http://www.planetjh.com/wyatt_2006_09_27_ring.html

More charges in alleged child-sex ring
By Andrew Wyatt

9.27.06

A judge here has bound one person over for trial for his role in an alleged prostitution ring and another person, already in custody in connection with the investigation, now faces a slew of additional charges.

"A third alleged victim in her 20s, believed to be of Caucasian and Hispanic descent..."
Circuit Court Magistrate Frank Hess found enough evidence last week in a preliminary hearing to bind a 32-year-old Idaho man over for trial. He currently faces 18 felony charges, including the alleged kidnapping and prostitution of a 13-year-old girl smuggled from Mexico. Meanwhile, an ammended affdavit, filed Sept. 21, revealed that a local restaurant owner already held in custody in connection with the case now faces 19 felony charges including promoting prostitution, kidnapping, and 13 counts of first degree sexual assault. Originally, he faced three felony counts. During his preliminary hearing held last week Hess set the suspect's bail at $100,000. First-degree sexual assault has a minimum penalty of five years and a life sentence if being sentenced on two or more separate acts.

Police say the alleged alien-labor and child sex-slave ring involves at least 12 illegal immigrants and two underage Mexican girls. A third alleged victim in her 20s, believed to be of Caucasian and Hispanic descent, has likely left the area, police say. Last week authorities released the name of one suspect in connection with the case, Armando Salas, a 26-year-old.

Deputy Teton County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Hultman filed for the motion for limited disclosure of the defendant that allowed his name to be released.

Local authorities are concerned that the suspect has fled the area, and they hope that releasing additional information to the public may lead to his capture, Hultman said.

Salas is one of five suspects charged in connection with an alleged criminal ring in Jackson involving a 13-year-old girl smuggled from Mexico and allegedly forced to work as a prostitute. Affadavits filed by the Teton County Attorney's Office allege the prostitution happened in March and April 2004.

Court documents state the 13-year-old girl was offered a trip to the United States from Mexico, only to be forced to become a prostitute after arriving in Jackson.