wxin-human-trafficking-human-trafficking-ring-busted-on-indianapolis-northwest-side-20110504
Indianapolis—
Wednesday afternoon, federal authorities announced the bust of a major multi-state human trafficking ring which allegedly brought women in from across U.S. borders to work as prostitutes serving the Hispanic community on the northwest side of Indianapolis.Seven people (four men and three women) appeared in Federal Magistrate Kennard Foster's courtroom Tuesday morning. There were 16 people listed in arrest warrants taken as police and federal agents conducted nine search warrants on Tuesday. It was revealed in court Tuesday that other suspects remain as fugitives and some were taken into custody in other jurisdictions. A total of 19 people were arrested. The operation focused on bringing women from Central America and worked among four Midwestern cities. Investigators say the ring may have been in business for the last 10 years and was operated by three brothers who used intimidation and beatings to enforce discipline.
The charges involve conspiracy and racketeering. According to a federal public defender, those charges may lead to more serious allegations once the case is presented before a grand jury. The case apparently lies on extensive wiretap evidence. One woman, Solangel Estrella, was advised she will face state charges of obstruction of justice and being an accessory after the fact for allegedly calling another suspect to warn that person as the raid on a west side location was going down.
Agents from the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force were present in the courtroom during the initial hearing. The two separate raids began at 2 p.m. Tuesday as officers and agents representing the FBI and backed up by IMPD departed the metro police northwest district headquarters near Lafayette Square Mall in caravans of 8-10 vehicles, including a truck packed with heavily armed and armored federal agents.
One of the locations hit was the Lawrence Crossing Apartmens near 42nd Street and Franklin Road where the manager was told by the FBI that Apt. 144 at 4208 Martin Court West was a safehosue for the operation. Two men, a woman and several records were removed from that apartment.
"The organization that was operating out of Indianapolis over the course of the last couple years was headed by three brothers," said U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett.
"Each particular service was $40-50 per occurrence. They had multiple houses operating throughout multiple states each day of the week" said Asst. U.S. Attorney Brad Shepard.
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