A Tennessee mother-son duo with ties to a notorious Venezuelan street gang were among eight people indicted in a sex trafficking ring that prosecutors say lured immigrants to the U.S., only to force them into prostitution.
Federal prosecutors alleged that the sex trafficking ring would facilitate the arrival of the victims to the United States. Once in the country, they used online advertisements to attract clients and set up sexual encounters at various motels.
"This indictment demonstrates our commitment to stop human trafficking whenever and wherever we find it and to hold those involved accountable," said Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee. "We are coming after transnational criminal organizations like (Tren da Aragua), but this case shows that we will also do whatever it takes to stop those who would traffick women and girls no matter who is behind their suffering."
Among those charged were mother and son Yilibeth del Carmen Rivero-De Caldera, 51, and Kleiver Daniel Mota-Rivero, 35. Also indicted was Yuribetzi Del Valle Gomez Machuca, 39. All three were charged with sex trafficking conspiracy, federal prosecutors said. Authorities allege that the three conspired to use force, fraud, and coercion to compel women to engage in commercial sex acts for their profit. If convicted of the conspiracy charge, the defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Prosecutors allege that the three invoked alleged ties to the Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) and used its reputation for violence as part of the coercion.
Rivero-De Caldera and Mota-Rivero also are charged with conspiring to impose a coercive debt scheme upon the victims to compel them to continue engaging in commercial sex acts until the created debts were repaid.
"The trafficking of human beings is abhorrent to all of us, it's a modern-day form of slavery," said Chief John Drake of the Metro Nashville Police. "I want to be very clear, our police department will always make human trafficking an investigative priority regardless of where the suspects are from and will work with our partners for an intentional and coordinated law enforcement response."
The indictment further charges defendant Mota-Rivero with one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
"The success of this operation to stop Tren da Aragua operating in our communities is a significant step forward in our ongoing battle against human trafficking and transnational organized crime," said Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville. "This investigation exemplifies the importance of collaboration among local, state, and federal agencies in ending these crimes in our communities while leaving a trail of suffering in their wake."
Also facing charges were Wilmarys Del Valle Manzano Solorzano, 22; Frankyanna Del Valle Romero-Rivero, 30; Endrik Alexander Morales-Rivero, 25; Jesus Enrique Castillo Rodriguez, 24; and Ariannys Beatriz Gutierrez-Carrillo, 24.
A grand jury in the Middle District of Tennessee previously returned the four-count indictment charging all eight defendants for their respective roles in facilitating the recruitment of young women from impoverished parts of Venezuela and other South and Central American countries, prosecutors said. They then facilitated their transportation across the U.S. southern border and across state lines to engage in commercial sex in the Nashville area.
"Human trafficking is among the most heinous crimes the FBI encounters," said Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "This devastating crime exploits vulnerable members of communities nationwide, including those in Tennessee. The FBI and our partners are committed to rescuing victims, investigating and prosecuting traffickers, and supporting survivors."
