ORLANDO, FL – In a shocking case of child exploitation, Luis E. Morales, a self-proclaimed ‘Apostle’ of the En Fuego for Jesus ministry, has been sentenced to life in federal prison for child sex trafficking and transporting children across state lines to engage in sexual activity.
According to court documents, Morales, 58, of Ormond Beach, was convicted on November 5, 2012, of transporting a 12-year-old ministry member from Florida to Connecticut in November 2009, knowing that the minor would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act.
His co-defendant, Rebeca Rivera, 28, of Hartford, Connecticut, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for her role in aiding and abetting the sex trafficking of a child and the transportation of a child across state lines to engage in sexual activity.
Rivera was also ordered to pay $31,030 in restitution to the victim of her offenses, to serve 10 years of supervised release, and to register as a sex offender.
The En Fuego Ministry, founded by Morales, was a church-like organization that he claimed was a place of worship and spiritual guidance for his followers. However, investigators found that the ministry was actually a front for Morales’ child sex trafficking operation.
As part of their scheme, Morales and Rivera would recruit young girls from the ministry and transport them to other states, where they would be forced to engage in commercial sex acts.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen L. Gable.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the federal government to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Related Federal Cases
- Hernandez-Velazquez Gets 15+ Years for Brutal Sex Trafficking · Mississippi
- Naomi Ruth Smith on Trial for Child Sex Trafficking · Georgia
- Florida Pilot Gets 85 Months for Cocaine Trafficking Role · Connecticut
- Fla. Man Gets 121-Month Sentence for Child Porn & Enticement · New Jersey
- Duhamel Cassagnol Gets 17 Years for Sex Trafficking · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
ðŸâ€â€™ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
