Related Federal Cases
- Eight illegal immigrants, Interstate Human Trafficking Conspiracy, … · Georgia
- Wellspring Living, Human Trafficking, GA 2023 · Mississippi
- No Defendant Name Found, Sex Trafficking, Highlands County FL, 2023 · Florida
- James “Jimmy” Smith, Sex Trafficking Ring Leader, Atlanta GA, 2023 · Georgia
- Antawan Hudson, Sex Trafficking of Minors, Tampa FL, 2023 · Florida
Four Sentenced in Human Trafficking Ring
WASHINGTON – A federal court has handed down severe sentences to four defendants involved in a massive human trafficking operation targeting young Mexican women in the Atlanta area.
Juan Cortes-Meza, 33, of Mexico, received a 16-year, eight-month prison term, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $57,600 in restitution to the victim. Raul Cortes-Meza, 22, of Mexico, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $7,000 in restitution. Edison Wagner Rosa Tort, 71, of Cartersville, Ga., was sentenced to five years in prison, with three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $57,000 in restitution. Otto Jaime Larios Perez, 27, of Guatemala, was sentenced to two years, six months in prison, with three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $3,600 in restitution.
The operation, which took place from Spring 2006 through June 2008, involved the recruitment and enticement of approximately 10 victims from Mexico, who were then forced into prostitution for the financial benefit of the conspirators.
According to court documents, the defendants would lure the women to the U.S. by promising better lives, legitimate employment, or romantic relationships. Once in the country, the victims were compelled to engage in commercial sex acts with numerous men every night, with the defendants collecting the money they earned.
U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates stated, ‘The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to dismantling sex-trafficking organizations that operate in the Northern District of Georgia. Those who enslave and sell young women for sex, or who profit from it, must be held accountable.’
Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Rights Division, added, ‘These four defendants committed heinous crimes against vulnerable women and girls who dreamed of better lives in the United States. Driven by greed, these defendants robbed their victims of basic human rights and dignities.’
The sentencing of these defendants marks a significant victory in the fight against human trafficking, and serves as a reminder of the Department of Justice’s commitment to holding traffickers accountable and restoring the lives of their victims.
ICE Office of Investigations Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Smith stated, ‘These traffickers exhibited a callous disregard for the lives of the victims whom they exploited for money. While we cannot undo the terrible experiences that they endured, we hope that today’s sentencing gives them some sense of closure.’
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Human TraffickingHuman TraffickingHuman TraffickingHuman Trafficking