Silvio Clark Morales, Sex Trafficking, Florida 2017

Miami Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking

A 31-year-old Miami resident has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking six Cuban victims, according to a recent sentencing announcement.

Silvio Clark Morales, originally from Cuba, pleaded guilty in April 2017 to six counts of sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591(a)(1), and one count of conspiracy to encourage and induce illegal aliens to reside in the United States, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(I).

According to court records, Morales tricked the six victims into traveling from Cuba to the United States via Mexico, where they were promised work as 'dancers.' However, upon arrival in Miami, Morales forced them to work at various strip clubs and as prostitutes, using threats, physical assault, and debt bondage to keep them in compliance.

Morales also brandished a firearm to intimidate the victims and, on one occasion, physically assaulted one of them, threatening to throw her into the Everglades to be eaten by alligators.

Silvio Clark Morales has been ordered to pay restitution to his victims as part of his sentence. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida led the investigation, which was conducted in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations and local law enforcement agencies.

The South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force, of which the U.S. Attorney's Office is a part, works to increase public awareness, rescue victims, and prosecute traffickers. The task force is composed of federal, state, and local agencies, as well as non-law enforcement entities like service providers and victim advocates.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Widlanski. Related court documents can be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/miami-resident-sentenced-30-years-prison-sex-trafficking