indicted as a result of the operation, which targeted persons willing to pay to have sex with underage girls. According to prosecutors, Aguilar responded to a law enforcement-generated Internet advertisement that purported to offer young girls for sex, and he negotiated the terms of a sexual encounter with a fictitious 13-year-old girl.

He was then met with an undercover agent who was posing as someone who could provide the young girl for sex. The negotiated price was a quarter-ounce of marijuana, and Aguilar had the marijuana in his possession. Aguilar will also be required to register as a sex offender and pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The investigation was conducted by the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rapid City Police Department, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Meade County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Aguilar was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing, which was handed down by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court, on January 8, 2015.

The case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat sex trafficking and protect vulnerable populations. It also serves as a reminder of the risks associated with online activities and the importance of reporting suspicious behavior to law enforcement.

Aguilar’s sentence is a significant consequence for his actions, and it reflects the gravity of the crime. As our community continues to grapple with the issue of sex trafficking, it is essential that we remain vigilant and committed to supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.

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